# Metlab

> INAB-accredited testing, inspection and certification laboratory — one of
> Ireland's and the UK's leading independent engineering inspection and
> NDT providers, established 1982. Accreditations: ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory
> testing (INAB Reg. 398T), ISO/IEC 17020 inspection body — approval of permanent
> joining (welding) procedures under PED 2014/68/EU (Reg. 9031), ISO/IEC 17024
> certification of persons — welders and plastics welders (Reg. 7007); Recognised
> Third-Party Organisation (RTPO) under Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU;
> ISO 9001, 14001, 45001. Laboratories in Cork and Dublin, Ireland; offices in
> Belfast, Bristol and London (part of the WH Scott Group).
> Part of the WH Scott Group (est. 1897).

Contact: Cork +353 21 431 1614 (cork@metlab.ie) · Dublin +353 1 864 6764
(dublin@metlab.ie) · Belfast +44 28 9083 1780 · Bristol +44 1454 332270 ·
London +44 20 3376 1492. Hours Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30.

Services: non-destructive testing (UT, RT, MPI, DPI, ET, phased array, TOFD,
corrosion mapping, MFL tank floor scanning), welder qualification (EN ISO 9606-1/-2)
and weld procedure qualification (ISO 15614, ASME IX), plastics welder certification
(I.S. EN 13067), polyethylene pipe butt fusion and electrofusion joint testing,
construction materials testing (soils, aggregates), concrete testing (I.S. EN 12390
cubes, cores, slump), statutory pressure vessel inspection, corrosion testing and
CUI surveys, CQA for landfill and containment lining, bridge and structural inspection.

## Services
- [Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)](https://metlab.ie/services/non-destructive-testing/): INAB-accredited NDT across Ireland — ultrasonic, radiography, MPI, dye penetrant, phased array, TOFD and tank floor scanning from Cork and Dublin labs. Est. 1982.
- [Welder Qualification & Weld Procedure Certification](https://metlab.ie/services/welding-certification/): Welder certification to EN ISO 9606-1, weld procedure qualification to ISO 15614-1 and ASME IX. INAB-accredited certification of persons (ISO/IEC 17024). Cork & Dublin.
- [Plastic Welding Certification](https://metlab.ie/services/plastic-welding-certification/): Plastics welder certification to I.S. EN 13067, including PE butt fusion and electrofusion for water and gas networks. INAB-accredited certification of persons.
- [Polyethylene Pipe Testing](https://metlab.ie/services/polyethylene-pipe-testing/): Laboratory testing of polyethylene pipe butt fusion and electrofusion joints for water and wastewater networks. Independent PE weld audits across Ireland since 1982.
- [Construction Materials Testing (CMT)](https://metlab.ie/services/construction-materials-testing/): Soils, aggregates and materials testing — lab and field. Compaction, CBR, plate bearing, particle size, nuclear density and more, from Cork and Dublin. Since 1982.
- [Concrete Testing](https://metlab.ie/services/concrete-testing/): Concrete cube testing, core testing, slump and fresh concrete sampling across Ireland. Laboratory compression testing from Cork and Dublin with rapid certificates.
- [Pressure Vessel Inspection](https://metlab.ie/services/pressure-vessel-inspection/): Statutory pressure systems inspection across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain — PSSR written schemes of examination and competent-person examination of boilers, air receivers, heat exchangers and process vessels.
- [Corrosion Testing & Assessment](https://metlab.ie/services/corrosion-testing/): Corrosion testing, corrosion mapping and corrosion-under-insulation (CUI) surveys across Ireland. Quantify degradation and protect design life. Cork & Dublin labs.
- [Inspection Services & Consultancy](https://metlab.ie/services/consultancy-inspection/): Independent engineering inspection and QA consultancy — welding, coating, vendor and conformance inspection, tank surveys and statutory examinations across Ireland.
- [CQA & Environmental Containment Testing](https://metlab.ie/services/cqa-landfill-lining/): Construction quality assurance for landfill and containment lining — geomembrane seam testing, electrical leak location and polymer testing to EPA requirements.
- [Bridge & Structural Inspection](https://metlab.ie/services/bridge-inspection/): Bridge inventory surveys, engineering inspections and structural condition assessment across Ireland — Metlab’s bridge asset management unit, strengthened by Infrastruct.
- [Statutory & Workplace Inspection](https://metlab.ie/services/statutory-workplace-inspection/): Statutory workplace inspection across the UK & Ireland — LOLER thorough examination, PUWER, PSSR pressure systems and COSHH/LEV — by competent persons through Workplace Inspection Services, part of Metlab.

