Risk Based Inspection
It is a risk assessment and management process that focuses on the loss of containment of pressurized equipment in processing facilities, due to damage mechanisms.
This methodology is based on API 580 and API RP 581 Standards, which provide quantitative procedures to establish an inspection program using risk-based methods for fixed pressurized equipment, including pressure vessels, pipes, tanks, pressure relief devices (PRD) and heat exchanger tube bundles, likewise, provides guidance for developing inspection programs for equipment in refining, petrochemical, chemical process, and oil and gas production facilities.
Advantages of IBR
Reduces the risk of high-consequence failures (damage to people, the environment and/or facilities).
Improves the profitability of inspection and maintenance resources (reduction of costs due to poor ratings in insurance companies).
Provides a basis for the transfer of resources from lower to higher risk equipment (budget optimization for inspection and maintenance).
The RBI methodology completely replaces time-based inspections (unreliable and does not guarantee prioritizing critical equipment).
The methodology allows to identify components of greater criticality, giving them more attention, on the other hand, it also identifies components of minor criticality, whose inspection periods could be longer.
Optimization of inspections, focusing on inspection time in the most dangerous or difficult to access places.
The methodology facilitates maintenance planning.
Costs associated with unscheduled equipment failure and/or plant shutdowns are reduced.
