Inspection of Relief Devices per API RP 576

Introduction

API RP 576, Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices, is a recommended practice developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that describes inspection and repair practices for automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industries, and is intended, when used properly, to help ensure these devices perform properly. This article is intended to show the process of converting an API Recommended Practice (RP), API RP 576 into a logical work process, suitable for conversion into a comprehensive job procedure.   

Specific workflow steps suitable for collecting data drive improved asset performance.  Please note, that a much more granular data collection approach is possible. The potential benefit of increasing data collection granularity is the ability to look at larger data sets to identify issues, specific to equipment in specific services. This article provides a method to utilize API RP 576 into a “Big Data” record creator using the process laid out herein.

RP 576 is one of the more challenging RPs to fully implement for three reasons:

1. The current edition is not completely aligned to workflows and workflow steps, requiring significant effort by the user to accomplish this result.
2. A major rewrite of the RP occurred with the 4th edition, along with substantive changes to the requirements.  This makes updating prior internal standards a big effort.
3. Many of the paragraphs contain multiple requirements.

This article is intended to show the process of converting an API RP 576, into a work process, suitable for conversion into a job procedure. It is also intended to provide additional input, such as lessons learned, that will make the document more relevant. It is not intended to duplicate in whole or in part the API RP 576 Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices document.