Stoke Depot Opening Times: 07.30am – 5.00pm Mon to Fri | Shrewsbury Depot Opening Times: 08.00am – 5.00pm Mon to Fri
Stoke Depot Opening Times: 07.30am – 5.00pm Mon to Fri | Shrewsbury Depot Opening Times: 08.00am – 5.00pm Mon to Fri
At J Ll Leach, with over 80 years of industry experience, we help you reduce energy costs and improve system efficiency with our thorough air leak surveys.
Leaks in compressed air systems are a major source of energy loss – often called the “fourth utility,” compressed air is also the most expensive – and are often undetected due to normal wear and background noise in a manufacturing plant. These leaks increase energy consumption, reduce efficiency, create system pressure drops, and drive up operational costs. This leakage introduces a “triple threat” to your operations: escalating financial overhead, accelerating mechanical strain on your air compressor, and increasing regulatory compliance risks.
At J Ll Leach, our compressed air leak detection survey uses advanced ultrasonic acoustic air leak detectors to locate even the smallest leak points in hard-to-reach areas of your system. Our equipment can detect even minor leaks, helping you minimise wasted energy, reduce pressure drops, and improve system integrity.
By identifying leaks early, you can cut energy costs, meet environmental goals, improve product quality, and extend the lifespan of your equipment. A survey provides actionable survey results that help you prioritise repairs, leading to faster payback and long-term energy savings.
Finding compressed air system leaks requires precision. At J Ll Leach, we use ultrasonic air leak detection equipment to find leaks quickly and accurately. Our hand-held ultrasonic detectors, including the Fluke ii900 Acoustic Industrial Imager, detect high-frequency sounds from escaping air, even in noisy environments where leaks are not found simply by listening using traditional methods. Our equipment is able to convert this high-frequency sound, which is picked up by a sensitive microphone, into a signal we can hear through an earphone and see on a visual display.
Unlike traditional leak tests, such as soapy water, our ultrasonic detection equipment identifies even small leaks in your complete pipework system, including air lines, hoses, valves, and fittings, without shutting down production. We quantify the leak rate and total air loss, assess potential leaks, and provide a detailed energy audit outlining the cost of the survey, estimated energy savings, and ways to save.
With our onsite expertise and technical support, we help businesses reduce wasted energy, prevent pressure drops, and improve overall system efficiency.
Once the air leak survey is completed on site, we will create a full analysis to report the results. This detailed report enables you to prioritise fixes, understand the cost of the repairs, and consider the proposed benefits of undertaking such remedies. The report will clearly list the parts required for the repairs and prioritise them based on severity, allowing you to tackle the most costly leaks first for the fastest ROI. We also provide skilled personnel to remedy those leaks.
On average, up to 30 percent of the compressed air your air compressor system generates will be lost through your generation system. When your compressed air accounts for about 10% of all energy used in manufacturing, checking your system is as well optimised as it should be is vital in saving you money. For a typical plant using compressed air, this can translate into thousands, or even tens of thousands, of pounds in annual savings.
Regular air leak maintenance ensures longevity, recognising problems before they become a major issue. For a short-term cost, an air leak survey creates long-term financial gain.
An air leak survey works to optimise your compressed air system, ensuring leaks are quickly identified and remedied. This is especially critical for modern systems using Variable Speed Drive (VSD) compressors. Leakage creates a high base load that prevents the VSD from ramping down, undermining its core energy-saving purpose and eroding your return on investment.
Many sites have been able to switch off some of their compressors entirely and work from less due to the increased energy and air savings they have made from an air leak survey. This avoids significant capital expenditure on new equipment that you thought you needed but now don’t.
One of the main benefits of undertaking an air leak survey with J Ll Leach is that the survey is completely non-invasive. At no point is your system required to shut down, meaning production is not halted in any way.
Due to this, J Ll Leach air leak surveys can be conducted during normal working hours, ensuring no additional time is spent than is necessary arranging the survey. As we operate from depots in Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, and Shrewsbury, we offer flexible scheduling, including weekend surveys, to minimise any disruption to your production schedule.
Get a clear picture of what our comprehensive air leak survey report looks like. Below is a sample report that outlines key findings, detailed analysis, and actionable recommendations to improve the efficiency of your system. Our goal is to help you reduce energy waste and lower operational costs with accurate data and expert insights. We can also provide related services, such as the repair and maintenance of your pipework and the installation of new, energy-efficient components.
By getting in touch 01782 202001 or emailing [email protected] for more information.
Finding a leak in a compressed air system can be difficult without the right tools, as many leaks are too small to hear or hidden in hard-to-reach areas. At J Ll Leach, we use an ultrasonic acoustic leak detection device, which picks up the hiss of escaping air even in noisy environments. This advanced technology is far more effective than traditional methods like soapy water.
Leaks are a big issue in a compressed air system as they can waste up to 30 per cent of the energy supplied, forcing compressors to work harder and increasing electricity costs. This can cost a typical UK business thousands of pounds per year. Undetected leaks also impact production time and reduce overall system efficiency. By conducting this type of survey, businesses can improve energy efficiency, lower operational costs, and extend the lifespan of their equipment. It also helps you meet your sustainability goals under standards like ISO 50001 and ESOS.
Yes. Our leak detection device can detect leaks without interrupting your operations. We use UE Systems’ ultrasonic acoustic technology, allowing real-time detection without shutting down machinery or affecting ventilation. This means businesses can identify and repair new leaks while maintaining productivity.
Beyond financial waste, air leaks pose significant compliance risks. Under the UK’s Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR), leaks can indicate a breach of system integrity. Furthermore, loud leaks can exceed the 85 dB(A) limit set by the Noise at Work Regulations 2005, requiring mandatory action to protect your employees’ hearing. Addressing leaks is a key part of your site’s health and safety compliance.
Pneumatic systems, with their complex network of actuators, hoses, and valves, are common sources of leaks. Our engineers use acoustic imaging cameras like the Fluke ii900. This imager has an array of microphones that lets us see the sound as the air moves, overlaying a “sound map” on a digital image. This allows us to visually pinpoint the exact location of multiple leaks in complex machinery, even in the loudest plant environments.
Yes. While our primary focus is compressed air, our advanced ultrasonic equipment is highly effective for industrial gas leak detection, including inert gases like nitrogen and argon. This is a crucial service for ensuring safety and preventing the loss of expensive process gases. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.