Risk Based Inspection

Risk-based inspection methodology (RBI) evolved in the mid-’90s and within two decades it has gained significant acceptance and application across industry. Many organizations have benefited from the risk-based approach for optimizing their inspection resources and getting maximum availability of their assets.

Some of the benefits from RBI may include:

Increased facility availability, improved reliability
Focused inspection on high risk equipment
Increased intervals between inspections
Shorter and fewer facility shutdowns
Clearer understanding of high-risk equipment and ability to implement mitigation measures
Identified deterioration modes and mechanisms
Significant reduction in total cost of inspection
Regulatory compliance/acceptance
Improved Turnaround planning
Better-informed, documented, defensible decisions

There are a handful of standards and recommended practices covering RBI such as API 580/581, ASME PCC3, DNV-RP-G101, & RIMAP. Most of these guidelines provide either oversimplified or complex explanations. For starters, it is difficult to learn all the aspects that are critical to the successful implementation of RBI. The purpose of this article is to discuss the fundamental elements of effective RBI system implementation in a simplified manner.

An effective RBI system implementation results in, not only safeguarding your assets & people but can also reduce unnecessary inspection activities that may be required due to conventional & non-systematic approaches. However, some essential elements are required to accomplish this, including:

Solid commitment from the management and stake holders
A team of knowledgeable, qualified specialists and engineers from departments such as corrosion, inspection, maintenance/reliability, process, production and operation etc.
Availability of design, construction, historical records and inspection data
Suitable methodology and software for the assessments
Utilization of latest technologies for inspection

RBI programs may suffer in delivering desired results due to lack of understanding regarding the effective implementation strategy and these essential elements. A general misconception regarding RBI is “the reduction of inspection cost”, which may not necessarily be true all of the time as the focus of RBI is to understand and reduce the risk associated with the operation of an asset or facility, not just the inspection costs. However, cost reduction can be an attribute of a well-implemented RBI program, which is achievable long term. Therefore, a better understanding of inputs and outputs is required before and after implementation.

ICE provides a step by step approach to assist the end-user in establishing a state of the artfully functional and sustainable RBI that would match the company’s needs. More importantly, ICE shall realistically identify and plan for managing the degradation risks at the plant.

ICE shall offer the following in its RBI program:

Establishing the Specification/Standard Operating Procedure for RBI
Develop the Key data input for RBI ranging from Corrosion Control Documents,Corrosion Circuits, Integrity Operating Windows, Assets Data Base, Inspection and Maintenance History
Choosing the best RBI tool/solution that would meet the client’s needs and requirements
Facilitating the RBI workshops
Issuance of RBI reports, inspection and monitoring plans
Provide RBI training