Fibrex FRP Piping Systems, 1036 Industrial Park Drive, Victoria, TX (2026)

10/30/2023

VISUAL INSPECTIONS OF FRP TANKS & PIPES IS NOT DIFFICULT

Like most assets, the service life of FRP tanks and pipes can be maximized with proper maintenance. But many owners don't realize that proper maintenance starts with visual inspections, some of which can be performed by owners or users.
For tanks holding highly corrosive substances an annual inspection is warranted, but for less corrosive substances, every other year or even less often is satisfactory. Diamond Fiberglass recommends owners schedule inspections using a risk-based approach. This may vary the inspection period based on the service, asset life, condition from last inspection, and criticality to operations.
If the FRP tanks or pipes are large or difficult to access, complete visual inspections performed by owners may not be possible, but even partial inspections can be beneficial.
No destructive testing or complicated instruments are required. If an inspection reveals an anomaly, service technicians can be scheduled for a more complete and sophisticated inspection to determine if/when repairs are needed.
These visual inspections are often no more than a walk around to examine the exterior followed by a look inside, either manually or via cameras and borescopes. A key thing is to determine the condition of the corrosion liner and internal secondary bonds.
What to look for:
Evidence of leaks
Stress fractures (cracks)
Bulges or indentations
Misalignments
Condition of fasteners & gaskets
Unusual color changes
Fibers showing
FRP tanks & pipes that are not maintained properly can suffer significantly shorter service lives. Don't ignore yours!
For more information regarding FRP tank & pipe inspections, visit diamondservices.com or diamondfiberglass.com.

07/31/2023

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH FRP SPECIFICATIONS Obviously, specifications serve an important function in the design and fabrication of custom engineered FRP equipment. Most are written by knowledgeable engineers who are tasked with ensuring that the equipment fabricated to these specifications performs well and has a long lifespan. Yet sometimes, specifications are not followed during the design or fabrication stages (or followed closely enough), and if noncompliance is discovered, not rectified sufficiently for complete compliance. Usually the FRP fabricator gets blamed, but other stakeholders suffer as well, such as project engineers, third party inspectors, installation contractors, and end users.

Not enforcing or complying with specifications can give the entire industry a black eye when FRP equipment fails as a result. In a corrosive environment, a failure can cause serious environmental and public relations issues and possibly injure people. Specifications should be taken seriously to help ensure these problems never occur.

Here's a partial list of some of the more common places where FRP equipment specifications are not met:

Insufficient Liner Thickness
Insufficient Structural Thickness
Incorrect Resin Selection
Insufficient Tee & Fl**ge Tabbing
Poor Secondary Bonding Procedures
Excess Void Content
FOD (Foreign Object Debris) in Laminate
Incorrect Physical Dimensions
Lack of Coupon Retention
Improper Installation
Insufficient Quantity or Non-FRP Specific Supports

With that in mind, sometimes a deviation from specification is in the best interest of the project. This can happen because a boilerplate spec was written for unknown future projects, and therefore not tailored to the circumstances of any one project. In such a case, the specification should describe a procedure to be followed for examination and approval of the appropriate spec change.

On any project, there are many different ways specifications can fail to be met, and some can lead to serious consequences and high repair costs. For more information, contact Diamond Fiberglass or Diamond Services.

06/02/2023

"ENGINEERED FRP": WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

You’ve probably heard the term engineered when a discussion turned to some kind of hard asset, and maybe you wondered what that meant exactly. The answer depends a bit on the nature of the asset, but we can clear the air now in regard to engineered FRP tanks and pipes.

For FRP tanks and pipes, “engineered” means designing from scratch to meet each particular customer’s needs, then choosing materials and fabrication methods such that maximum performance and durability are achieved. There is no “standard” item, since everything is intended to meet certain customer specifications. And obviously there is no stocking of inventory as each engineered product is made to order.

Repairs and maintenance of engineered FRP equipment also needs to be “engineered” to meet the specifics of the service and operating environment. A generic one-size-fits-all approach to repair and maintenance of engineered FRP equipment will not contribute to maximum performance and durability.

