Meridium Mechanical Integrity

Complies with API Standards

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

Comparison of Meridium Risk Based

Inspection with API Standards
As companies operate in todays competitive environment, owner
operators are continuously striving to improve process safety and
environmental stewardship while accomplishing their business
objectives of operating in a cost effective manner.
While pursuing these objectives, one of the methodologies that
has gained widespread acceptance is Risk-Based Inspection (RBI).
The American Petroleum Institute (API) 580 is one of the first
RBI standards published that outlines the essential elements of
an RBI program specifically as it pertains to secondary failures or
failures associated with loss of containment and use of inspection
activities to manage the risk associated with these type of failures.
The Meridium Mechanical Integrity work process and RBI
software application, as well as its implementation process, were
developed in 1996 and is fully aligned with the requirements of
API RP580 for RBI as well as API 510, 570 and 653 for Inspection
and Thickness Monitoring.
The following information provides details of the Meridium RBI
methodology and comparison to the key requirements of

API 510
Pressure
Vessel
Inspection
Code:

When an owner/user chooses to conduct a

RBI assessment, it must include a systematic
evaluation of both the probability of failure
and consequence of failure in accordance with
API 580.
-API 510 Section 5.2

API 570
Piping
Inspection
Code:

An RBI assessment may be used to increase

or decrease the inspection intervals and extent
defined in the inspection code.
-API 570 Section 6.1

External visual inspection intervals can be

established by using a valid RBI assessment
conducted in accordance with API RP 580.

API RP580.

-API 570 Section 6.4

Does Meridium RBI Comply with

API 580 requirements?

When the owner/user chooses to conduct a

RBI assessment it must include a systematic
evaluation of both the likelihood of failure
and the associated consequence of failure, in
accordance with API RP 580.

Yes, Meridium fully complies with API 580 requirements for

Risk Based Inspection. In fact, Meridium exceeds it in several
ways. But first, lets focus on the compliance facts by walking
through a scenario at a facility.

-API 570 Section 5.1

It is essential that all RBI assessments be
thoroughly documented in accordance with
API RP 580
-API 570 Section 5.1

The Plant Scenario

The corporate office contacted the Plant Manager with an updated
business strategy for the facility. In order to meet the new goals,
the Plant Manager decides he needs to extend inspection intervals.
API 653

He contacts his Chief Inspector and asks him to find a way to

increase his inspection intervals. The Chief Inspector explains that
he will need to complete some research on what the current codes
require and he will get back to him with some options.

RBI can be used to determine inspection

intervals and the type and extent of future
inspection/examinations.
-API 510 Section 5.2

Tank
Inspection,
Repair,
Alteration, and
Reconstruction:

An owner-operator may establish the

internal inspection interval using risk based
inspection (RBI) procedures.
-API 653 Section 6.4.3

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

Meridium Asset Integrity Services provides a bid on the

project using an estimated value proposition.

Did You Know...

these key facts about the Meridium RBI methodology?

The Corrosion Loop concept and definition of

the associated operating window streamlines
the analysis and adds clarity.
Execution of the Meridium RBI analysis as a

The Chief Inspector reviews the API 580 essential elements,

including the 11 steps in applying the principles of a Risk Based
Inspection program. They are:
1.Understand the design premise
2. Plan the RBI assessment
3. Data collection

team effort is defined as a pre-requisite, which

4. Identify damage mechanisms and failure modes

stimulates cross functional integrity team

5. Assess POF

building and exchange of best practices.

The approach is very practical, easy to apply
and transparent.
The integrated framework of Meridium allows
for seamless analysis, consistency of approach

6. Assess COF
7. Risk determination, assessment, and management
Risk management with inspection and process control
8. Other risk mitigation activities

and synergy with other strategy assessment

9. Reassessment and updating

methodologies including RCM and SIS.

10. Roles, responsibilities, training, and qualifications

11. Documentation and record keeping
API 580 Section 1.1

After reviewing API 510, API 570, API 653 and NB 23, the Chief
Inspector finds the following information:
He reports back to the Plant Manager that extending the
inspection intervals is possible by following API 580 and
creating a Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program.
The Plant Manager commissions an RBI study to determine
initial inspection interval extension.
The Chief Inspector creates a Request for Quote (RFQ) for
bid by contractors knowledgeable in RBI.

What is an RBI Process?

The RBI process is focused on maintaining the mechanical integrity
of pressure equipment items and minimizing the risk of a loss of
containment. RBI is not a substitute for a Process Hazards Analysis
(PHA) or a HAZOP (operational hazards) study. Typically, PHA
risk assessments focus on the process unit design and operating
practices for a unit, and their adequacy given the units current
or anticipated operating conditions. RBI complements the PHA
by focusing solely on the mechanical integrity related degradation
mechanisms and risk mitigation through inspection.

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

How Does Meridium Address RBI?

The API 580 Standard and Meridiums Capabilities

API 580
Understand the design premise

Procedure to review Design as part of PDM assignment

Plan the RBI assessment

Proven and Implemented Best Practices

Data Collection

Consolidated Data Storage Provided for all Necessary Data Required

for Calculations and Inspection Planning.

Identify damage mechanisms and failure modes

Degradation Mechanism Library

Assess POF

POF Calculated using API 581 ar/t tables

Assess COF

COF Calculated using EPA RMP Dispersion Models

Risk determination, assessment & management

Meridium RBI Work Process

Risk management with inspection and process control

Meridium Strategy Logic Cases integrated with Recommendation

Manager

Other risk mitigation activities

RBI allows the inclusion of other activities Containment, ASM, etc.