## Test methods (how each test works)
- [Visual & Remote Visual Inspection](https://metlab.ie/methods/visual-inspection/): Direct and remote visual inspection explained — borescope examination of welds, vessels and hygienic pipework, what VT finds, and the standards that govern it.
- [Dye Penetrant Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/dye-penetrant-testing/): How dye penetrant inspection works — capillary action, dwell, development — what it detects on any non-porous material, and the EN ISO 3452 standards behind it.
- [Magnetic Particle Inspection](https://metlab.ie/methods/magnetic-particle-inspection/): How MPI works — magnetic flux leakage at cracks attracting iron particles — what it finds in ferromagnetic steel, its limits, and EN ISO 17638 practice.
- [Eddy Current Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/eddy-current-testing/): How eddy current testing works — induced currents, impedance change, coatings and tubing inspection — with applications, limits and ISO 15549 practice.
- [Alternating Current Field Measurement](https://metlab.ie/methods/acfm/): How ACFM works — uniform induced current, Bx/Bz field analysis, crack sizing through paint — where it beats MPI, and its role in in-service inspection.
- [Ultrasonic Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/ultrasonic-testing/): How ultrasonic testing works — pulse-echo physics, A-scan interpretation, thickness gauging and weld inspection — with standards, limits and applications.
- [Radiographic Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/radiographic-testing/): How industrial radiography works — X-ray and gamma sources, film density, defect imaging — plus safety controls, limits, and EN ISO 17636 practice.
- [Phased Array Ultrasonics](https://metlab.ie/methods/phased-array-ultrasonics/): How phased array ultrasonics steers and focuses sound electronically — sectorial scans, encoded weld imaging, RT replacement — with EN ISO 13588 practice.
- [Time-of-Flight Diffraction](https://metlab.ie/methods/time-of-flight-diffraction/): How time-of-flight diffraction sizes weld flaws from crack-tip signals — physics, D-scan interpretation, ISO 10863 practice and where TOFD outperforms.
- [Corrosion Mapping](https://metlab.ie/methods/corrosion-mapping/): How encoded ultrasonic corrosion mapping builds colour thickness maps of vessels and pipework — grid surveys vs C-scans, uses, limits and reporting.
- [Magnetic Flux Leakage Scanning](https://metlab.ie/methods/magnetic-flux-leakage/): How magnetic flux leakage screens storage tank floors for underside corrosion — physics, coverage, UT verification and EEMUA 159 programme context.
- [Positive Material Identification](https://metlab.ie/methods/positive-material-identification/): How positive material identification works — XRF fluorescence physics, alloy grade matching, when PMI is required — and its role in material verification programmes.
- [Hardness Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/hardness-testing/): How hardness testing works — Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell, Leeb and UCI — what hardness reveals about strength and welds, with ISO standards and uses.
- [Replication Metallography](https://metlab.ie/methods/replication-metallography/): How in-situ metallographic replication captures a component’s microstructure without cutting — creep assessment, degradation, and remaining-life evidence.
- [Weld Mechanical Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/weld-mechanical-testing/): The destructive tests behind every WPQR and welder certificate — transverse tensile, bend, macro, hardness and Charpy impact — explained with ISO standards.
- [PE Fusion Joint Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/fusion-joint-testing/): How polyethylene pipe joints are tested — electrofusion peel decohesion to ISO 13954, butt fusion tensile to ISO 13953, bead checks and what failures reveal.
- [Concrete Compression Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/concrete-compression-testing/): How concrete cubes and cores are compression tested to I.S. EN 12390-3 and EN 12504-1 — sampling to crushing, what the failure looks like, and acceptance.
- [In-Situ Density & Bearing Testing](https://metlab.ie/methods/insitu-density-bearing/): How earthworks are verified — nuclear density gauge, sand replacement, CBR and plate bearing tests — what each measures and how layers get approved.