Because they are project specific, engineered FRP tanks and pipes offer the best performance and longest service life possible. Not surprisingly, such custom manufacturing rarely offers lowest up front costs, but almost always offers the lowest lifetime costs and highest value for the owner.

For more information, please visit diamondfiberglass.com or diamondservices.com.

05/18/2023

Designing & Fabricating FRP Vessels for the Intended Use

Engineered FRP vessels are highly tailored products. That means that the particular resins, initiators and reinforcement fabrics used to fabricate these vessels were chosen specifically from dozens of choices, with one goal in mind; to provide the customer a vessel with the best performance and durability.

Diamond uses the information provided by the customer to select materials and fabrication methods, and if the information is incorrect or incomplete, then it is possible an FRP vessel may be subjected to a condition that wasn't anticipated, and the asset may not meet the goal of best performance and durability. Despite our extensive experience and best efforts to ask all relevant questions, sometimes vessels are used for different purposes once the vessel has left our factory and is "out in the wild".

Storage Vessel used as Reaction Vessel
Sometimes specifications will state that a tank is intended to be a "storage vessel" for a particular substance. But the specifications don't clarify that one substance is mixed with one or more different substances in the tank. The result could be a dilution of concentration, or a chemical reaction, neither of which was anticipated when the materials of fabrication were chosen. These reactions may result in a vessel exceeding its design conditions (such as temperature or pressure).

Atmospheric Vessel used as Pressure Vessel
Another issue that arises from time to time is a vessel rated for atmospheric service but at some point it is converted to a closed system that pressurizes the vessel. An example is when an owner re-routes the vent to a scrubber system which can create vacuum or back pressure on the vessel. Some standards such as ASME RTP-1 try to prevent this scenario by requiring atmospheric tanks to use fixed non-removable vents.

Operating conditions never anticipated
"Off spec moments" can also introduce conditions that are not anticipated in the original specifications. Such moments can be the result of an annual cleaning, human error or equipment malfunction. Other scenarios occur when owners "repurpose" vessels for different services than they were designed.
While the off spec moments may never be able to be anticipated, operating outside of the original specification design or repurposing a used vessel can be checked for acceptability by reaching out to the original vessel fabricator for guidance.

For more information, visit diamondfiberglass.com or diamondservices.com.

03/29/2023

DIAMOND SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW LOCATION!

Diamond Services (www.diamondservices.com), affiliate to Diamond Fiberglass, announced that it has opened a new location to better serve customers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Sorento, Louisiana, about halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, was chosen because of its proximity to customers needing FRP tank and pipe inspections, relines, repairs and installations. Over a dozen technicians and several specially equipped trucks and trailers will be based in Sorrento.
"We have been servicing the Central Gulf Coast market for many years from Diamond Services locations in Texas. Due to increased demand for non-metallic field services during 2022, we wanted to be closer to our customers and provide a higher level of support. As we complete several large capital projects, we are preparing to assist new customers for both capital projects such as turnarounds as well as on-site maintenance in the Central Gulf Coast market.", stated Clint Kendall, Diamond Services General Manager.
Diamond Services has grown the Louisiana team through local hiring with training provided by the company's extensive training program. Diamond FRP Services technicians, staff and equipment in Victoria, Texas will remain at full strength to support the Texas Gulf Coast market.
For more information, visit diamondservices.com or diamondfiberglass.com.

09/01/2022

FRP TANK HANDLING GUIDELINES

The following guidelines for handling and lifting of FRP tanks are summaries of those in the Diamond Fiberglass document "FRP Tank Handling and Installation Instructions" Rev. 7. However, each tank lifting plan must take into account all of the factors in each particular situation. Ultimately, lifting plans are the responsibility of the contractor, not the tank fabricator. The following guidelines offer or imply no guarantees or warranties whatsoever.

Prior to offloading, tanks should be carefully inspected both inside and out. Look for any signs of breakage, abrasion, shifting or rotation that may have resulted in damage to a tank. If shipping cradles are used, check for any signs that they may have moved, shifted or rotated resulting in cracks or crazes at point of contact. Check each fitting for cracks, gouges, and dents. All fittings should be secured to the tank without any play and should not be able to move when testing force is applied to them.

