Risk-based Inspection Audit Templates
Optimize equipment inspection schedules with the aid of digitized RBI templates
Optimize equipment inspection schedules with the aid of digitized RBI templates
Published 26 Mar 2020
Risk-based inspection (RBI) is a risk assessment and management approach that aims to develop an optimal routine inspection scheme based on risk knowledge associated with equipment and structural items. It serves as an alternative strategy to Class rule-based or time-based inspection regimes.
The risk-based inspection screening assessment form is used to perform qualitative assessments with the aim of identifying, at a higher level, the elements that significantly affect risk levels. This form helps assessors to conduct detailed RBI audits that are focused on these elements. With iAuditor, assessors can:
During the risk-based inspection process, engineers conduct a qualitative, quantitative, or semi-quantitative assessment to determine the probability of failure (PoF) and consequence of failure (CoF), then ultimately discern:
This asset management methodology is predominant in the engineering field, particularly in the Oil and Gas industries. Some of the most common types of assets that undergo risk-based inspection include pressure vessels, atmospheric storage tanks, underground storage tanks, floating offshore installations, pipeline structures, boilers, and power generation components such as stream generators and turbines.
According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), the official trade association for the oil and natural gas industry of the United States, an RBI program has four key goals:
Facility and equipment asset maintenance had historically been performed through a time-based inspection (TBI) regime. While the TBI regime proved to be effective in maintaining assets in operational condition over the past decades, its efficiency was challenged by the growing number of equipment and other assets in facilities. This growth needed to be supported by the required inspections, which ballooned expenses due to the related costs and resources needed to conduct the inspections. With this, there was a necessity to rethink TBI schemes and optimize their inspection schedules hence risk-based inspections were conceived.
The risk-based inspection approach has proven to be a valuable strategy in asset maintenance and regulation compliance, particularly in providing a cost-efficient inspection plan. In a 2018 case study by engineering leads from PinnacleART, four key advantages of RBI over the TBI approach were identified.
With the RBI approach, non-essential checks in the inspection program can be identified and removed from the scope to achieve efficiency. With these exclusions, total inspection times and manpower needs are reduced, thus helping optimize inspection processes.
In addition to overall risk reduction and promoting a safer work environment, RBI plans also help in cost reductions. Risk-based inspections identify equipment that either do not require servicing, or need only minor evaluations,. This way, inspection and maintenance activities become cost-effective and flexible with regards to planning and scheduling. Risk-based inspections result in a significant reduction in the frequency, and duration of each individual inspection. This produces a more concentrated, accurate data set.
The risk-based inspection framework can help increase operational knowledge and make collaboration easier. As a result of the continuous interaction between corrosion and inspection engineers, including regular discussions on the effects of operating conditions on equipment damage and susceptibilities, operations personnel become more knowledgeable about the entire process, resulting in a natural increase in accountability.
An RBI program provides the justification to eliminate ineffective, unnecessary, or excessive inspection techniques. It provides a basis for reduction or elimination of inspection activities in low risk assets that are not deemed dangerous enough to negatively impact operations..
The API published recommended practices for risk-based inspections through API RP 580, Risk-Based Inspection, Third Edition and the API RP 581, Risk-Based Inspection Methodology.
API RP 580, published in 2002, is the cardinal document that provides the fundamentals on how to develop, implement, and maintain a credible RBI program. It serves as the criterion for the level of quality that RBI programs need to comply with. It also answers the questions:
API RP 581, published in 2016, supplements the minimum provisions of API RP 580 and provides quantitative RBI methods that define risk as the combination of POF and COF.
The risk-based inspection strategy provides better visibility into the health of assets by optimizing inspection schedules and utilizing resources with better efficiency. To augment the benefits of this inspection approach, engineers can drill down into their processes and continually identify opportunities for improvement.
By shifting to digital checklists, companies not only eliminate messy paper trails, but they also improve their entire inspection process. Engineers can rely on iAuditor by SafetyCulture to help them with this mission and take advantage of the following benefits:
Operators and owners of UST sites can use this underground storage tank walkthrough inspection checklist to conduct risk-based inspections and capture the following information as required by regulations: exact date and time of inspections, area inspected, inspection results, and description of actions taken.
This boiler inspection checklist is used for inspecting oil or gas-fired boilers before issuance of certification. Converted using iAuditor, select Safe-At Risk-N/A when inspecting the internal, external, and operation of a boiler.
A pipeline inspection checklist is used by pipeline engineers to verify the integrity of a pipeline system and prevent costly shutdowns. Use this checklist to inspect the pipeline’s design, installation, operation, maintenance, and corrosion control procedures, coating and cathodic protection, test stations, remedial measures, and monitoring.
This pressure vessel inspection checklist can be used by engineers and boiler inspectors to help ensure that pressure vessels are safe to hold liquids and gases under pressure. It is used when conducting external and internal inspection of pressure vessels, as well as inspecting safety devices and piping systems. This iAuditor template is created based on a document on the inspection of unfired pressure vessels.
