Risk-Based-Inspection

Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) based on API RP 580/581
Official API 3-Day Course
Earn 2.4 CEUs

Optional 1-Day Equity Engineering Problem Solving Course

Click the training location under Upcoming Sessions to see course-specific details including venue, pricing and a link for registration.

Course Description

RBI Focuses Resources, Optimizes Inspection Planning

A Joint Industry Project for Risk-Based Inspection (RBI JIP) was initiated and managed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) within the refining and petrochemical industry in 1994. The work of this JIP resulted in two publications:

• API RP 580 Risk-Based Inspection
• API RP 581 Risk-Based Inspection Technology

API RP 580 introduces the principles and presents minimum general guidelines for developing a RBI program for fixed equipment and piping. API RP 581 provides quantitative RBI methods to establish an inspection program. Together, these two documents comprise a widely-recognized standard for industry-accepted RBI practices.

This API training course helps attendees understand and use RBI technology, develop a program, and learn which RBI procedures and working processes comply with industry standards.

Recent Developments & Technology Improvements

The API RBI JIP has made major advancements since the publication of the initial documents. A complete re-write of API RP 581 as an API Recommended Practice was released in June 2008 and captures new technology that has been developed by the API JIP, to provide a logical step-by-step procedure that will enable practitioners to better understand the methodology, and to make the technology clear to facilitate an effective peer review. The title of the document has been changed to API RBI Technology to emphasize the fact that significant technology, including industry best practices, is required to effectively implement, run and maintain a RBI program. This second edition of API RP 581, published in 2008, presents the API RBI methodology in a 3-part volume:

Part 1 – Inspection Planning Using API RBI Technology

Part 2 – Determination of Probability of Failure in an API RBI Assessment

Part 3 – Consequence Analysis in an API RBI Assessment

This course describes the advances made in RBI technology, including an overview of a new consequence modeler designed to evaluate complex fluids.

Managing Risk Through Inspection Planning

The API Risk-Based Inspection (API RBI) methodology is used to manage the overall risk of a plant by focusing inspection efforts on the process equipment with the highest risk. API RBI provides the basis for making informed decisions on inspection frequency, the extent of inspection, and the most suitable type of NDE. In most processing plants, a large percent of the total unit risk will be concentrated in a relatively small percent of the equipment items. These potential high-risk components may require greater attention, perhaps through a revised inspection plan. The cost of the increased inspection effort may sometimes be offset by reducing excessive inspection efforts in the areas identified as having lower risk.

The calculation of risk in API RBI involves the determination of a Probability of Failure combined with the Consequence of Failure. Failure in API RBI is defined as a loss of containment from the pressure boundary resulting in leakage to the atmosphere or rupture of a pressurized component. As damage accumulates in a pressurized component during in-service operation the risk increases. At some point, a risk tolerance or risk target is exceeded and a more effective inspection is recommended to better quantify the damage state of the component. The inspection action itself does not reduce the risk; however, it does reduce uncertainty thereby allowing better quantification of the damage present. API RBI technology systematically factors risk into inspection decision-making, helping identify areas of vulnerability by confirming equipment condition, identifying damage mechanisms and rates, and predicting Probability of Failure. The outputs of a RBI study help plant personnel make more informed decisions and target inspection dollars where they are needed most and more effectively manage reliability.

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Course Outline

Official API 3-Day Course

• A. Overview of Risk-Based Inspection Principles
• B. Introduction to API RP 580
• C. Introduction to the 2nd Edition of API RP 581
• D. Risk Determination & Inspection Planning
• E. Assessing Damage Mechanisms & Probability of Failure
• F. Assessing Consequences of Failure
• G. Assessing Various Risk Determinations
• H. Identifying, Understanding and Managing Risk Drivers
• I. Risk-Based Inspection Planning
• J. Financial Risk & Cost Benefit Analysis
• K. Reassessment & Updating
• L. Understanding Sensitivities of the Risk Models

It also includes:

• Worked example exercises to demonstrate the step-by-step calculation of risk, as outlined in API RP 581, Second Edition
• Discussion of risk determination and inspection planning for pressure vessels, piping, pressure relief devices, aboveground storage tanks and heat exchanger bundles.

Optional 1–Day Problem Solving Course

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 example problems and discuss the procedures and solutions in detail.

Typical problems solved during the session include:

• area consequence of failure calculations
• thinning and cracking damage factor calculations
• financial consequence costs including:
  • component and affected equipment
  • personnel injury
  • production loss
• calculation of risk
• inspection plan development

Calculations will be done for a typical pressure vessel, atmospheric storage tank, heat exchanger bundle, and pressure relief device.

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.

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Who Should Attend

Refining and petrochemical engineers and inspectors.

Plant personnel from the pulp and paper, oil and natural gas, and chemical industries may also find the course beneficial.

A working knowledge of basic equipment is recommended.

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General Information

Please check class times carefully! Class begins at 8:00 and ends at 5:00, except on the last day when class ends at 4:00.

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 course and completing an evaluation form.

Registrants receive a workbook containing all slides and presentation handouts.

A calculator is required for problems performed in class.

The fee does not include copies of the API documents.

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.

Cancellations

• Up to 14 days prior to the course, a 25% fee is deducted from your refund.
• 13 to 6 days prior to the course, a 50% fee is deducted.
• Within 5 days of the course, a 75% fee is deducted.

NO REFUNDS FOR NO SHOWS.
However, course attendee substitutions may be made at any time.

API and The Equity Engineering Group, Inc. reserve the right to cancel a course if minimum enrollment is not reached and to modify the agenda and/or faculty when circumstances are beyond our control.