Risk Based Inspections (RBI) elevate inspection plans beyond the default settings, utilising available resources and aligning an inspection with the client’s nominated risk level.
Risk Based Inspection (RBI) is an individualised, methodical approach to developing an inspection plan. Essentially, an RBI study involves assessing the likelihood and consequence of the failure of the plant, and then developing an optimised inspection plan based on these findings.
The traditional alternative to RBI is inspection according to the default settings in standards and codes. Of necessity, these default settings must provide asset integrity for the most adverse combinations of plant condition and operating environment. Therefore, in most cases, the inspection plan is poorly focused and unnecessarily frequent. RBI develops a bespoke, appropriate and justifiable inspection plan. Note that all major tank and pressure vessel standards and codes permit the alteration of default settings, based upon RBI.
Advantages of Risk Based Inspection
In considering the actual condition of an asset and its associated risks of failure, ALS staff work with our clients to deliver significant improvements to their current inspection program.
These benefits include:
- Extension to the intervals of inspection, in some circumstances extending inspection intervals many years beyond those default intervals in standards and codes.
- Inspection plans focused on the relevant damage mechanisms.
- A formalised process for the involvement of all of the relevant stakeholders in the development of an inspection plan.
- A structure for communication between stakeholders.
- A deeper understanding of process of deterioration of plant and equipment, enabling forward planning for maintenance and replacement.
- Promotion of a risk management culture, which is the foundation of OH&S and environmental law.
- Auditable evidence of sound, economic management of inspection.
The ALS Approach
ALS promotes a disciplined approach to RBI, following sound guidelines, such as API 580 and API 581. Our inspections are overseen by professional engineers, who have significant experience in successfully executing RBI programs. Our experienced inspectors and engineers gather extensive information according to the known condition of the asset, and the operating environment, prior to conducting an RBI study.
ALS expert services that support achieving successful outcomes from RBI programs include:
- Inspectors and technicians are trained to recognise opportunities for RBI.
- Inspectors and technicians are familiar with the RBI process and actively conduct RBI studies.
- Deep experience in inspection techniques, such as non-destructive testing, so that the designed inspection plans can be executed in a cost-effective manner.
- Development of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scopes to reduce costs of inspection and production down time without the trade-off of increased plant risk.