Fitness-For-Service (FFS)
Fitness-For-Service (FFS) based on the NEW API 579-1/ASME FFS-1
Official API 3-day API 579 Standard Course
Earn 2.4 CEUs
Optional 1-day Equity Engineering API 579 Example Problem Course
Click the training location under Upcoming Sessions to see course-specific details including venue, pricing and a link for registration.
To schedule a private course, please inquire at training@equityeng.com.
Course Description
FFS Helps Make Decisions to Run, Repair or Replace
The American Petroleum Institute (API) conducts training classes that can help you understand and use the techniques Fitness-For-Service Assessments of pressurized equipment including pressure vessels, piping, and tankage.
The ASME and API design codes and standards for pressurized equipment provide rules for the design, fabrication, inspection, and testing of new pressure vessels, piping systems, and storage tanks. These codes typically do not provide assessment procedures to evaluate degradation due to in-service environmentally-induced damage or from original fabrication that may be found during subsequent inspections.
Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments are engineering evaluations that are performed to demonstrate the structural integrity of an in-service component containing a flaw or damage. The first edition of API 579 was developed to provide guidance for conducting FFS assessments of flaws commonly encountered in the refining and petrochemical industry that occur in pressure vessels, piping, and tankage. However, the assessment procedures have been used to evaluate flaws encountered in other industries such as the pulp and paper industry, fossil electric power industry, and nuclear industry.
API and ASME formed a joint committee to produce a single FFS Standard that can be used for pressure-containing equipment. This standard, released in 2007, is known as API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. The new joint standard includes all topics contained in the 2000 Edition of API 579 and includes new parts covering FFS assessment procedures that address the unique damage mechanisms experienced by other industries such as the fossil electric power industry and the pulp and paper industry.
API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 for State-of-the-Art FFS Assessments
The FFS methods in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 are quantitative engineering evaluations that demonstrate the structural integrity of an in-service component that is flawed or damaged. The procedures, which are specifically prepared for equipment in the refining and chemical process industries, can be used to make run-repair-replace decisions. This is needed to ensure the safe operation of pressurized equipment that may have flaws or damage identified through inspection.
FFS procedures enable users to assess the integrity of equipment and make projections about its remaining useful life. The course teaches evaluation methods for general and localized corrosion, widespread and localized pitting, blisters, laminations, weld misalignment, shell distortions, and environmental cracking. Attendees also learn assessment methods for brittle fractures, long-term creep, and fire damage.
If the results of an FFS assessment indicate that a certain equipment component is suitable for current operating conditions, it can continue to be operated at these conditions if appropriate monitoring and inspection programs are established. If the results of the FFS assessment indicate that the equipment is not suitable for current operations, API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 provides calculations that can be used to re-rate the component.
For pressurized components (e.g. pressure vessels and piping), these assessments can be used to find a reduced maximum allowable working pressure and/or coincident temperature. For tank components (shell courses), the calculations can be applied to determine a reduced maximum fill height.
The methods and procedures in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 are intended to supplement the rules in API 510, 570, and 653 and other Inspection Codes. The procedures in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 can be used for FFS assessments and/or re-rating of components that are designed to the following codes:
- ASME B&PV Code Sec. VIII Div. 1
- ASME B&PV Code Sec. VIII Div. 2
- ASME B&PV Code Section 1
- ASME Piping Codes (B31.3/B31.1)
- API 650 and API 620
- Other international codes and internal corporate standards
Course Outline
3-Day Introductory Course
An introduction to API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 is provided to first time users. This class covers all assessment levels and is primarily intended for engineers or inspectors who perform pressure vessel calculations. Attendees should have a working knowledge of equipment design codes and standards, and basic stress calculations.
