Silo Inspections - Why They Are a Must For All Silo Owners

A silo inspection is a very important part of any structural safety plan. Regular inspections, at a minimum, can help identify problems that increase the likelihood of catastrophic structural failure. Depending on inspection results, preventative maintenance can be done immediately to prevent larger, more expensive repairs in the future. Silo foundations are built of concrete slabs held together with metal channels and posts. When these components fail, it's not only catastrophic damage that can occur; loose bolted and welded posts and even the metal coverings over the interior of the storage bins can collapse, causing injuries as well as massive amounts of debris to be thrown into the air.

Primary areas to focus on for inspection

In every silo inspection, there are two primary areas to focus on. The first is the foundation. This will most likely be done during the initial design phase and should include checks for any voids, cracks, or other voids that may exist due to age or neglect. Access openings to the interior of the storage bins themselves should also be closely inspected to ensure no structural deficiencies exist which would allow access by way of an unplanned collapse. All of these areas will need to be addressed prior to receiving a silo inspection certificate.

After a thorough foundation inspection, the next area of concern will be the structural integrity of the silos themselves. Most inspections will check for evidence of rust, missing beams or posts, and other signs of possible failure. However, even in cases where there may not be visible evidence of failed structures, silo Inspectors should still be assessing the building’s interior to make sure the interior is structurally sound. Silos that have a history of structural issues will be harder to repair than a newly constructed silo, and a neglected silo can lead to a catastrophic collapse in the worst-case scenario.

The inspection also targets the storage area to be detected

A silo inspection should also address the storage areas of the silos. Most silos will have designated floor space for storing stored materials, either inside the main structure of the silos, or at least alongside it. While the floors may be well maintained over time, ground conditions can quickly change, and a routine inspection should be done on a regular basis to monitor the condition of the floor space and to spot any signs of neglect or other structural issues that could be leading to collapse.

Another area of concern that can be addressed through routine silo inspection is the concrete surrounding the silos. Since silos are designed to be supported by steel or concrete, the concrete surrounding them must also be safe enough to support the weight of the silos. In the past, poorly maintained concrete was often the cause of silo collapses, but modern concrete techniques have greatly improved the life span and durability of the concrete surrounding a silo. These modern concrete techniques are even more important now that silos are being designed to store and protect highly flammable materials.

It should be noted that even though there have been numerous fatalities associated with poor silo inspections in recent years, this does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe to store such materials. Properly maintained silos can in fact be extremely useful for many different purposes, and it is only when such structures are allowed to age and fail that they become a danger. The age of a silo can greatly influence its stability and resistance to both natural forces and man-made alterations, and a thorough silo inspection should always be undertaken whenever a new silo is being added to a building. If you are a silo owner and looking for inspecting services then you can consider contacting some experienced companies lie infrastructrepc.com.