Pressure Vessels (API 510) Piping (API 570)

Visual Thickness
Continuous service Non-continuous service Circuit description
External measurement
a) Flammable services that can autorefrigerate
(e.g., LPG)
Visual External Lower of 5 yrs or the required internal/ on- Class 1 primary process piping b) Pressurized services that can rapidly 5 5
vaporize
Inspection stream inspection The same as for vessels in
c) H2S >3%wt in gaseous stream
(done with the - or - continuous service d) Anhydrous hydrogen chloride
vessel in service) A RBI assessment may allow interval >5 yrs e) Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
f) Piping over or adjacent to water / public
Class 1 secondary SBP (≤NPS 2) throughways 5 5
g) Flammable services operating above auto-
ignition temperature
If RL ≥ 4 yrs => lower of ½ RL or 10 yrs
Class 2 primary process piping a) On-site hydrocarbons that will slowly 5 10
If RL < 4 yrs => full RL up to 2 yrs
Internal/On- vaporize during release
- or - Based on the number of b) hydrogen, fuel gas, and natural gas
stream
A RBI assessment may allow interval >½ RL years of actual service Class 2 secondary SBP (≤NPS 2) c) on-site strong acids and caustics optional optional
Inspection
or 10 yrs, but if RBI interval > 10 yrs, RBI
assessment interval not to exceed 10 yrs Class 3 primary process piping 10 10
Services that are flammable but do not
significantly vaporize when they leak and are
not located in high-activity areas
The RBI assessment shall be updated after each inspection as per API 580, Section 14. Class 3 secondary SBP (≤NPS 2) optional optional
Pressure vessel RBI records should be in accordance with API 580, Section 16.
Services that are essentially nonflammable and
Class 4 process piping optional optional
nontoxic
Tanks (API 653) Components of a piping system that normally
have no significant flow. Some examples
include blanked branches, lines with normally
First Inspection Interval Following Inspection Intervals when When
closed block valves, lines with one end blanked,
corrosion corrosion
pressurized dummy support legs, stagnant
Class 2, 3 SBP Deadlegs has been has been
Routine Visual control valve bypass piping, spare pump piping,
Monthly (do not have to be done by an Inspector) experienced or experienced or
Inspection level bridles, relief valve inlet and outlet
is anticipated is anticipated
header piping, pump trim bypass lines, high-
point vents, sample points, drains, bleeders,
Full External and instrument connections.
Inspection (visual- Locations where chemicals or process additives
Lower of RCA/4N ( ¼ corrosion life) of the shell or 5 yrs are introduced into a process stream. E.g.,
only done with the
tank in service) corrosion inhibitors, neutralizers, process
antifoulants, desalter demulsifiers, oxygen
scavengers, caustic, and water washes.
Injection Points Injection points do not include locations where by class 3
Straight 5 yrs if the corrosion rate is Lower of RCA/2N ( ½ corrosion life ) of the shell two process streams join (mix points). E.g.,
Shell UT Inspection
not known or 15 yrs chlorinating agents in reformers, water
injection in overhead systems, polysulfide
Full Internal 10 yrs Period as long as minimum bottom thickness is injection in catalytic cracking wet gas, antifoam
Inspection - or - not reached (6.4.2.2) injections, inhibitors, and neutralizers.
(mainly about a longer RBI-derived period up to - or - 12 in. (305 mm) below to 6 in. (150 mm) above
inspecting the tank 20 yrs (30 yrs with Release a RBI-derived period up to 20 yrs Soil-to-air interface the soil surface. Pipe running parallel with the by class –
bottom) Prevention Barrier) (30 yrs with Release Prevention Barrier) soil surface that contacts the soil is included.
A RBI assessment may be used to increase or decrease the inspection limits described in Table.
The results of the RBI assessment can be used to establish appropriate frequency for internal, external and in- When RBI assessment is used to increase inspection interval limits, RBI assessments shall be conducted at intervals not
service inspections. The RBI assessment shall be reviewed and approved at intervals not to exceed 10 years or to exceed the respective limits. The RBI assessment shall be updated after each piping inspection.
more often if warranted by process, equipment, or consequence changes. Piping RBI records should be in accordance with API 580.