Chapter 11 - Inspection

Abstract

The purpose of an inspection program is to assure management that the facility’s equipment and instrumentation can be operated safely and reliably and to identify problems and to take corrective actions when such problems do occur. The inspection program should include the following management features: the selection of the type of inspection program: rule-based and risk-based (or a mix of the two); monitoring of the physical conditions of the vessels and columns, the type, rate and cause of corrosion, erosion, hydrogen blistering, stress cracking, or other deterioration; monitoring the performance of other equipment, particularly rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors; recording of corrosion rates, mechanisms of corrosion, locations of corrosion, and inhibitors used, including the use of internal corrosion coupons; providing management with information to do with types of equipment failure, maintenance, and repair methods; and inspection and maintenance records of pressure relief valves and other safety-critical devices.