RAGAGEP and ASME Pressure Equipment

On May 11, 2016 OSHA issued a standard interpretation on the topic of RAGAGEP and its proper application per OSHA 1910.119.  For the case of ASME vessels and exchangers, it instructs the employer to identify and use the applicable consensus standards when preparing documentation to show compliance with the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard.  Because the ASME Code is a new construction document and PSM addresses post construction use, additional specific standards apply including API 510 (vessels),  API 570 (piping), API STD 653 (tanks) and API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.

Note that the API documents listed above refer back to the original Code of construction (ASME VIII-1, VIII-2, B31.3, B31.4, TEMA).  RAGAGEP specifies the use of the most recent API documents as they are regularly updated to reflect newly acquired information regarding damage mechanisms, operating experience and inspection technologies.

API 579 Part 12 Dent Gouge Combination on Piping Complies with RAGAGEP
INSPECT Extends Vessel Life by Re-rating Old Pressure Vessels per NBIC 3.4 (RAGAGEP)

Save Money, Reduce Risk with RAGAGEP

In addition to regulatory compliance considerations, implementing RAGAGEP in your PSM program also makes good business sense. Rigorously following the RAGAGEP listed in NBIC Interpretation 98-14 and API 510 often permits the use of higher allowable stresses and/or joint efficiencies. This then results in lower tmin’s , extended inspection intervals and longer equipment remaining lifetimes.

Most companies commit substantial resources to gathering and storing inspection data. If your measurements and observations are not compared against RAGAGEP, your inspection efforts are not providing realistic results and your PSM program is not as cost effective as it could be.

INSPECT Software Helps Prove RAGAGEP Compliance

Codeware’s INSPECT software helps plants:

  • Meet the Mechanical Integrity requirements of OSHA1910.119 (j) and EPA Title 40 part 68.73

  • Comply with OSHA’s interpretation of RAGAGEP as it relates to process equipment.

  • Address the Fitness-for-Service (FFS) requirements of API 579-1.

All API 579-1 flaw types are shown on the 3D model in INSPECT (RAGAGEP)

Example RAGAGEP ARE:

  • Using the correct Code allowable stresses, joint efficiencies and equations when determining tmin’s.

  • Considering all the loads acting on the equipment. In addition to pressure these include liquid static head, weight, wind and seismic loads on the pressure vessel and its supports as well as (piping) loads on nozzle attachments.

  • Considering brittle fracture as a failure mode for carbon steel equipment using ASME VIII-1 paragraph UCS-66 or API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 Part 3.  This may, for example, affect equipment start-up and field hydrotest conditions.

  • Using all applicable Engineering Methods, Codes and Standards.

  • Implemented in INSPECT software.

These ARE NOT RAGAGEP:

  • Simplistic internal pressure formulae for calculating tmin or ignoring the external pressure tmin (a very involved calculation).

  • Nozzle tmin’s arrived at by only considering ASME VIII-1 paragraph UG-45. Area replacement (UG-37), proximity to other openings and more must be taken into account.

  • Black box computer reports with no way of verifying (auditing) the correctness and completeness of the ASME and API calculations performed.

  • Having no ability to perform fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments.  Most competing Inspection Data Management Systems (IDMS) only consider general metal loss. General metal loss is, however, not the only in-service damage experienced by process equipment.  Without FFS, how does your company ensure that it is safe to continue operating equipment with pitting, local thin areas, cracks, dents and gouges etc.?

Increase Your Capabilities With INSPECT

API 579 Part 3 Ensure your operating procedures limit the risk of brittle fracture by automatically running Part 3 assessments. API 579 Part 4 & 5 Perform general and local metal loss assessments and quickly generate detailed reports. API 579 Part 6 INSPECT performs level 1, 2 and 3 pitting assessments and generates detailed API 579 reports with a click of a button. API 579 Part 7 Perform Level 1 and 2 assessments from Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) and Hydrogen Blister damage. API 579 Part 8 Ensure that vessels subject to external pressure are within the allowed roundness tolerance with out-of-roundness assessments. API 579 Part 9 Level 1 and 2 assessments quickly determine which crack-like flaws can be safely left in service and which require more investigation. API 579 Part 10 Perform creep damage assessments by recording equipment operating histories and calculations. API 579 Part 11 Perform fire damage assessments and document conclusions in a consistent series of data entries and reports. API 579 Part 12 Perform Part 12 assessments and generate detailed API 579 reports. Level 1 and 2 dent, gouge and dent-gouge combinations are available. API 579 Part 13 Model laminations and provide rapid results so you can make the necessary mediation decisions with confidence API 579 Part 14 INSPECT’s fatigue assessment scans the vessel for other flaw types and allows the user to adjust the “remaining strength factor” (RSF) as required by API 579. API 510 Address in-service activities such as inspection, remaining life determination and repair. API 570 3D inspection data management and calculations simplify compliance with the requirements of the API-570 Code. API 653 Track tank thickness inspection measurements and provide calculation reports. Gage Integration Set up and retrieve inspection grids from thickness gages fast and easy. OSHA 1910 Meet the Mechanical Integrity requirements of OSHA1910.119 (j) and EPA Title 40 part 68.73. Undocumented Vessels Pressure Vessel Inspection Code requires owners to maintain permanent, progressive records as listed in API 510 Section 7.8 The INSPECT IDMS Show condition monitoring locations (CML’s) and API 579-1 flaws directly on pressure equipment models. Auto-Refrigeration MAT curves are employed to determine which process conditions put equipment at risk of failure by brittle fracture. Old ASME® Codes Supported Increase vessel life automatically by using the higher allowable stresses per NBIC Section 3.4. Pressure Relieving Devices Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) on your fixed equipment. Excel Integration Export and import thickness inspection grids to and from Microsoft Excel. API 579-1 Part 3 MAT Curves API 510 API 570 API 653 Storage Tank Evaulations Thickness Gage Integration in INSPECT OSHA standards in COMPRESS Undocumented Vessels in INSPECT Inspection Data Monitoring System IDMS API 579 Part 9 Codes menu Combined Pitting and Local Metal Loss Flaws are Considered API 579-1 Part 12 dialog INSPECT performs API 579 FFS assessments and shows flaws on the 3D model Minimum Safe Operating Temperature (MSOT) curve in INSPECT API 579-1 Part 10 Creep Damage API 579-1 Part 11 Fire Damage Assessments API 579-1 Part 8 Out of Roundness Easily model pressure relieving devices (PRDs) with INSPECT Excel Integration with INSPECT API 579-1 Part 7 Hydrogen Cracking and Blister Damage API 579-1 Part 13 Lamination Diagram API 579 Part 14 Fatigue - Pressure Fluctuation Cycle