In the Pipe Coating Industry, Mistakes Are Unacceptable
A holiday—as it’s called in industry jargon—might sound like a break, but in pipe coating, it’s the last thing you want. A small imperfection can lead to corrosion, paving the way for leaks, environmental disasters, and sky-high costs.
The term “holiday” comes from shipbuilders who, if they missed a spot while painting, left part of the hull exposed. They called it a holiday—not because they were celebrating, but because the painter clearly needed one!
Today, the stakes are even higher. Just like an uncoated wooden ship could rot and sink, an undetected flaw in a modern pipeline coating can lead to corrosion and catastrophic failure.
What Is Holiday Detection?
Holiday detection ensures coatings are flawless by identifying weak spots before they lead to corrosion. The process: a holiday detector applies 2kV to 30kV to a coated metal surface. If the coating is intact, it isolates the current, and nothing happens. But if there’s a gap—BAM!—the detector makes direct contact with the steel, triggering an alert.
Cathodic Disbonding
If a coating doesn’t bond properly, it can lead to cathodic disbonding—where the protective layer loses adhesion, leaving the metal vulnerable to corrosion. Holiday detection catches weak spots before they cause real damage.
“No Room for Guesswork…”
If there’s a gap, you don’t want to find out the hard way—through leaks! That’s why the machine’s signals are unmistakable. As Jan Peter Biersteker, Sales Director LINEPIPE Division, puts it: “At that moment, it’s full Christmas tree mode in the factory! WEE-OOO WEE-OOO and flashing lights all around.”
Why Early Detection Matters
A holiday means the protective layer of a pipe isn’t doing its job. And in industries like oil, gas, hydrogen, and CO₂ transport, the rule is simple: zero tolerance for coating defects. A tiny flaw today can lead to corrosion tomorrow, weakening a pipeline designed to last 30 to 50 years.
So, the reasons are clear:
- Prevents environmental disasters: Catching these issues early is critical—a single leak can be devastating.
- Avoids astronomical costs: Offshore lay barge vessels cost millions per day.
- Prevents disaster-level system failure: A failed welded pipeline section post-installation creates a logistical and financial nightmare.
A pipeline is only as strong as its weakest link. One coating mistake can mean big trouble.
Where and When Is Holiday Detection Used?
- During production – Inline testing for internal and external coatings.
- During storage – Transport and handling can cause damage.
- Before pipeline construction – Pipes are tested before being welded and installed.
The Real Challenge?
Now, try performing holiday detection under these conditions: constantly moving pipes that demand precision even as everything shifts. Tight schedules where a new pipe must be ready every few minutes. And instant decisions—if a test fails, you have less than five minutes to choose between recoating or repairing. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Not every pipeline is installed under perfect conditions. Some go into the harshest environments on Earth, like offshore pipelay barges, where pipes are welded and coated before being lowered into the ocean. As Jan Peter notes: “Re-coating an entire pipe is a massive job. And since our coatings are built to last for decades, removing them isn’t exactly a casual afternoon task. That’s why, in many cases, fast, local repairs are the best option.”
As Many Flavors as a Gelato Shop!
Some projects require tailored solutions—like a robotized detection system that inspects a full pipe in seconds, delivering real-time results. These high-stakes projects rely on trust between Selmers and its clients, making innovation happen at record speed. That’s why holiday detection comes in as many varieties as an Italian gelato shop—we customize every solution to fit unique challenges.
You Snooze, You Lose
In this industry, staying sharp is everything. Fortunately, Selmers designs detection systems so advanced, they do most of the work for you. But let’s be clear: “You snooze, you lose in this business.”
So, need a holiday? Take one. The benefits will outweigh the costs.
Innovate better together!
Co-creation is what we are good at. With more than thirty five years of experience in mechanical engineering, this sector holds no secrets for us. Working together on your production development with our robotics solutions makes sense because of our extensive experience. Innovate better together! Please feel free to call us at +31 (0)251 211 999, send an email mail@selmers.com or fill in the form https://www.selmers.com/contact. Find our solution here.