Reassessment and updating

Proven and Implemented Best Practices

Roles, training, responsibilities, and qualifications

Meridium uses HR Roles and Securities

Documentation and record keeping

Archived Assessments and Reference Documents, Auditable Process

Relative risk ranking

Meridium uses a 5x5 Matrix that can be used to plot components of

an asset or assets within a Unit or Organization

A detailed inspection plan

Meridium Strategy Logic Cases integrated with Recommendation

Manager

Description of other risk mitigation activities

Meridium Integration to EAM allows visibility of Work Histories

Mitigated risk levels

Meridium can show these results through Future/What If Analyses

Risk drivers identified

Meridium Allows Clear Visibility between drivers such as,

Flammability, Toxicity, Production Losses as well as by Damage
Mechanisms

Management system for maintaining documentation,

personnel qualifications, data requirements, consistency
of the program, and analysis updates

Defined Mechanical Integrity Work Processes

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

The primary audience for RP 580 is inspection and

engineering personnel who are responsible for ensuring the
mechanical integrity and operability of equipment covered by
this recommended practice. However, while an organizations
Inspection/Materials Engineering group may champion the RBI
initiative, RBI is not exclusively an inspection activity.
RBI requires the involvement of various parts of the organization
such as maintenance and operations. Implementation of the
resulting RBI product (e.g. inspection plans, replacement/
upgrading, etc.) may rest with more than one organization. In
this context, while the primary audience may be inspection and
materials engineering personnel, others within the organization
who are likely to be involved should be familiar with the
concepts and principles embodied in the RBI methodology.

What are the Expected

Outcomes of Applying
an RBI Process?
Back at the plant, the Chief Inspector inquires about the expected
outcomes of applying an RBI process. API 580 states that there is
a Linkage of risks with appropriate inspection, process control
or other risk mitigation activities (API 580 Section 1.1).
This means that there is a reason for everything we do. In the past,
we may have been conducting inspections because it was timebased, regulatory defined, or simply because that is what we were
told to do. RBI allows us to create inspection plans that are based
on risk. In addition to inspections, risks can also be mitigated by
other activities such as changing/monitoring process conditions,
adding non-corrosive liners, etc. Additionally, if there is no or
limited risk, we can move the inspections to greater intervals.

Additionally, outcomes are:

Relative risk ranking

A detailed inspection plan
Description of other risk mitigation activities
Mitigated risk levels, and
Identifying risk drivers.

RBI Assessment Approaches

There are 3 assessment approaches, described in API 580.
They are:
Quantitative
Semi-Quantitative
Qualitative.

What are the key elements

in any RBI program?
Management system for maintaining
documentation, personnel qualifications, data
requirements, consistency of the program, and
analysis updates.
Documented method of POF determination.
Documented method of COF determination.
Documented methodology for managing risk
through inspection, process control, and other
mitigation activities.

But which is the best? Back at the plant, the Chief Inspector and
decides to review the benefits of each, and then review API 580
for additional input.
When we talk about the Qualitative approach to RBI, we mean
a group of experts decide the level of risk through consensus.
This approach is faster than the others. However, it is critiqued
as being based on opinion, having a lower number of options
and non-repeatable. This is due to the experts determining a low/
medium/high risk value, and the fact that the group may not be
the same 5 years later during the next risk assessment.
On the other end of the continuum, we have the Quantitative
approach. This approach is data-intensive, with high associated
cost and time. This approach considers factors far beyond the
scope of the risk of the asset, such as weather patterns and
surrounding populations.
The intermediate approach is Semi-Quantitative. This approach
provides a consistent approach to risk assessment as it is
repeatable, cost-effective, efficient, and combines the best of both
the Qualitative and Quantitative approaches.
So how does API 580 define the approaches?

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

Comparison of RBI Assessment Approaches

RBI
Assessment
Quantitative

Characteristics

(as described by API 580)

Results should be a fair approximation of the actual risk of loss of containment

due to deterioration.
Analysis has high level of detail and is more precise
Uses logic models (event trees and fault trees)
Requires more detailed quantitative input data for the models
Uses logic models (event trees and fault trees) Results are usually numeric (ex: $/yr)
Sensitivity analysis becomes more important

SemiQuantitative

Not as rigorous as quantitative

Faster than quantitative
Results usually given in consequence and probability categories
Less detailed data required than quantitative
Less time required for data gathering and analysis than quantitative

Qualitative

Based on engineering judgment and experience

Low level of detail
Generally conservative
Effective screening tool
Does not require detailed quantitative data
Inputs given in data ranges instead of discrete values
Results are typically qualitative (High, Med, Low)
Requires a higher level of judgment, skill, and understanding

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

Meridium uses the

Semi-Quantitative
Approach

The Meridium APM Mechanical Integrity and RBI toolset uses the
Semi-Quantitative approach for RBI assessment.
Meridium utilizes the benefits of a Qualitative assessment in that it is
cost-and time-efficient.
Furthermore, it employs up to 30 inputs to estimate risk enabling a
repeatable risk assessment process.
By balancing the two, Meridium is able to provide a process that is
practical and easy to apply.
Make sure your work processes and your software
support Mechanical Integrity compliance.

Meridium Mechanical Integrity Complies with API Standards

Meridium is the global leader in asset performance management

(APM) software and services for assetintensive industries.
Meridium provides insights into industrial assets for mitigating
risk and improving operational excellence. Founded in 1993 and
headquartered in Roanoke, VA (USA), Meridium pioneered the
vision, software and technology behind APM. Today, Meridium
serves marketleading companies with more than 1,000 licensed
sites around the globe.

Corporate Headquarters
Roanoke, Virginia, USA +1.540.344.9205
Regional Office
Houston, Texas, USA +1.281.920.9616
Europe
Madrid, Spain +34.91.562.84.28
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates +971.4.365.4808
Asia/Pacific
Singapore +65.9764.1244

www.meridium.com
info @meridium.com
062014v35