- A. Overview and Opportunities for FFS
- B. Introduction to API 579-1/ASME FFS-1
- C. FFS Assessment Procedures
- D. Damage Mechanisms Overview
- E. Assessment of Equipment for:
- - Brittle fracture
- - General Metal Loss
- - Local Metal Loss
- - Pitting Corrosion
- - HIC, SOHIC and Hydrogen Blister Damage
- - Weld Misalignment and Shell Distortions
- - Crack-Like Flaws
- - Creep Damage and Remaining Life
- - Fire Damage
- - Dents, Gouges and Dent-Gouge Combinations
- - Laminations
- F. In-Service Margins/Validation
The instructors will discuss the background and logic behind the assessment procedures and intersperse some example problems. However, due to the scope of the API 579 Standard, detailed example problem solving practice and explanation will be the focus of the additional 1-day Equity Engineering example problem course. In addition, other highlights include:
- Discussion of damage mechanisms and the importance of identification.
- Various detailed inspection techniques for damage mechanisms, with focus on flaw characterization.
- Overview of remaining life assessment, remediation, and methods to extend the life of damaged equipment.
- Presentation of practical examples of FFS procedures.
- Details on how to assess damage/flaws that are not directly covered in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
- Interaction of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 with API Publications 510 and 570, API 653, and NBIC NB-23.
- Relationship of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 with other international FFS standards.
- Future directions of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
1–Day API 579 Problem Solving Course (Equity Engineering)
The time does not allow for a detailed example problem working sessions during the API course. Therefore, an additional day has been added to provide the instructors/attendees a chance to review example problems in depth. The instructors will guide the students through the API 579-2/ASME FFS-2 Example Problem Manual and discuss the procedures and solutions in detail. Typical problems solved during the session include brittle fracture, general and local metal loss, pitting, crack-like flaws and creep.
Equity’s VCESage™ FFS Software will be used to demonstrate additional problems.
Disclaimer
API does not endorse this 1-day course or the software that Equity uses. Students can register for only the API course and are not required to take the 1-day example problem course.
Who Should Attend
Plant engineers in mechanical reliability programs, plant inspectors, central engineering staff and consultants for refining and petrochemicals.
Training in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 can also be beneficial for the fossil fuel utility, pulp and paper, nuclear energy, and other industries that use and maintain pressurized equipment.
back to topGeneral Information
Please check class times carefully! Classes start at 8:00 and end at 5:00 each day.
There is a maximum number of students for each course. Registrations, which must include payment, are accepted on first-come, first-served basis.
Attendees requiring a US Visa must register at least 2 months prior to the course to allow enough time to receive a letter of invitation and obtain a Visa.
Refreshments and lunch are provided.
Attendees earn 2.4 CEUs for attending the 3-day course and completing an evaluation form. A calculator is encouraged for problems performed in class.
Registrants receive a binder containing all slides and presentation handouts.
The fee does not include copies of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
To Buy API Documents
Contact IHS Global, Inc., the primary distributor of API publications.
Telephone: 303-397-7956
Toll-free Phone: 800-854-7179
Fax: 303-397-2740
Web: www.global.ihs.com
Email: global@ihs.com
Or send email with order information to: publications@api.org
Questions about the Course, Registration, or Special Needs? Contact Equity Engineering at training@equityeng.com.
Private Courses: This course can be held on-site anywhere. Contact training@equityeng.com for details and pricing information.
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Mr. Osage has more than 30 years experience in the refining and petrochemical industry having worked the majority for two major oil companies. He is internationally recognized as an industry expert and leader in the development and use of FFS technology. As the architect and principal contributor to the first edition of API RP 579 and API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, he developed many of the assessment methodologies and supporting technical information.
Mr. Thornton has over 28 years experience as both an owner-user and a consultant providing engineering support to refineries and chemical plants worldwide. He is a specialist in pressure vessel and piping design/analysis and performing Fitness-For-Service assessments using the rules of API 579.
With over a decade of experience as a consultant in the petrochemical industry, Mr. Janelle is an expert in finite element and numerical tools to evaluate pressure vessels and piping components. Mr. Janelle performs Fitness-For-Service and failure assessments for clients as well as teaches training courses for VCESage and API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 assessment methodology.
Mr. Sowinski has 19 years of experience in the refining and petrochemical industry as an owner-user and as a consultant providing engineering support. He is an experienced pressure vessel engineer and has performed design/analysis of pressure containing equipment to evaluate mechanical integrity and improve reliability. Mr. Sowinski has performed Fitness-For-Service assessments including evaluation of brittle fracture, general and local metal loss, and crack-like flaws using the methodologies of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
