API Releases New Standards To Improve Refinery Safety

The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued three new first edition standards to enhance refinery safety and inspection programs as part of its core commitments to improving workplace safety and protecting the environment.

“These new recommended practices will enhance safety by helping companies prevent refinery accidents before they happen while helping to mitigate and respond to those incidents that may occur,” said API Director of Standards David Miller. “The three new standards help improve safety by offering guidance for reducing corrosion, improving efficiency of process safety inspections, and outlining steps for proper pressure equipment incident investigations.”

RP 583, Corrosion Under Insulation and Fireproofing: This standard will assist with industry inspection, and allow maintenance personnel to fully understand the complexity of corrosion under insulation and fireproofing, as well as the subsequent ways to reduce its occurrence at refineries.

RP 584, Integrity Operating Windows: A key part of process safety is the facility’s inspection program, and this standard was written to assist industry in developing the most efficient and effective inspection program based on each unit’s unique operational history.

RP 585, Pressure Equipment Integrity Incident Investigation: This standard describes how an effective investigation can be structured so organizations can learn from each incident, and use this knowledge to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.