Falkland Islands Leak Detection

RAF Mount Pleasant is a major military base for the Royal Air Force in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands with two runways of over 4,000 meters between them. The facility is part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands. The station, home to between 1,000 and 2,000 British military personnel, is located about thirty miles southwest of Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, on the island of East Falkland. The world’s longest corridor, a half-mile long, links barracks, messes and recreational and welfare areas of the base. The base is occasionally referred to by its residents as the Death Star because of its sometimes confusing layout.

The military base relay on their own water supply resources, collecting rainwater in their own reservoir allowing them to be self sufficient on the Island, preserving water to last for the next 20/30 years. In the last 3 years their water analysis showed they were using a larger amount of water reducing their water supply by 5 or more years. This trend would continue if the problem wasn’t identified immediately.

LDS Leak Detection Specialists Ltd offer a leak detection service providing a non-destructive solution to finding leaks in any pipe work in both domestic and commercial properties. In contrast to traditional methods of large-scale excavation, LDS utilise specialist equipment coupled with our engineers technical expertise to locate hidden leaks quickly and accurately, saving both time and money.

As we are the approved leak detection supplier for the MOD and other commercial projects across the planet, Interserve approached us with their problem. Liaising with project managers and senior engineers, LDS organised the biggest and most complex leak detection of its kind in the world, transporting 5 tonnes of tracer gas, 8000 miles away to one of the most remote parts of the world!

In March 2013, our engineers arrived in the Falkland Islands and formulated a leak detection plan based on the site condition. Their mission to find a water leak on a 5km fire ring mains and 11km portable water supply feeding the Mount Pleasant Military base.

Our technical leak detection engineers carried out various acoustic mapping techniques in order to reduce the amount of pipe work that was potentially leaking into a more manageable area of leakage for our engineers to work on. When an area of concern was detected our engineers deployed the use of tracer gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen. Hydrogen, at 5% in a balance of nitrogen, is used for trace gas because it has the smallest and lightest molecules so permeates all surfaces including concrete, tarmac, block paving and grass, rising quickly to the surface and rapidly disperses in air allowing our gas detectors to pinpoint the exact location of the leak itself. This advanced method of leak detection enabled our engineers to quickly locate the area of leakage.

Due to the fact that LDS have the most advanced leak detection equipment and techniques which makes our company and engineers probably the most skilled and knowledgeable in the world our engineers were able to find the leak on their first day of our leak detection, despite the extreme weather conditions.

The leak detection survey was a complete success and all areas that we were required to survey were 100% conclusive for the client at Mount Pleasant Military base, The Falkland Islands.

• Non-destructive testing solution ensured that only the area concerned was excavated.
• Increased detection speed resulted in less interruption and associated costs.
• The leak was found enabling Mount Pleasant Military base to preserve their water supply again.

LDS offer a professional leak detection service and have a 99% success rate of finding your leak accurately due to our skilled engineers and various methods of leak detection techniques used. We have engineers all over the UK enabling us to provide a fast response and offer International Leak Detection Services. As a trusted partner of major insurance companies, plumbers and property owners we have helped thousands of people by finding leaks quickly and cost effectively, with minimal disruption. We are insurance approved for all ‘trace & access’ claims.

Call: 0344 809 4968