SMOKESTACKS

Aukstata was established in 2003 aiming to offer industrial services at height. Our main services include construction and repair works in high-altitude conditions and repair of industrial chimneys. The company has highly qualified and certified employees with 20-30 years of experience, as well as all the equipment and modern technologies required for high-altitude work (special climbing equipment, suspended cradles, suspended work sites, mechanical and electric elevators, etc.).

We perform all types of work related to the operation of chimneys – from preparation of technical documentation for special inspections of chimneys to anti-corrosion and water resistant coating of exterior and interior chimney surfaces, repair and anti-corrosion coating of steel structures, manufacture and installation of Aviation Warning Lights (AWL) and lightning protection equipment, manufacture and installation of observation decks and clamping rings, as well as demolition and reconstruction of chimneys.

SERVICES

SMOKESTACK INSPECTION

Seasonal inspections

Seasonal inspections of smokestacks are carried out in accordance with the client’s usual inspection procedures developed by the facility’s maintenance operations manager. Companies and organizations that do not have certified employees to perform stack inspections hire contractors that have the qualifications to perform these services.

Emergency inspections

Emergency inspections of smokestacks are often performed after natural disasters (fires, storms, heavy rains, etc.) or if there are any deviations from the norm (gas mixture explosion, unacceptable increase in flue gas temperature, etc.) in accordance with Annex C of Annex 6 to the National Construction Standard RSN 148-92* Periodicity of Monitoring and Inspection of the Technical Condition of Chimneys. They are performed by expert teams appointed by order of the company’s administration.

Companies and organizations that do not have certified employees to perform chimney inspections hire contractors that have the qualifications to perform these services.

Special inspections

Special inspections of smokestacks are performed:

  • In the event of damage to the chimney shaft (fractures and cracks in concrete or masonry, horizontal or vertical cracks in the walls, bulges or cracks in the protective concrete layer);
  • In the event of refractory collapse, collapse of partitions, damage to the top masonry of the chimney, damage to other load-bearing elements;
  • In the event of excessive deviation of the vertical axis of the chimney, breakage of the moisture and steam insulation layer or refractory steam protection of the chimney shaft;
  • When the structure soaks through or ices over;
  • When cracks caused by chemical corrosion appear on the masonry surface;
  • Upon detection of sections of coarse-grained concrete or concrete with not enough cement;
  • Upon detection of other defects or damages in the chimney shaft, or disturbances in the normal operation of the chimney, which may shorten its service life;
  • Upon detection of damage to the steel chimney shaft or its sections, increased condensate or increased shaft corrosion, or damage with unknown causes which may lead to an emergency situation or shorter service life of the structure.

Special inspections of smokestacks are carried out by certified engineers or experts authorized to perform such work. Samples are tested in laboratories.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

Conclusions and recommendations

Based on the results of stack inspections, observations and recommendations are made about any areas of concern and additional repair services needed. We offer modern solutions necessary to extend the longevity of smokestacks.

Technical passports

Chimney passports are prepared by our company’s qualified specialists.

The technical passports of chimneys and the stack operation and maintenance logs are the company’s strict accounting documents. The chimney passport contains any data on the smokestack, its structures, inspections and engineering tests, accidents and damage to the chimney, as well as information on the previously performed stack repairs and renovations, while the chimney operation and maintenance log contains information on the operating conditions of the stack.

REPAIRS

We use the most advanced materials and technologies for chimney repair – hydrophobic mortars to stop the decay of masonry and concrete, special materials for the protection of refractory from chemical corrosion, moisture, acids, alkalis and high temperatures, as well as materials for the protection of steel structures, concrete and masonry against decay, flue gas and hazardous environmental effects.

Steel chimneys

We carry out the renovation and repairs of steel chimneys. Welding works, application of various types of anti-corrosion coatings: epoxy-polyurethane, fiberglass, carbon fibre, various resins (for protection against acids, alkalis, etc.), water resistant coatings. We reinforce the structures, install new ladders, ladder enclosures, observation decks for mobile communication operators, and aviation warning lighting systems. We tighten existing tripwires, restore the chimney to its geometric axis, replace failed components with new stainless steel parts, as well as perform all other works related to the operation of the stack.