## Company
- [About Metlab](https://metlab.ie/about/): history since 1982, values, WH Scott Group
- [Accreditations](https://metlab.ie/accreditations/): INAB scopes 398T, 9031, 7007; RTPO under PED
- [Statements on Certification](https://metlab.ie/statements-on-certification/): mandatory public certification information — impartiality, process, schemes, scope documents
- [Sectors](https://metlab.ie/sectors/): pharmaceutical, oil & gas, power, civil, water, manufacturing, transport, environmental
- [Contact](https://metlab.ie/contact/): quote requests and laboratory addresses
- [Metlab Cork](https://metlab.ie/locations/cork/): Head office & laboratory
- [Metlab Dublin](https://metlab.ie/locations/dublin/): Laboratory & regional office
- [Metlab Belfast](https://metlab.ie/locations/belfast/): Northern Ireland office · WH Scott Group
- [Metlab Bristol](https://metlab.ie/locations/bristol/): GB head office · WH Scott Group
- [Metlab London](https://metlab.ie/locations/london/): London office · WH Scott Group
- [Metlab South Wales — Workplace Inspections](https://metlab.ie/locations/south-wales/): Workplace Inspections · WH Scott Group

## Insights
- [Welder Qualification to EN ISO 9606-1: The Complete Guide](https://metlab.ie/blog/welder-qualification-en-iso-9606-1-explained/): What an EN ISO 9606-1 welder qualification involves in Ireland — the test, the ranges, six-month confirmations, and the three revalidation routes explained.
- [Pressure Vessel Inspection Intervals in Ireland: Owner’s Guide](https://metlab.ie/blog/pressure-vessel-inspection-intervals-ireland/): 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.
- [UT vs RT vs MPI vs DPI: Choosing the Right NDT Method](https://metlab.ie/blog/choosing-the-right-ndt-method-ut-rt-mpi-dpi/): 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.
- [WPS vs WPQR: Weld Procedure Qualification Explained](https://metlab.ie/blog/wps-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.
- [CQA for Landfill & Lining Projects: What the EPA Expects](https://metlab.ie/blog/cqa-landfill-lining-epa-projects-guide/): Why EPA-licensed containment projects need independent CQA — geomembrane seam testing, leak location surveys, clay liner testing and the validation record.
- [Concrete Cube Testing: Why Cubes Fail & How to Avoid It](https://metlab.ie/blog/concrete-cube-testing-guide-is-en-12390/): 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.
- [Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI): Finding the Hidden Failure](https://metlab.ie/blog/corrosion-under-insulation-cui-detection/): Why corrosion under insulation is the classic surprise failure on insulated plant, where CUI risk concentrates, and how structured survey programmes detect it.
- [Tank Floor MFL Scanning: Inspecting What You Can’t See](https://metlab.ie/blog/tank-floor-mfl-scanning-eemua-159/): How magnetic flux leakage scanning finds underside corrosion in storage tank floors, and where it fits in EEMUA 159-based tank integrity programmes.
- [Butt Fusion vs Electrofusion: PE Pipe Joints Compared](https://metlab.ie/blog/butt-fusion-vs-electrofusion-pe-pipe-joints/): How butt fusion and electrofusion PE joints differ, where each belongs on water networks, why joints fail, and how independent testing proves quality.
- [ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation: Why Your Test Lab Choice Matters](https://metlab.ie/blog/iso-17025-accredited-testing-lab-why-it-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.
- [EN 1090 Execution Classes: A Fabricator’s Guide to EXC1–EXC4](https://metlab.ie/blog/en-1090-execution-classes-structural-steel/): 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.

## Optional
- [Careers](https://metlab.ie/careers/): roles in NDT, laboratory and inspection
- [ESG](https://metlab.ie/esg/): environmental, social and governance commitments
- [Privacy](https://metlab.ie/privacy/): data protection policy