TÜV SÜD PSB Advocates Regular Pipeline and Vessel Inspections to Minimize Threats to Human Health and Environment
Manila – Pipelines or vessels that transmit or contain hazardous materials such as chemicals or petroleum are vulnerable to corrosion, cracking and other damages. Leakages of the hazardous materials due to faulty or damaged pipelines and vessels will pose threats to human health and the environment. As such, the Filipino government is taking the initiative to develop safety standards, regulate and monitor the operations of local Filipino industries’ pipelines and vessels. Such measures will help ensure pipeline and vessel safety, minimize threats to human health and environment, sustain Filipino businesses and guarantee continued product quality.
“Pipeline and vessel safety is non-negotiable. There had been many industrial accidents where corroded, cracked pipes and vessels rupture or break apart, causing fatal accidents, destroying homes and endangering our environment”, said Mr. Chia Jen Wen, General Manager, TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines. “In the Philippines, the unfortunate pipeline leakage incident in Makati City last year caused residents of a condominium to vacate their homes after their building smelt intolerably of gas and the basement was flooded with water and fuel.”
The incident prompted the Filipino government to propose a bill to regulate, monitor and develop safety standards for oil and gas pipelines. It will also create a body headed by the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) to prescribe environmental and safety standards, issue regulations, and establish integrity management programs for oil and gas pipelines. Subsequently, it will also call for the drafting of a national security plan to prevent disasters and place contingency measures in the event of catastrophes concerning oil and gas pipelines.
He added, “Ultimately, it is the responsibility of local Filipino companies who own or utilize pipelines and vessels to inspect their hazardous material pipelines, storage tanks, and vessels regularly. They must comply with international and national standards to prevent future events similar to the condominium incident. Assessments can catch potential pipeline and vessel irregularities before they deteriorate and compromise pipeline and vessel integrity. Regular inspections can also protect Filipino companies in legal battles, ensure their businesses remain sustainable, and guarantee continued safety and quality service.”
Mr. Lim Teck Mong, Vice President, TÜV SÜD PSB explained, “This is where TÜV SÜD PSB comes in. We can help to inspect, verify, test and assess assets according to local and international pipeline standards such as American Petroleum Institute (API) 510, 570, 653 etc for local Filipino companies who deal with pipelines, storage tanks and vessels transporting or containing hazardous materials. The API standards are put in place to improve compatibility of operations with the environment while economically developing our natural resources and supplying high quality products and services to consumers.”
For more than 140 years, TÜV SÜD has been providing a wide range of technical inspection, verification, testing and conformity assessment services in more than 600 locations around the world. Our competencies have earned us the acknowledgement of international bodies and we have obtained various qualifications such as the American Welding Society (AWS) for American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT), Personnel Certification for NDT (PCN) and Certification Scheme for Welding Inspection Personnel (CSWIP), American Petroleum Institute (API) etc.
For more information on TÜV SÜD PSB’s pipeline inspection services, please visit http://www.tuv-sud-psb.ph. |