EXTREME ACCESS SERVICES
- Bridge inspections; routine, in-depth, fracture critical and special.
- Specialized inspections of timber using resistance drilling.
- Geological and geotechnical field services.
- Confined Space Inspection Teams.
- FERC required inspections of penstocks and tainter (spillway) gates.
- Topographic and geometric survey assistance.
- Rescue service and on-site safety teams.
- Inspections of rock, concrete, brick, stone, timber and steel.
- Coring, dust sampling, Schmidt hammer testing and rebar surveys.
- Non-Destructive Testing methods including: magnetic particle and dye penetrant and assistance with ultrasound, stress wave and impact echo.
- Difficult access maintenance services.
- Difficult access installations of monitoring equipment.
- Video and photography services for rapid appraisal of conditions and for client records.
BRIDGE INSPECTIONS
Extreme Access specializes in bridge inspection projects and has successfully completed several thousand inspections to date. The scopes of work on these projects have included in-depth, routine, fracture critical, inventory and specialized timber bridge inspections which includes reporting at both the NBIS and PONTIS level. We have inspected bridges in thirteen U.S. states including Alaska and in British Columbia, Canada.
Our reputation is based on the thoroughness of our inspections, the timeliness of our submittals, and excellent communication with our clients.
TIMBER BRIDGE INSPECTIONS
The Extreme Access bridge inspection team has completed several hundred timber bridge inspections since 1990. These have included both routine and in-depth inspections of girder, truss, trestle and covered bridge structures. Bridge members have included both glue-laminated, built-up, and sawn components.
In 2004, Extreme Access started offering Resistance Drilling as part of our timber inspection program. The Resistograph performance is based on a micro-drilling resistance measuring method. A steel drilling bit 15” long with a 0.078" diameter penetrates the timber structure at a uniform speed while resistance is measured. The measured resistance data is recorded on a wax paper strip at a scale of 1:1 and printed or captured electronically. The small diameter bit results in minimal damage to the bridge components. Cross contamination is reduced by bit cleaning and replacement.
Research performed by the USDA Forest Service/Forest Products Laboratory has determined the Resistance Drill is accurate in determining the presence of decay in timber members and that the tool can precisely locate the internal defect at the drilled location. Decay indices have been developed for Douglas fir timber members as follows: sound, >25% resistance; moderate decay, 10-25% resistance; advanced or severe decay, 0-10% resistance.
SAFETY/RESCUE TEAM
Extreme Access has a fully certified roped access rescue team, certified through SPRAT and IRATA (Society of Roped Access Technicians/Industrial Roped Access Technicians Association). We are unique in that our fully certified rescue team members are also fully certified inspectors. This supports our goal of having trained inspectors safely inspect even the most difficult locations.
To contact us, please email ScottH@extremeaccessinc.com