CODE UPDATES NEWS: SUMMER 2018

New API RP 571 Damage Mechanisms draft

We hear on the committee grapevine that a new draft version of API RP 571 Damage Mechanisms is in circulation. This excellent document is part of most of the API Certification exam scopes and is fast becoming the standard industry reference for this subject. We’re off to review the new draft and see what it says about some of the most unpredictable DMs such as CUI, fatigue and SCC.

API 1169 Pipeline Inspector Certification

Note there is a NEW API 5L EDITION scheduled for release in November 2018.This is a relevant code for those of you involved in API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector exam training as this code is part of the closed-book body of knowledge (BoK). There’s new requirements added about:

 Note also the following changes to  the API 1169 exam format:

API 1169 ‘Pretest’ Questions

In line with the 510/570/653 exams, API will now be adding 15 so-called ‘pretest’ questions to the 1169 exam beginning with the August 2018 testing window. There will now me be 115 questions in total. Of these, 100 are scored and 15 that not scored (BUT you don’t know which is which). There is nothing new about this approach; it’s just the way that API do a trial run on questions before including them in the ‘scored’ part of the exam. If you have any queries about this, contact us and we will be pleased to explain it to you

API Source Inspector (SIFE) Webinar

This is not a code change but is important if you require further information on the API Source Inspector Fixed Equipment (SIFE) Certification programme. You can now see an on-line webinar ‘The Role of the Source Inspector in the Quality Assurance Process’. If you are interested in the SIFE program (and like webinars) have a look at the session here.

API Recommended Practice 576, Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices

Please note that this is now on the 4th Edition issued in April 2017. We have seen training delegates using the old version of this with obsolete information in a few areas including

• Definitions
• Damage Mechanisms
• Inspection activities

A lot of the new edition involves rearrangement of the existing content but the result is positive. It’s easier to understand on first reading than the previous version ,so we like it.

ASME Standards Update

ASME standards are being constantly revised and updated. Although many are not directly related to the plant integrity/inspection industry, you can see the latest ASME update list here.

One you may not be too familiar with is ASME PCC-3: Inspection Planning using RBI methods. You can use to supplement API 580: RBI when you implement RBI in practice. If you have any questions about its relevance, please contact us with your enquiry.

Proposed 2019 changes to ASME VIII Scopes

We have seen information that ASME Standards is proposing to modify the scope rules of ASME BPVC Section VIII, Divisions 1, 2, and 3 for the 2019 edition. These actions will remove several current exclusions, more clearly define vessels that were considered when developing the ASME VIII code and provide guidance for mandatory application of ASME Certification Marks. We’ll keep you informed when we find out if these changes will have any significant effect on vessel inspection activities.

API RP 583: Corrosion under Insulation and Fireproofing

This API Recommended Practice (RP) is still on the 2014 edition but should be due for updating in the next year or so. It’s a useful summary of the problem of CUI; you can see the API RP 583 content breakdown here.

API RP 579: New Mechanical Fatigue section

The latest 2016 API RP 579 Fitness-For-Service publication includes a new section 14 on Mechanical Fatigue. There’s also substantive changes to some of the other sections. Here’s a useful summary. 

WE LOVE READING CODES: If you have any integrity code-related queries then feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can help you out