If damage is discovered, contact Diamond Fiberglass before attempting to unload the material. If a tank must be unloaded immediately, do not set it in the vertical position as it would make the damage much more difficult to access and repair.

Diamond Fiberglass tanks are designed to withstand normal handling procedures, but hoist operators should always know and follow proper rigging procedures. Do not allow cables, hooks or spreader bars to swing against tanks. Care should be taken to prevent tanks from swinging out of control. Always lift - never roll or slide a tank. Never use cables or chains around the tank, and never lift a tank by using fittings or appurtenances other than the lifting lugs. When lifting lugs are not provided as part of the equipment, woven fabric rigging slings of 3-inch minimum width are recommended.

When moving a tank, do not drop or allow hard impact. Never let tools strike or drop on either the inside or the outside of the tank. Ladders used inside tanks must have rubber foot protectors, and workers entering tanks should wear soft-soled shoes.

In storing tanks prior to installation, tie down securely. Tanks should be placed only on firm level surfaces which are free of stones, fasteners, and other small hard objects. Tanks should be stored horizontally and supported on the top and bottom “knuckle” ends only and never in the middle of the sidewall. When stored outdoors, tanks should be adequately secured to prevent movement due to wind or water flotation.

For further information, please contact Diamond Fiberglass (diamondfiberglass.com).

04/28/2022

FRP Equipment Prices: Same Story As Almost Any Product Anywhere

Less than two years ago the US national average price of gasoline was under $2.00 per gallon, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Remember those days? As of this writing, it is close to $4.50 per gallon, and likely still going up. You probably don't want to think about that.

It's the same story across the board in fuels, metals, plastics, housing, cars and trucks, machinery... You name it, the price of it has climbed substantially in that last two years. Unfortunately, FRP tanks and pipes don't get a pass, due to the price increases of resin and fiberglass used in their fabrication. The prices for those materials, while 80%+ higher than they were 24 months ago, have not climbed as much as some metals, such as stainless steel. It's hard to feel thankful for that, isn't it?

Furthermore, the prices we see now will probably look attractive compared to what we may be seeing in the months to come. Predicting the future is always dangerous, of course, but when we put our ears to the tracks, we hear the rumblings of continued price increases, albeit slower than last year. Price stabilization is our current hope and near term price drops seem just like wishful thinking.

Headwinds to price stabilization/decreases include:

Raw material inputs continue to increase in cost, driven by basic chemicals, energy, labor.
Lack of competition in raw material supply (imports are down, port logistics are challenging).
Strong demand continues for composite fabricated products. The corrosion market for FRP pipe and vessels competes for raw materials with other products in high demand: wind blades, FRP infrastructure shapes, RV's, boats, industrial coatings, etc.
Lack of supply stability. Without sufficient safety inventory in the supply chain, any disruption upstream ripples through to the consumers.
Shortages for hazmat transportation (both import and inland) are raising delivery prices
Fuel for delivery of finished goods

The only way to see any upside in this market is that while prices are still not stable, the rate of increase has slowed from this time last year and we are seeing some improvements in raw material supply. We need to return to an environment where we can reliably forecast price increases throughout the lifespan of a project. Perhaps the recent slowdown in price increases is the first indication we are headed in the right direction.

For more information regarding FRP tank and pipe prices, please contact Diamond Fiberglass at diamondfiberglass.com.

02/07/2022

FRP FLANGES: INSTALLATION MISTAKES
Years ago I took a call from the supervisor of an installation crew who was installing FRP pipe we manufactured. I could tell from the background noise he was in the field working with his team. And he was upset; I mean he was livid. He'd just discovered that most of the first dozen or so FRP fl**ges his crew had bolted up were cracked. And he was looking to pin the blame on the manufacturer of those fl**ges.
While I had him on the phone, I quickly looked at our QC documents. All spools had passed with almost no re-work. And I had a lot of confidence in my fabricating team and in-house QA inspector. So I started asking questions:
Is this installation job going worse than the last FRP pipe installation his crew did? "First time installing FRP pipe." Red Flag #1.
What tools are the crew using to tighten the bolts? "Impact wrenches". Red Flag #2
Has this crew installed steel pipe in the past? "No, new crew from a temp agency". Red Flag #3
There were more questions but you can see where this is going. After further discussion, he acknowledged that his installation team had not followed the correct procedures. But, while I could rush replacement fl**ges to him, they could only be installed on the pipe ends by a crew that had been trained properly. This was going to cost him money and a delayed installation.

