Title: API 571: Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry

Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API)

Purpose: API 571 provides guidelines and recommendations for the identification,
assessment, and mitigation of damage mechanisms that affect fixed equipment in the
refining industry. The standard aims to enhance safety, reliability, and integrity
management practices for equipment such as pressure vessels, piping, storage tanks,
and heat exchangers.

Key Components:

1. Damage Mechanisms: API 571 categorizes various damage mechanisms that can
occur in refining equipment, including corrosion, cracking, mechanical damage,
and other degradation mechanisms. It provides detailed descriptions, causes, and
contributing factors for each mechanism.
2. Assessment Techniques: The standard outlines methods and techniques for
assessing the severity, extent, and progression of damage mechanisms, including
inspection, testing, monitoring, and analysis approaches. It emphasizes the
importance of understanding equipment operating conditions and history in
assessing damage.
3. Mitigation Strategies: API 571 recommends mitigation measures and best
practices for managing and controlling damage mechanisms, such as materials
selection, design considerations, corrosion inhibitors, protective coatings, and
maintenance strategies. It also addresses the importance of implementing
effective inspection and monitoring programs.
4. Integration with Integrity Management Programs: The standard provides
guidance on integrating API 571 assessments and recommendations into overall
integrity management programs for refining facilities. It emphasizes the need for
a systematic approach to identifying, prioritizing, and managing damage
mechanisms to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Scope of Coverage: API 571 covers a wide range of damage mechanisms relevant to
the refining industry, including:

 Corrosion mechanisms such as uniform corrosion, localized corrosion (e.g.,

pitting, crevice corrosion), and environmental cracking (e.g., stress corrosion
cracking, hydrogen-induced cracking).
  Mechanical damage mechanisms such as fatigue, vibration-induced damage, and
erosion/corrosion.
 High-temperature damage mechanisms such as creep, thermal fatigue, and
carburization.
 Other degradation mechanisms related to materials degradation, manufacturing
defects, and operational issues.

Industry Impact: API 571 is a critical resource for engineers, inspectors, maintenance
personnel, and asset integrity professionals involved in the design, operation,
maintenance, and inspection of refining equipment. It helps industry stakeholders
identify and mitigate potential risks to equipment integrity, prevent accidents and
failures, and optimize asset performance and reliability.

Continuing Education: Given the evolving nature of damage mechanisms and industry
best practices, API 571 emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and
professional development. Engineers and inspectors are encouraged to stay updated
with the latest advancements, technologies, and standards through ongoing training,
certification, and participation in industry forums and conferences.

Conclusion: API 571 serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding, assessing, and
managing damage mechanisms affecting fixed equipment in the refining industry. By
providing detailed information, assessment techniques, and mitigation strategies, the
standard supports the goal of maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient operation of
refining facilities while minimizing risks to personnel, the environment, and surrounding
communities.