Written by the people who run the tests
Insights.
Standards decoded, methods compared, statutory duties explained — practical technical writing for engineers, contractors and asset owners.
Featured · Welding & Certification
Welder Qualification to EN ISO 9606-1: The Complete Guide
What an EN ISO 9606-1 welder qualification involves in Ireland — the test, the ranges, six-month confirmations, and the three revalidation routes explained.
8 July 2026 · Metlab Technical Team
Read
Pressure Systems · Jul 2026
Pressure Vessel Inspection Intervals in Ireland: Owner’s Guide
What Irish law requires for pressure systems — S.I. 445 of 2012, Part 10 and Schedule 12, the competent person, examination intervals and owner duties.
Read article
Non-Destructive Testing · Jun 2026
UT vs RT vs MPI vs DPI: Choosing the Right NDT Method
A practical decision guide to the main NDT methods — what each finds, where each fails, and how to specify the right one for welds and in-service plant.
Read article
Welding & Certification · Jun 2026
WPS vs WPQR: Weld Procedure Qualification Explained
The difference between a WPS and a WPQR, how ISO 15614-1 qualification works, what testing a procedure involves, and when ASME IX applies instead.
Read article
Environmental & CQA · Jun 2026
CQA for Landfill & Lining Projects: What the EPA Expects
Why EPA-licensed containment projects need independent CQA — geomembrane seam testing, leak location surveys, clay liner testing and the validation record.
Read article
Concrete & Materials · May 2026
Concrete Cube Testing: Why Cubes Fail & How to Avoid It
How concrete cube testing works under I.S. EN 12390 — sampling, curing, 7 vs 28-day results, the real reasons cubes fail, and what to do when one does.
Read article
Corrosion & Integrity · May 2026
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI): Finding the Hidden Failure
Why corrosion under insulation is the classic surprise failure on insulated plant, where CUI risk concentrates, and how structured survey programmes detect it.
Read article
Asset Integrity · Apr 2026
Tank Floor MFL Scanning: Inspecting What You Can’t See
How magnetic flux leakage scanning finds underside corrosion in storage tank floors, and where it fits in EEMUA 159-based tank integrity programmes.
Read article
Pipelines & Plastics · Apr 2026
Butt Fusion vs Electrofusion: PE Pipe Joints Compared
How butt fusion and electrofusion PE joints differ, where each belongs on water networks, why joints fail, and how independent testing proves quality.
Read article
Quality & Accreditation · Mar 2026
ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation: Why Your Test Lab Choice Matters
What ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation actually verifies, how it differs from ISO 9001, how to check a lab’s INAB scope, and when specifications should demand it.
Read article
Welding & Certification · Feb 2026
EN 1090 Execution Classes: A Fabricator’s Guide to EXC1–EXC4
How EN 1090 execution classes work, who decides EXC1 to EXC4, what each class demands of welding and testing, and what CE marking requires of Irish fabricators.
Read articleTesting · Inspection · Certification
Reading about it is free. So is asking.
If one of these guides raised a question about your asset or contract, a specialist will answer it — no obligation.