NPI Maintenance in High-Corrosion Environments
Non-process infrastructure (NPI)—workshops, warehouses, admin buildings, amenities, camps—often gets less attention than core process plant. But in high-corrosion environments like the Pilbara, NPI failures can disrupt operations just as effectively as plant issues.
GWA’s maintenance teams see this every day across HVAC, plumbing, electrical and building services.
How Corrosion Impacts NPI Assets
In WA’s north, sun, salt, dust and moisture combine to attack:
- Roof sheeting and structural steel
- Air conditioning condensers and coils
- Electrical enclosures, switchboards and terminations
- Pipework, valves and supports
Unchecked, minor surface corrosion becomes structural damage or outright failure.
Common Failure Modes We See on Site
- HVAC units losing efficiency due to clogged or corroded coils
- Roof leaks leading to internal damage and electrical risks
- Corroded fixings and flashing causing panel uplift in high winds
- Condensate and drainage issues from poorly-maintained systems
- Electrical ingress leading to nuisance trips or worse
Many of these issues start small—and become expensive because they were left too long.
Building a Maintenance Strategy That Works
A strong NPI maintenance strategy is:
- Planned, not reactive
- Multi-disciplinary, not siloed
- Informed by environment and usage, not generic
HVAC systems
- Regular coil cleaning and protective coatings where appropriate
- Verification of airflow and refrigerant performance
- Proactive replacement of at-risk components before peak seasons
Plumbing and refrigeration
- Inspection of external pipework, supports and insulation
- Verification of drains, sumps and backflow prevention
- Monitoring for slow leaks or pressure changes
Electrical and controls
- Inspection and cleaning of external boards and enclosures
- Checking for dust and moisture ingress
- Thermal scanning where appropriate
- Testing RCDs and safety systems
The Role of Inspections and Data
Moving from reactive to planned maintenance means you need:
- Clear asset lists and criticality ratings
- Inspection schedules that reflect environmental risk
- Simple reporting that turns observations into actions
GWA uses structured inspection regimes to help clients understand where the risks are and when they need addressing.
Why a Multi-Discipline Maintenance Partner Helps
NPI is rarely just “one trade’s” problem.
GWA’s teams combine:
- Electrical and controls
- HVAC and mechanical
- Plumbing and refrigeration
- General building and facility works
That means less finger-pointing and more integrated solutions—especially important when you’re managing sites from a distance.
GWA helps clients build practical, Pilbara-ready maintenance programs for buildings and facilities.