API RP 584 - Integrity Operating Windows

Explore this topic

Integripedia
Articles
Videos
Downloads & Resources

« Back to Topics

Overview of API RP 584 - Integrity Operating Windows

API RP 584, Integrity Operating Windows, is a recommended practice developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that provides the user with information and guidance on developing and implementing Integrity Operating Windows (IOW) to help strengthen their Mechanical Integrity (MI) programs. This RP is meant to explain the importance of, and help facility owners create, put into place, monitor, and maintain an IOW program for each vulnerable unit and piece of equipment in their facility. API RP 584 was originally published in 2014 and the current (2nd edition) was released in December of 2021.

IOWs are incredibly important for a facility because setting limits for equipment operation can prevent excessive equipment degradation and unnecessary failures. API RP 584 doesn’t provide a specific list of IOW plans or the types of equipment that might require IOWs. However, it does provide the user with helpful information for identifying what equipment of their's might require IOWs and how best to create and implement IOWs for that equipment.

Specifically, API RP 584 includes information such as definitions of IOWs, the different types of IOWs, and terminology related to them. It also puts forth guidelines on creating, documenting, and implementing IOWs, and discusses the data and information that's most useful in their creation. In addition, API RP 584 discusses how to monitor and measure variables within existing IOWs and how to communicate when a limit has been breached. Finally, it covers reviewing and updating existing IOW programs, and how to integrate these programs with other safety practices.

API RP 584 outlines the essential elements in defining, monitoring and maintaining IOWs as a vital component of integrity management. Risk Based Inspection (RBI), management of change (MOC), and process safety information (PSI) are also discussed, but only insofar as they relate to IOWs.

Relevant Links

Topic Tools

Share this Topic

Contribute to Definition

We welcome updates to this Integripedia definition from the Inspectioneering community. Click the link below to submit any recommended changes for Inspectioneering's team of editors to review.

Contribute to Definition

Articles about API RP 584 - Integrity Operating Windows

Integration of Integrity Operating Windows into Process Safety Management

November/December 2020 Inspectioneering Journal

IOWs are an important component of a world-class mechanical integrity program. In order to have a robust IOW program, the integration of IOWs into other areas of PSM is critical. This article provides four concrete examples of integration.

Authors: Matthew K. Caserta, PE

Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) at the Fall 2020 Standards Meeting

Blog

A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the API Fall 2020 Refining and Equipment Standards Meeting that was held via virtual conferencing.

Authors: John Reynolds

Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) at the Spring 2020 Standards Meeting

Blog

A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the API Spring Refining and Equipment Standards Meeting that was held via virtual conferencing.

Authors: John Reynolds

Potholes on the Road to IOW Implementation

January/February 2020 Inspectioneering Journal

The purpose of this article is to describe some of the pitfalls that operating sites have encountered while trying to implement a program of IOWs in accordance with the guidance in API RP 584, plus how to overcome those pitfalls.

Authors: John Reynolds

Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meetings at the Fall 2019 API Standards Meeting

Blog

A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the API Fall Refining and Equipment Standards Meeting in Atlanta.

Authors: John Reynolds

Becht Pono Corrosion & Materials Expertise

Partner Content

Becht’s industry-leading Corrosion and Metallurgical experts are here to help with significant owner-operator experience covering the refining, petrochemical and chemical industries. This expertise is leveraged to help our clients become more...

Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meetings at the Spring 2019 API Standards Meeting

Blog

A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the Spring Meeting, including the recently-held API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, subcommittee activities, and progress with the API Individual Certification Program.

Authors: John Reynolds

3 Key Elements for Effectively Managing Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs)

Blog

This blog will walk through practical steps for managing IOWS and will demonstrate what successful IOW management can look like.

Authors:

FEMI Mountains We Have Climbed and Those We Still Need to Climb

January/February 2019 Inspectioneering Journal

This article provides a summary of the 2019 API Inspection & MI Summit keynote address, which offers a past, present, and future outlook on fixed equipment mechanical integrity from an industry professional with 50+ years of experience.

Authors: John Reynolds

Establishing Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) for Refinery Fired Heaters

November/December 2018 Inspectioneering Journal

This article provides an overview of the key components in establishing IOWs, the levels of IOW limits, and the basic principles and application of API Recommended Practice 584 to achieve reliable fired heater performance.

Authors: Tim Hill

Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meetings at the Fall 2018 API Standards Meeting

Blog

A quick summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the Fall Meeting, including the upcoming API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, subcommittee activities, and progress with the API Individual Certification Program.

Authors: John Reynolds

Introducing Tri-Lateral Phased Array

Partner Content

Tri-Lateral Phased Array is a novel robotic phased array ultrasonic testing technique for the on-stream inspection of fixed equipment in wet hydrogen sulfide (H2S) service. TriLat identifies and quantifies wet H2S damage in the base metal of...

Effective Implementation and Management of Integrity Operating Windows

September/October 2018 Inspectioneering Journal

This article presents a management approach for the implementation of Integrity Operating Window (IOWs) under API RP 584 and discusses the IOW planning process and how input from other programs like RBI and Corrosion Management Plans is critical to...

Authors: Yousuf Hasani

Using Rolling Averages for IOW “Informational” Monitoring

March/April 2017 Inspectioneering Journal

Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs) have a subset of operating variables that are important for degradation monitoring, but may not have direct operational controls. Per API RP 584 Integrity Operating Windows, these are known as IOW Informational...

Authors: A.C. Gysbers

The Role of Process Unit Corrosion Reviews on Inspection Planning, RBI and IOWs

November/December 2014 Inspectioneering Journal

Today, more than ever, refinery operators are focused on maintaining safe operations for their employees and extending the life cycle of valuable operating equipment to optimize efficiencies and avoid expensive unforeseen shutdowns. When process...

Authors: Alphonse W. Hegger Jr., P.E.

New and Revised Editions of API Standards Just Published

Blog

Three new API standards have been published, and one has been revised and updated to a new edition. The standards are described in this post.

Authors: John Reynolds

Clay White Takes the Reins as Chair of API

March/April 2014 Inspectioneering Journal

Inspectioneering is pleased to announce that our friend, colleague, author and industry leader, Clay White, has recently taken over as chair of API’s Subcommittee on Inspection (SCI).

Authors: Jeremiah Wooten

New and Revised API Inspection Standards in Progress

September/October 2011 Inspectioneering Journal

Three new recommended practices (RP) are under way within the API Inspection Subcommittee (SCI) which will add to the list of SCI standards available to owner-users to improve their mechanical integrity (MI) and inspection programs.

Authors: John Reynolds