Masonry chimneys

We perform both simple repairs and full renovations of chimneys. We perform masonry installation works, filling of the refractory and shaft and waterproofing of the refractory. We design, manufacture and install liners from stainless steel, fiberglass and carbon fibre, and perform repairs of steel structures. We will perform any necessary services to prolong the operation and ensure safe use of smokestacks, as well as to reduce the impact of damaging environmental (moisture, rain, wind, lightning, solar radiation), mechanical (shocks, vibrations) and operational (fluctuations in flue gas temperature, gas mixture explosions, condensates) factors on smokestacks and appurtenances thereof.

Reinforced concrete chimneys

We perform both simple repairs and full renovations. We reinforce structures with concrete repair materials designed for structural repairs in accordance with the requirements of LST EN 1504. We carry out the filling of the refractory and shaft and waterproofing of the refractory. We design, manufacture and install liners from stainless steel, fiberglass and carbon fibre, and perform repairs of steel structures.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

 Steel chimneys

We manufacture and install guyed and self-supporting steel chimneys of various heights and diameters made from black steel or stainless steel (AISI 316; KORTEN, etc.). We install new foundations. Our installed chimneys can be insulated with carbon fibre liners and fiberglass liners.

Masonry chimneys

We modernize chimneys by improving their properties (by increasing flue gas speed and temperature, and installing protective water resistant coatings). We can reduce structure height and perform structure reinforcement works.

We can demolish an existing refractory whilst taking into account the operating conditions, flue gas temperature, and other environmental, mechanical and operational factors that may affect the stack and its structures. We can also design, manufacture and install a new refractory. Materials are selected based on the expected service life of the chimney. The foundation is injected with water resistant materials to stop the penetration of moisture into the stack walls.

Reinforced concrete chimneys

We modernize chimneys by improving their properties (increasing flue gas speed and temperature, and installing protective water resistant coatings). We can reduce structure height and perform structure reinforcement works.

We can demolish an existing refractory whilst taking into account the operating conditions, flue gas temperature, and other environmental, mechanical and operational factors that may affect the stack and its structures. We can also design, manufacture and install a new refractory. Materials are selected based on the expected service life of the chimney. The foundation is injected with water resistant materials to stop the penetration of moisture into the shaft. Stopping the corrosion of reinforcement rods by applying coating with inhibitors.

CHIMNEY LINERS

We install liners made of stainless steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber and masonry using HADEK technology.

STEEL STRUCTURES

Tightening or replacement of clamping rings, ladders and enclosures. Unsuitable and hazardous structures can be replaced with new ones, dismantled and renovated. All steel components can be coated with anti-corrosion coating.

DEMOLITION

We demolish smokestacks both mechanically and manually with special safety measures (safety nets, additional decks, etc.), dismantle the foundations, and restore the lawn. We dispose of and transport waste to specialized waste management sites.

LIGHTNING PROTECTION

We dismantle damaged, corroded lightning protection systems that no longer perform their functions, and install new lightning conductors in accordance with the requirements of STR 2.01.06:2009. We perform the measurements of earthing, transitional connections and insulation resistances.

AVIATION WARNING LIGHTS (AWL)

We design and install AWL systems according to the civil aviation regulations. We carry out the maintenance of existing AWL systems, as well as replace signal lights and their hoods.

SAFETY MEASURES

Rail lifelines

We install vertical rail lifelines for high-rise structures (chimneys), thus reducing the risk to technicians working at high altitudes or to persons supervising the structure. We carry out annual inspections of lifelines and prepare the necessary technical documentation.

Cable lifelines

We install vertical and horizontal cable lifelines for high-rise structures, carry out annual inspections of lifelines, and prepare the necessary technical documentation.

SERVICES