Hilti PS 300 Ferroscan

TRSC deploys the PS 300 as the second-line electromagnetic verification of GPR cover-depth measurements, particularly where chloride profiling, post-tensioned slab cutting or facade-anchor specification depends on accurate cover. The instrument's strength is its repeatability — successive Imagescan surveys over the same grid square produce closely matching cover values, which is essential when condition-monitoring data is being captured for asset-management deferral decisions. The principal limitation is depth: at cover greater than 100 mm or where reinforcement is congested (twin-layer mat, post-tensioned tendon ducts close to surface bars), the PS 300 reading becomes unreliable and TRSC defaults to GPR or core verification. We also use the PS 300 on heritage assessment where partial GPR scans suggest reinforcement geometry inconsistent with the original construction era — for example, on the Prince Consort Hotel boundary wall where Heli-Fix tie installation required precise location of pre-existing wall ties. The PS 300 confirmed the original tie pattern before specification of the strengthening pattern. Calibration practice: TRSC verifies the PS 300 cover reading against a single hammer-tested exposure point at the start of each investigation, particularly on saturated or chloride-contaminated concrete where the PS 300 calibration assumption (standard dry concrete) does not hold. Field use on Q1 Tower (penthouse panel anchorage), Marina Mirage (pile cap reinforcement verification), and 12 Creek Street (facade reinforcement-cover survey). The instrument is also TRSC's preferred secondary tool for chloride-profile sampling location selection: the PS 300 maps the cover to nearest reinforcement at each candidate sampling point, enabling the chloride-profile core depth to be specified relative to actual cover rather than design-intent cover, which materially improves the validity of any time-to-corrosion calculation derived from the chloride-profile result.