API Inspections
Vessel Inspection
Vessel inspection is used to describe various types of reviews, tests and inspections that are performed to evaluate vessels in the process of construction/fabrication, while in service, or are in the process of repair. There are many types of vessels, so it is important to have original design data, specifications, and drawings. This information along with applicable codes and standards guide inspection activities. Design codes for vessels include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (B&PVC) which is the preeminent national authority regarding rules for construction of various types of pressure vessels. The B&PVC contains twelve sections that provide design and construction rules for most applications including fired boilers, unfired pressure vessels, heat exchangers, nuclear reactors, and transport tanks, as well as guidance for non-destructive testing (NDT) and welding/brazing. Other design sources include the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA) and international sources, such as the “Deutsches Institut fur Normung eV” (DIN, German Institute for Standardization). Recognized vessel inspection codes include API 510, “Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration,” and the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) Standard NB 23, “Part 2, Inspection.” It is the responsibility of owner/users to determine the code or standard for their application, and to provide the design data, drawings and specifications that apply to the equipment to be inspected. Vessel inspection practices generally follow the previously mentioned standards which reference codes and practices from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT). These include testing and inspection techniques such as visual testing (VT) which may include pressure/leak testing, ultrasonic testing (UT) which may include UT thickness measurements, eddy current/remote field testing (exchanger tubes), magnetic particle testing (MT) and dye penetrant testing (PT). Vessel inspection is often identified as an element of a Process Safety Management (PSM) program and a specific requirement of Mechanical Integrity (paragraph (j)) if the process materials contained by a vessel are covered by the PSM rule. Owner/users should be aware that vessel inspections often require confined space entry (CSE), and that all OSHA requirements for CSE must be followed.
Reliability Inspections, LLC (RI) is qualified to perform internal/external vessel inspections. We have considerable experience with applicable codes & standards, familiarity with most categories of vessels, understanding of vessel designs and specifications and have significant experience in proven vessel inspection processes. This includes relief device inspection, non-code vessels and special vessel designs. We can provide vessel inspection services that will meet your needs including design review, API qualified inspections, and required NDT including tube inspections. We are also qualified to evaluate and interpret testing results to applicable design and construction codes. RI employs a number of API Inspectors, API Examiners, and NDT Level II’s and III’s who are trained and qualified to write and/or implement vessel inspection programs. We can perform vessel inspection services at owner /user facilities, vendor facilities, construction sites during installation, or at fabrication shops during construction or repair. We can provide vessel inspection services in a cost effective and efficient manner for customers who have vessels for which qualified/certified inspections are essential for continued safe and reliable operation or may be required by corporate or jurisdictional requirements.
Storage Tank Inspection
Storage tank inspection is a broad description for various types of reviews, tests and inspections that are performed to evaluate tanks in the process of construction/fabrication, while in service, or are in the process of repair. There are many types of storage tanks, so it is important to have original design information and drawings. This information in conjunction with applicable codes and standards should guide inspection activities. Design codes for tanks include but are not limited to publications from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL); API 650, “Welded Tanks for Oil Storage,” API 620, “Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks,” and UL 142, “Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.” Inspection codes that apply to storage tank inspections include API 653, “Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction,” and Steel Tank Institute (STI) Standard SP001, “Standard for the Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks.” These standards generally apply to steel or stainless-steel aboveground storage tanks. There are also standards that apply to other construction materials such as fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). These include FRP Section 6 and ASME Section X. It is generally the responsibility of an owner/user to determine what code or standard best fits their application, and to provide the design information, drawings or specifications that may apply to the equipment to be inspected. Tank inspection practices generally follow but are not limited to the previously mentioned standards which reference publications from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT). These include a number of testing and inspection techniques such as visual testing & inspection (VT) which may include pressure/leak testing and/or vacuum box testing, ultrasonic testing (UT) which may include UT thickness measurements, eddy current/remote field testing (tank floors), magnetic particle testing (MT) and dye penetrant testing (PT). Storage tank inspection is often identified as an element of a Process Safety Management (PSM) program and a specific requirement of Mechanical Integrity (paragraph (j)) if the stored process materials are covered by the PSM rule. Owner/users should be aware that storage tank inspections often require confined space entry (CSE), and that all OSHA requirements for CSE must be followed.
Reliability Inspections, LLC (RI) is qualified to perform internal and external storage tank inspections. We have considerable experience with applicable codes & standards, familiarity with most categories of tanks, understanding of tank designs and specifications and have significant experience in proven tank inspection processes. We are also qualified/certified to perform tank inspections in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). We can provide tank inspection services that will meet your needs including design review, API/STI qualified inspections, and required NDT including floor scanning. We are also qualified to evaluate and interpret testing results to applicable design and construction codes. RI employs a number of API and STI Inspectors, API Examiners, and NDT Level II’s and III’s who are trained and qualified to write and/or implement tank inspection programs. We can perform tank inspection services at the owner/user’s facility, vendor facilities, construction sites at the time of installation, or at fabrication shops during construction or repair. We can provide tank inspection services in a cost effective and efficient manner for customers who have storage tanks for which qualified/certified inspections are essential for continued safe and reliable operation or may be required by corporate or jurisdictional requirements.
Piping Inspection
Piping inspection is used to describe various types of reviews, tests and inspections that are performed to evaluate piping systems in the process of construction/fabrication, while in service, or are in the process of being repaired. Piping systems have many variations, so it is important to have original design data, specifications, and drawings. This information along with applicable codes and standards guide inspection activities. Design codes for piping systems include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31 series of design standards which are the preeminent national authority regarding rules for construction of various applications for piping systems. The B31 series of piping design standards (B31.1,3,4,5,8,9,11&12) includes eight standards that provide design and construction requirements for most piping applications including power generation, process, pipelines, refrigeration, gas transportation/distribution, building services, slurry lines, and hydrogen service as well as guidance for materials, non-destructive testing (NDT) and welding. The primary, recognized piping inspection code is API 570, “Piping Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems.” It is the responsibility of owner/users to determine the code or standard for their application, and to provide the design data, drawings and specifications that apply to the equipment to be inspected. Piping inspection practices generally follow the previously mentioned standards which reference codes and practices from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT). These include testing and inspection techniques such as visual testing (VT) which may include pressure/leak testing, ultrasonic testing (UT) which may include UT thickness measurements, magnetic particle testing (MT) and dye penetrant testing (PT). Piping inspection is often identified as an element of a Process Safety Management (PSM) program and a specific requirement of Mechanical Integrity (paragraph (j)) if the process materials contained by a piping system are covered by the PSM rule.
Reliability Inspections, LLC (RI) is qualified to perform piping inspections and has considerable experience with applicable codes & standards, familiarity with most categories of piping systems, understanding of piping designs, components, and specifications, and significant experience in proven piping inspection processes. We are qualified to develop piping drawings in AutoCAD that can map piping systems in an isometric format. Our drawings include code critical components using industry standard symbology and provide mapping of identified deficiencies and monitoring locations. Our piping inspection services include design review, API qualified inspections, and required NDT. We are qualified to evaluate and interpret testing results to applicable design and construction codes. RI employs a number of API Inspectors, API Examiners, and NDT Level II’s and III’s who are trained and qualified to write and/or implement piping inspection programs. We can perform piping inspection services at owner/user facilities, vendor facilities, construction sites or fabrication shops during construction or repair. We can provide piping inspection services in a cost effective and efficient manner for customers who have piping systems for which qualified/certified inspections are essential for continued safe and reliable operation or may be required by corporate or jurisdictional requirements.