In the Napa Valley, a process piping contractor is a valuable partner for companies in a long list of industries. If they have manufacturing or storage facilities that use complex piping systems, valves, and equipment that control the flow of liquid and gases through these pipes, then they are the perfect clients for us. The following sectors can be included in this list of potential customers:
- Food Processing Plants
- Healthcare Systems
- Restaurants
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Educational Facilities
- Aerospace
- Retail Sales Complexes
Although the most common use of piping systems is to transport, store, and insulate liquids like water, they can also be used for gases and chemicals as part of the manufacturing process. Even sewage and the treatment of used water go through similar systems so they can be safely flushed out and transported to facilities where they can be treated or cleaned.
Thus, we, like other Napa process piping contractors, are much more than just a plumber. Instead, we combine both mechanical engineering and plumbing, so we can design, develop, install, and maintain piping systems specific to a client’s needs.
The Breadth of Work of a Process Piping Contractor
A pipe job is a very simplified way of describing what we do. If you have ever seen a complex network of pipes, some of them connected to machines and equipment, then this is exactly where our work lies.
Our background in mechanical engineering plays a huge part in designing piping systems, connected to water sources or containers where liquids or gases are stored. The pipes, naturally, transport them from one container to another, to be either mixed, heated, cooled, insulated, or to go through other processes required. In any facility, several of these installations can be found and they are all part of a bigger system that needs to function properly at all times.
As process piping experts, we work on:
New Projects
For clients that are about to set up their facilities and buildings with piping systems, they work with us with the design, development, engineering, fabrication, construction, installation, and even plumbing of every part of the process piping. Our expertise helps with the installation of control valves, monitoring equipment, boilers, and other aspects of the system. Before the facility is fully operational, we will conduct test runs to ensure everything is running smoothly and safely.
Existing Facilities
A process piping contractor like us also works with clients whose systems are already set-up. This can be because there is a need to update, relocate, or replace specific parts or it can be a part of an expansion project. These are no ordinary pipes, so no simple plumber is qualified to service these systems.
Another huge part of our work on existing facilities is the maintenance and repair of process piping systems. Even if the pipes only transport water and not dangerous chemicals, they still need to function properly and without issues. Only then can the work continue without any downtime or problems.
List of Projects of a Napa Valley Process Piping Contractor
Napa Valley CA is known for its vineyards and winemaking. These are just some of the special clients we service in the area:
Winery Projects
We have gathered enough experience and knowledge to understand the special needs and requirements of our wine-making clients. These facilities and the quality of their wine is highly dependent on our process piping systems.
An end-to-end winery solution starts when they load the fruit. Automatic sensors that monitor temperature, density, and other important factors ensure that the sugar content of the grapes is converted to alcohol during the fermentation. Throughout all the stages of the winemaking process, our storage containers, pumps, pipes, automated systems, and sensors monitor the progress.
Sanitation is important in our designs, while our automation systems make it easy for winemakers to watch out how the process is doing. Thanks to our designs, people around the world get to enjoy that rich, top-quality Californian wine produced here.
Food And Beverage Processing Projects
Similarly, we work with other food and beverage plants like breweries, dairy and cheese producers, and food processing plants. Although Napa Valley is best known for its grapes, it is also home to a lot of farms. We work on storage equipment, processing plants, beverage production plants, and many more. Much like with our winery customers, it is important to maintain high sanitary standards and critical storage conditions to ensure the highest quality of products.
How We Work With Our Clients
When we are dealing with a new client or when we embark on a new project with an existing one, we always start with a meeting to discuss their needs and to elaborate on the services that we offer. We can also present details of similar projects or clients to showcase what we have already accomplished and to highlight our capabilities.
1. Assessment and Design
We visit our client’s existing facility or the location where they plan to build one. If there are existing structures in place, we assess them and incorporate these into the design. We will go into detail as to the intricacies of the process piping system they require, working very closely with them to get to the nitty-gritty of it.
The first step will take time until we come up with the design that meets our client’s needs and approval. When needed, we will also consult with other experts and we will also review any regulations that the system needs to meet, especially when it comes to sanitation and safety.
2. Determine The Materials To Be Used
The right materials for the process are not just important for budgeting, but we as experts need to choose the best one based on the liquids, gases, or chemicals that will flow through them. Not only does this matter, but we also need to consider if they need to be kept at certain temperatures, pressures, and whether they need to be protected from corrosion and erosion.
Fortunately, there are standard piping codes that help with this choice. The most common choice is PVC (short for polyvinyl chloride), popular because of its various applications. It is a low-cost option and can weather many conditions well, plus it has good physical and chemical properties. The only downside is that it degrades at 100 degrees Celsius and when exposed to light.
High-density polyethylene pipe is another good choice, and it performs very well in systems that have high-pressure like for gas and water mains, or for irrigation.
3. Fabrication and Installation
The next step is putting together the whole system. Fabrication may be required to produce the exact parts needed according to the design, and this can be done by us or we rely on skilled providers to come up with what we need.
The installation is another lengthy process, especially when there is no existing piping system and everything has to be set up from scratch. The wait is worthwhile because we ensure that everything is done properly and assembled to withstand different conditions (and even some unexpected circumstances). You can expect your piping systems to last years without falling apart or breaking down.
4. Testing and Quality Control
We have to make sure every part of the system is functioning perfectly before we even turn it over to the clients. We conduct rigorous testing and quality control until we are sure that everything, from the conditions, the timing, the sequence, and other requirements of the process is according to the design. The last thing we want is wine going bad because the temperature of the storage bins is wrong.
If there are any regulations to be met or paperwork to be filed, this is the time to accomplish them. We make sure that our systems follow all protocols and rules for similar facilities.
5. Turn-Over
Once we are satisfied with the outcome of the piping system, it is time to turn it over to our clients. If there is any training required to teach them how to use the equipment, then this is something we make sure to do.
6. Maintenance and Repair
We have a long-term responsibility with our clients to ensure that their process piping systems function without problems for a long time. Still, it might not be avoided so we conduct regular checks and repairs.
7. Upgrades or Modifications
Our existing clients sometimes turn to us to expand their operations or to make modifications to their facilities. Much like with a new project, we study what is already there and create a design to accommodate the new specifications and then execute it.
Wastewater Piping Projects
Many of our manufacturing clients require process piping systems that deal with wastewater and other waste product outputs from their operations.
Other Projects
Based on our clients’ needs, we help them with any of their needs, from heated and cooled piping systems, compressed air systems, gas piping, high-pressure piping, sewage ejection systems, steam piping, and many more. These are sample requirements of other commercial and industrial facilities in Napa Valley. Whatever they require from us, we work with them on the design, fabrication, installation, testing and scheduling, cost and quality control, and maintenance. We remain their partners in the long-term to ensure our systems do not break down and compromise their work.
