Quality inspections

An inspection is a formal examination that verifies whether a system, product, process, facility, or service complies with a pre-established regulation or standard. It ranges from the initial assessment of the condition of assets to the issuance of technical recommendations to improve their safety, performance and durability, based on data and expert analysis.

There are different types of inspections, adapted to the needs of each sector and asset:

1. Informal inspections: quick reviews to detect visible incidents.
2. Formal inspections: documented evaluations with established procedure.
3. General inspections: verify the overall condition of a system, process, or facility.
4. Critical Parts Inspections: Focused on components that pose the greatest risk.
5. Special inspections: carried out after incidents, modifications or specific situations.
6. Regulatory inspections: required by legal standards or official regulations.
7. Specialized inspections: carried out by experts in specific technical areas.

• Preventive inspection: it is carried out on a scheduled basis to detect possible failures before they occur, reducing risks and costs.
• Corrective inspection: it is carried out after detecting an incident or fault, in order to evaluate the cause and establish corrective measures.

Inspections can be carried out in a wide variety of environments: buildings and infrastructure, industrial facilities, energy, workplaces and companies, public and private administrations.

Safety inspections should not be limited to periodic reviews: they require a rigorous, precise procedure with a minimum margin of error.

The usual process includes:

1. Planning and definition of the scope.
2. Gathering relevant information.
3. Observation and analysis of potential risks.
4. Preparation of a corrective action plan.
5. Monitoring of the improvements implemented.

Because they allow risks to be detected before they become incidents, protect workers and ensure compliance with regulations. In addition, they help to reduce costs, optimize processes and promote a preventive culture in the company.

Inspections at storage or warehouse warehouses should focus on:

1. Examine facilities and identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Review and update security programs.
3. Identify potential gaps and establish a corrective strategy to ensure regulatory compliance.

According to current regulations, mandatory inspections in buildings usually include: structures, facades, roofs and common facilities. It can also include specific installations such as electrical installations.

The most common industrial safety inspections are: Inspection of equipment and machinery, assessment of specific risks according to the industry, verification of compliance with safety and prevention regulations.

The Technical Building Inspection (ITE), in general, must be carried out every 10 years. In case of minor deficiencies detected, the period can be reduced to 6 years, with an annual follow-up of 2 to 3 reviews according to technical criteria.

SOCOTEC offers a wide range of inspection services including: home and building inspections, industrial maintenance inspections, non-destructive testing (ENDS), acoustic impact studies, quality control in fire protection and MEP commissioning.

MEP commissioning comprises the process of verification, testing and commissioning of mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations. Its objective is to ensure that each system operates safely, efficiently and in accordance with the specifications of the project and the applicable regulations.

We serve a wide variety of industrial sectors, such as oil, energy, and manufacturing in general. We evaluate the condition of equipment and facilities to ensure their correct operation and prevent possible breakdowns.

A well-designed inspection plan identifies potential irregularities before they become costly breakdowns, optimizes asset life, and improves operational efficiency, resulting in significant savings in the medium and long term.

NDTs or non-destructive testing are techniques that allow the physical, chemical or mechanical properties of materials to be analysed without altering their shape or properties, evaluating the condition of the assets without causing any damage.

Inspections that require regulatory compliance must be carried out by accredited inspection entities, such as SOCOTEC, which have the official authorization and recognition to issue valid reports to the administration and ensure compliance with current regulations.