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. The current and 1st Edition of API RP 584 was published in May of 2014.
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.
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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.
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