Maximum interval for Thickness measurements should be half the remaining life or the

intervals suggested in Table 6-1, whichever is lower

8. External visual inspections, should be conducted at maximum intervals listed in
Table 6-1

9.

A RBI assessment may be used to increase or decrease the inspection limits

described in Table 6-1.

10. These RBI assessments shall be reviewed and approved by a piping engineer and
authorized piping inspector at intervals not to exceed the respective limits in Table
6-1, or more often if warranted by process, or consequence changes
11.

Following the external visual inspection of susceptible systems, additional

examination is required for the inspection of CUI. The extent and type of the
additional CUI inspection are listed in Table 6-2.

12. Piping systems that are known to have a remaining life of over 10 years or that are
adequately protected against external corrosion need not be included for the NDE
inspection recommended in Table 6-2.
13. Small-bore piping (SBP) that is primary process piping should be inspected in
accordance with all the requirementsof API 570.

14. Class 1 secondary SBP shall be inspected to the same requirements as primary
process piping. Inspection of Class 2 and Class 3 secondary SBP is optional, but
deadlegs in Class 2 and Class 3 systems should be inspected

PUNCH POINTS

API 570, Piping Inspection Code (June 2006)

(DAY 3 - Sections 7 to 9)

SECTION 7INSPECTION DATA EVALUATION, & ANALYSIS

Remaining Life Calculations
1. The remaining life of the piping system shall be calculated from the following formula:
Remaining life = (t actual t required)/ Corrosion rate
where
t actual = the actual thickness, measured at the time of inspection ,
t required = the required thickness, at the same location computed by the design
formulas before corrosion allowance is added.
2

The long-term (LT) corrosion rate of piping circuits shall be calculated from the
following formula:
Corrosion rate (L.T.) =

t initial t actual
No. of years between t initial & tactual

3.

The short term (ST) corrosion rate of piping circuits shall be calculated from the
following formula:
Corrosion rate (S.T.) =

t previous t actual
No. of years betn t previous & t actual

where
t initial = the thickness, at the same location as t actual measured at initial
installation,
t previous = the thickness, at the same location as t actual measured during
previous inspection.
4.

The authorized inspector, in consultation with a corrosion specialist, shall select the
corrosion rate that best reflects the current process.
Newly Installed Piping Systems or Changes in Service

5. For new piping systems and piping systems for which service conditions are being
changed, one of the following methods shall be employed to determine the rate of
corrosion
a. A corrosion rate for a piping circuit may be calculated from data collected by
the owner/user on piping systems of similar material in comparable service.
b. If data for the same or similar service are not available, a corrosion rate may
be estimated from the from published data on piping
c. If the probable corrosion rate cannot be determined by either method listed in
item a or item b, the initial thickness measurement determinations shall be made
after no more than 3 months of service Subsequent measurements shall be
made after appropriate intervals until the corrosion rate is established.
Maximum allowable working pressure determination
6. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for the continued use of piping
systems shall be established using the applicable code..
7.

For unknown materials, computations may be made assuming the lowest grade
material and joint efficiency in the applicable code.

8.

When the MAWP is recalculated, the wall thickness used in these computations shall
be the actual thickness as determined by inspection minus twice the estimated
corrosion loss before the date of the next inspection

9. Pressure containing components found to have degradation or flaws shall be evaluated

for continued service. Fitness-for service techniques, such as those documented in API
RP 579,
SECTION 8REPAIRS, ALTERATIONS, AND RERATING
Authorization
1. All

repair and alteration work must be must be authorized by the inspector prior to its

commencement.
2.

Authorization for alteration work to a piping system may not be given without prior
consultation with, and approval by, the piping engineer.

3. The inspector will designate any inspection hold points required during the repair or
alteration sequence. The inspector may give prior general authorization for limited or
routine repairs and procedures.
4. All proposed methods of design, execution, materials, welding procedures, examination,
and testing must be approved by the inspector or by the piping engineer, as
appropriate.
5. Owner/user approval of on-stream welding is required
6. Welding repairs of cracks that occurred in-service should not be attempted without prior
consultation with the piping engineer

7 The inspector shall approve all repair and alteration work at designated hold points and
after the repairs and alterations
Temporary Repairs
8 For temporary repairs, a full encircle