Instrumentation, Control, and Protective Systems for Gas Fired Heaters, Second Edition

This recommended practice (RP) provides guidelines that specifically apply to instrument, control and protective system installations for gas fired heaters in petroleum production, refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants. Not covered in this RP are the following:

• oil fired and combination fired heaters;
• water tube boilers which consist of single or multiple burners and are designed for utility operation or where the primary purpose is steam generation;
• fired steam generators used to recover heat from combustion turbines;
• oven and furnaces used for the primary purpose of incineration, oxidation, reduction or destruction of the process medium;
• water bath or oil bath indirect fired heaters;
• CO boilers, pyrolysis furnaces, and other specialty heaters.

This RP includes primary measuring and actuating instruments, controls, alarms, and protective systems as they apply to fired heaters.

Ordering information and availability

Available in both printed and PDF file edition.

Installation of Underground Hazardous Substances or Petroleum Storage Systems, Sixth Edition

This Recommended Practice (RP) is a guide to procedures and equipment that should be used for the proper installation of underground storage systems for bulk petroleum products or used oil at retail and commercial facilities. The stored products include gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, lubricating oils, used oil, and certain bio-fuel blends. (For information on alcohol/gasoline blends, see API 1626. The product manufacturer and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) should be consulted with regard to the proper storage of all products.)

This RP is intended for use by architects, engineers, tank owners, tank operators, and contractors. Contractors, engineers, and owners or operators who are preparing to design or install an UST system should investigate the federal, state, and local requirements and current methods of compliance for vapor recovery in that region. Vapor recovery is covered in detail in Section 17 of this document. For more information on the design and installation of vapor recovery systems, see NFPA 30A, and PEI RP 300

This RP is not intended to cover specialized installations, such as fuel storage systems at marinas or airports, heating oil storage systems (either residential or bulk), or systems installed inside buildings. However, it does outline recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices which may be of use for these specialized installations. This RP does not apply to the installation of below ground or above ground bulk storage systems greater than 60,000 gal.

Ordering information and availability

Available in both printed and secure PDF file edition.

Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry, Second Edition (printed edition includes 3-ring binder)

This recommended practice provides general guidance as to the most likely damage mechanisms affecting common alloys used in the refining and petrochemical industry and is intended to introduce the concepts of service-induced deterioration and failure modes. These guidelines provide information that can be utilized by plant inspection personnel to assist in identifying likely causes of damage; to assist with the development of inspection strategies; to help identify monitoring programs to ensure equipment integrity.

The summary provided for each damage mechanism provides the fundamental information required for an FFS assessment performed in accordance with API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 or an RBI study performed in accordance with API RP 580.

The damage mechanisms in this recommended practice cover situations encountered in the refining and petrochemical industry in pressure vessels, piping, and tankage. The damage mechanism descriptions are not intended to provide a definitive guideline for every possible situation that may be encountered, and the reader may need to consult with an engineer familiar with applicable degradation modes and failure mechanisms, particularly those that apply in special cases.

This document incorporates information gathered from major incidents in the refining industry and is intended to be consistent with applicable API documents as well as other related best-industry standards and practices. It is intended to provide guidance to inspection personnel but should not be considered the final technical basis for damage mechanism assessment and analysis.

Ordering information and availability

Available in both printed and secure PDF file edition.

Risk-Based Inspection, Second Edition (Recommended Practice)

API Recommended Practice 580 provides users with the basic elements for developing, implementing and maintaining a risk-based inspection (RBI) program. It provides guidance to owners, operators, and designers of pressure-containing equipment for developing and implementing an inspection program. These guidelines include means for assessing an inspection program and its plan. The approach emphasizes safe and reliable operation through risk-prioritized inspection. A spectrum of complementary risk analysis approaches (qualitative through fully-quantitative) can be considered as part of the inspection planning process. RBI guideline issues covered include an introduction to the concepts and principles of risk-based inspection for risk management; and individual sections that describe the steps in applying these principles within the framework of the RBI process include:

• understanding the design premise;
• planning the RBI assessment;
• data and information collection;
• identifying damage mechanisms and failure modes;
• assessing probability of failure;
• assessing consequence of failure;
• risk determination, assessment and management;
• risk management with inspection activities and process control;
• other risk mitigation activities;
• reassessment and updating;
• roles, responsibilities, training and qualifications;
• documentation and record-keeping.

Ordering information

This standard is available in PDF and printed version.

Inspection of Pressure-relieving Devices, Third Edition (Recommended Practice)

API Recommended Practice 576 describes the inspection and repair practices for automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industries. As a guide to the inspection and repair of these devices in the user’s plant, it is intended to ensure their proper performance. This publication covers such automatic devices as pressure-relief valves, pilot-operated pressure-relief valves, rupture disks, and weight-loaded pressure-vacuum vents.

The scope of this RP includes the inspection and repair of automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industry. This publication does not cover weak seams or sections in tanks, explosion doors, fusible plugs, control valves, and other devices that either depend on an external source of power for operation or are manually operated. Inspections and tests made at manufacturers’ plants, which are usually covered by codes or purchase specifications, are not covered by this publication.

This publication does not cover training requirements for mechanics involved in the inspection and repair of pressure-relieving devices. Those seeking these requirements should see API 510, which gives the requirements for a quality control system and specifies that the repair organization maintain and document a training program ensuring that personnel are qualified.

Ordering information and availability

PDF for immediate download and printed edition is usually shipped in 1-2 days.

Inspection Practices for Piping System Components, Third Edition (Recommended Practice)

This recommended practice (RP) supplements API 570 by providing piping inspectors with information that can improve skill and increase basic knowledge and practices. This RP describes inspection practices for piping, tubing, valves (other than control valves), and fittings used in petroleum refineries and chemical plants. Common piping components, valve types, pipe joining methods, inspection planning processes, inspection intervals and techniques, and types of records are described to aid the inspector in fulfilling their role implementing API 570. This publication does not cover inspection of specialty items, including instrumentation and control valves.

Ordering and availability

PDF for immediate download, printed edition shipped in 1-2 days.

Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels, Third Edition (Recommended Practise)

API Recommended Practice 572 covers the inspection of pressure vessels. It includes a description of the various types of pressure vessels (including pressure vessels with a design pressure below 15 psig) and the standards for their construction and maintenance.

RP 572 also includes reasons for inspection, causes of deterioration, frequency and methods of inspection, methods of repair, and preparation of records and reports.

Ordering and availability

PDF version is available for immediate download, printed edition is usually shipped in 1-2 days.