Properly installing FRP fl**ges is easy when you know the procedure. End users might have their own site procedures and requirements but installers should always request the information (if it wasn't provided to you) by the equipment manufacturer.
One procedure that is often used is to tighten each nut until it makes contact with the fl**ge, then follow the proper bolting pattern (such as a star pattern) to tighten to 25% of the torque specification. Then follow the bolting pattern to reach 50% of torque spec, follow the bolting pattern to 75% of torque spec, and finally follow the bolting pattern to 100% of torque spec (not a bit more!). Ratchet wrenches are OK, but not impact wrenches.
But again, consult the procedure for each project and piece of equipment.
For more information, please contact diamondfiberglass.com

09/16/2021

You're Responsible for Buying an FRP Tank or Pipe...Now What?

Fiberglass (FRP) tanks and pipes are a little different than many assets because they are fabricated from a material that many people don't know well. If you are one of those people, this blog is for you! Don't worry, you can make a smart purchase if you follow the steps below:
The most important thing is to find an experienced and trustworthy fabricator. Hopefully your company has already worked with one, but if not, start vetting fabricators BEFORE you actually need to place an order (See Diamond blog dated March 3, 2021 "Preventable FRP Purchasing Mistakes" http://www.diamondfiberglass.com/preventable-frp.../). You want a fabricator that has been supplying FRP assets similar to what you need for at least 10 years.
Be very careful about using low price as the main decision criteria. While price is important, how much pain will you have to endure if the fabrication is improperly done or delivery is late?
What is the fabricator's process to design, fabricate and deliver? This should be made clear to you before you make your choice.
Does the fabricator have the capability to increase the asset life through preventive maintenance? Lifetime costs are minimized with good maintenance.
When you decide on a fabricator, bring them into your process early. Give them all the relevant information you can. Answer their questions completely and quickly. Let them use their experience to fine tune your specifications; you'll get a better product and maybe save money, too.
Consider having the fabricator perform the installation, too. They should know how to handle and install FRP assets properly. If anything goes wrong there won't be multiple contractors blaming each other.
For more information, please visit diamondfiberglass.com.

08/30/2021

FIBREX IS HIRING!

The demand for Fibrex products and services is strong! To keep up with that demand, we recently added staff to our quoting and engineering teams and enlarged our office space at our Victoria, TX headquarters. We are manufacturing products that are being shipped all around the world!
We’ve added to our production team, too, but we’re always looking for good technicians, whether they have FRP experience or not. If you don’t have experience, we have a training program to teach you composite fabrication. If you or somebody you know would enjoy steady work for competitive wages and benefits, please have them contact us at 361-572-4040 x116 to complete an application in person, or complete an application online here.

07/30/2021

Resin Supply Shortage: A Dim Light At The End Of The Tunnel

The effects of historic winter storm Uri continue to be felt in the corrosion fiberglass industry. While most of the chemical manufacturers that were shut down by the storm have resumed production of the components required for resin manufacturing, there continue to be shortages that are impacting the nation’s resin supply. As a result, some deliveries of fiberglass tanks and pipes have been delayed as fabricators are not getting all the resin they need to complete projects.
The weak resin supply is sensitive to two facts:
First, the extremely low resin inventory is vulnerable to any disruption (planned or unplanned shutdowns, transportation issues, etc). Even minor disruptions will push through the supply chain and impact resin availability. We have seen two unplanned shutdowns of key basic chemicals over the last month.
Second, the basic chemicals needed for resin manufacturing are still not available in sufficient quantities that would allow resin suppliers to rebuild safety stocks. Until that happens for a period of time long enough for sufficient safety stock to be established, we don’t expect supply or price stability.
We are hopeful for continued improvement of the resin supply through the remainder of the year but expect challenges as the industry recovers.

Fibrex FRP Piping Systems

10/30/2023

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