API RP 573, Inspection of Fired Boilers and Heaters, is a recommended practice published and developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that covers the inspection practices for fired boilers and process heaters (furnaces) used in petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants. This document, and the recommendations within, are intended to improve equipment reliability and plant safety. API RP 573 describes the operating variables which impact reliability to guarantee that the appropriate data is obtained via inspection, both on- and off-stream, to guarantee the current and future performance of the equipment. This RP was originally published in 2003, and the most recent 3rd Edition was released in October of 2013.

API RP 573 covers a variety of different topics related to boilers and heaters, including a list of common boiler and heater designs and types, mechanical integrity and reliability programs, and various topics related to inspection, such as the purpose of inspection and inspector qualifications. It also provides a list of damage mechanisms commonly affecting boiler and heater tubes along with other components.

Related Topics

• API 560 - Fired Heaters for General Refinery Service
• API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 - Fitness-For-Service (FFS)
• API 594 - Check Valves: Flanged, Lug, Wafer, and Butt-Welding
• API 620 - Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
• API 650 - Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
• API 660 - Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers
• API 661 - Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Natural Gas Industries Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers
• API RP 1160 - Managing System Integrity for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines
• API RP 1173 - Pipeline Safety Management Systems
• API RP 1176 - Assessment and Management of Cracking in Pipelines
• API RP 1188 - Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Facilities Integrity Management
• API RP 538 - Industrial Fired Boilers for General Refinery and Petrochemical Service
• API RP 571 - Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry
• API RP 572 - Inspection of Pressure Vessels
• API RP 574 - Inspection Practices for Piping System Components
• API RP 575 - Inspection Practices for Atmospheric and Low Pressure Storage Tanks
• API RP 576 - Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices
• API RP 577 - Welding Processes, Inspection, and Metallurgy
• API RP 578 - Material Verification for New and Existing Alloy Piping
• API RP 580 - Risk Based Inspection (RBI)
• API RP 581 - Risk Based Inspection Technology
• API RP 583 - Corrosion Under Insulation and Fireproofing
• API RP 584 - Integrity Operating Windows
• API RP 585 - Pressure Equipment Integrity Incident Investigation
• API RP 651 - Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks
• API RP 75 - Safety and Environmental Management System for Offshore Operations
• API RP 751 - Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units
• API RP 754 - Process Safety Performance Indicators for the Refining and Petrochemical Industries
• API RP 934 - Materials and Fabrication of Heavy Wall Pressure Vessels for High-Pressure Hydrogen Ser
• API RP 939-C - Guidelines for Avoiding Sulfidation (Sulfidic) Corrosion Failures in Oil Refineries
• API RP 941 - Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures
• API RP 970 - Corrosion Control Documents
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Relevant Links

• API Standards Homepage
• Purchase Document

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