Fitness-For-Service

API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, June, 2016

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Foreword

In contrast to the straightforward and conservative calculations that are typically found in design codes, more sophisticated assessment of metallurgical conditions and analyses of local stresses and strains can more precisely indicate whether operating equipment is fit for its intended service or whether particular fabrication defects or in-service deterioration threaten its integrity. Such analyses offer a sound basis for decisions to continue to run as is or to alter, repair, monitor, retire or replace the equipment.

The publication of the American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice 579, Fitness-For-Service, in January 2000 provided the refining and petrochemical industry with a compendium of consensus methods for reliable assessment of the structural integrity of equipment containing identified flaws or damage. API RP 579 was written to be used in conjunction with the refining and petrochemical industry’s existing codes for pressure vessels, piping and aboveground storage tanks (API 510, API 570 and API 653). The standardized Fitness- For-Service assessment procedures presented in API RP 579 provide technically sound consensus approaches that ensure the safety of plant personnel and the public while aging equipment continues to operate, and can be used to optimize maintenance and operation practices, maintain availability and enhance the long-term economic performance of plant equipment.

Recommended Practice 579 was prepared by a committee of the American Petroleum Institute with representatives of the Chemical Manufacturers Association, as well as some individuals associated with related industries. It grew out of a resource document developed by a Joint Industry Program on Fitness-For- Service administered by The Materials Properties Council. Although it incorporated the best practices known to the committee members, it was written as a Recommended Practice rather than as a mandatory standard or code.

While API was developing Fitness-For-Service methodology for the refining and petrochemical industry, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) also began to address post-construction integrity issues. Realizing the possibility of overlap, duplication and conflict in parallel standards, ASME and API formed the Fitness-For-Service Joint Committee in 2001 to develop and maintain a Fitness-For-Service standard for equipment operated in a wide range of process, manufacturing and power generation industries. It was intended that this collaboration would promote the widespread adoption of these practices by regulatory bodies. The Joint Committee included the original members of the API Committee that wrote Recommended Practice 579, complemented by a similar number of ASME members representing similar areas of expertise in other industries such as chemicals, power generation and pulp and paper. In addition to owner representatives, it included substantial international participation and subject matter experts from universities and consulting firms.

In June 2007, the Fitness-For-Service Joint Committee published the first edition of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 Fitness-For-Service.

The 2016 publication of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 includes a number of modifications and technical improvements. Some of the more significant changes are the following:

• Reorganized the standard to facilitate use and updates.

• Expanded equipment design code coverage.

• Added Annex for establishing an allowable Remaining Strength Factor (RSF).

• Simplified Level 1 criterion for the circumferential extent of a Local Thin Area (LTA) through the modification of the Type A Component definition and subdivision of Type B Components into Class 1 or Class 2.

• Updated crack-like flaw interaction rules.

• Re-wrote weld residual stress solution Annex for use in the assessment of crack-like flaws.

• Updated guidance on material toughness predictions for use in the assessment of crack-like flaws.

• Updated evaluation procedures for the assessment of creep damage.

• Added Annex covering metallurgical investigation and evaluation of mechanical properties in a fire damage assessment.

• Developed new Part 14 covering the assessment of fatigue damage.

This publication is written as a standard. Its words shall and must indicate explicit requirements that are essential for an assessment procedure to be correct. The word should indicates recommendations that are good practice but not essential. The word may indicate recommendations that are optional.

Most of the technology that underlies this standard was developed by the Joint Industry Program on Fitness- For-Service, administered by The Materials Properties Council. The sponsorship of the member companies of this research consortium and the voluntary efforts of their company representatives are acknowledged with gratitude.

The committee encourages the broad use of the state-of-the-art methods presented here for evaluating all types of pressure vessels, boiler components, piping and tanks. The committee intends to continuously improve this standard as improved methodology is developed and as user feedback is received. All users are encouraged to inform the committee if they discover areas in which these procedures should be corrected, revised or expanded. Suggestions should be submitted to the Secretary, API/ASME Fitness-For-Service Joint Committee, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Two Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or SecretaryFFS@asme.org.

There is an option available to receive an e-mail notification when errata are posted to a particular code or standard. This option can be found on the Committee Web at https://go.asme.org/ffscommittee after selecting “errata” in the “Publication Information” section.

This standard is under the jurisdiction of the ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codes and Standards and the API CRE Committee and is the direct responsibility of the API/ASME Fitness-For-Service Joint Committee. The American National Standards Institute approved API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2016 in June, 2016.

Although every effort has been made to assure the accuracy and reliability of the information that is presented in this standard, API and ASME make no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and expressly disclaim any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any regulation with which this publication may conflict.

Special Notes

This international code or standard was developed under ASME/API Joint Committee on Fitness-For-Service Policies and Procedures which were approved by ANSI and accredited as meeting the criteria for American National Standards and it is an American National Standard. The Standards Committee that approved the code or standard was balanced to assure that individuals from competent and concerned interests have had an opportunity to participate. The proposed code or standard was made available for public review and comment that provides an opportunity for additional public input from industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and the public-at-large.

This document addresses problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Nothing contained in this document is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in this document be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

Neither API nor ASME nor any employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees of API or ASME make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this document. Neither API nor ASME nor any employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees of API or ASME represent that use of this document would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

This document may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein; however, API and ASME make no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this document and hereby expressly disclaim any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any requirements of authorities having jurisdiction with which this document may conflict.

This document is published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. This document is not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where this document should be utilized. The formulation and publication of this document is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Classified areas may vary depending on the location, conditions, equipment, and substances involved in any given situation. Users of this Standard should consult with the appropriate authorities having jurisdiction.

Work sites and equipment operations may differ. Users are solely responsible for assessing their specific equipment and premises in determining the appropriateness of applying the Instructions. At all times users should employ sound business, scientific, engineering, and judgment safety when using this Standard.

Users of this Standard should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document. Sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.

API and ASME are not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.

Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to particular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer, the manufacturer or supplier of that material, or the material safety data sheet.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

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Copyright © 2016 by the American Petroleum Institute and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Contents

PART 1 – INTRODUCTION 1-1

1. INTRODUCTION 1-1

   1. Construction Codes and Fitness-For-Service 1-1

   2. Fitness-For-Service Definition 1-1

2. SCOPE 1-2

   1. Supplement to In-Service Inspection Codes 1-2

   2. Application Construction Codes 1-2

   3. Other Recognized Codes and Standards 1-2

   4. Remaining Life 1-3

   5. Assessment Methods for Flaw Types and Damage Conditions 1-3

   6. Special Cases 1-4

3. ORGANIZATION AND USE 1-4

4. RESPONSIBILITIES 1-4

   1. Owner-User 1-4

   2. Inspector 1-4

   3. Engineer 1-4

   4. Plant Engineer 1-5

5. QUALIFICATIONS 1-5

   1. Education and Experience 1-5