INSPECT API 579-1 FFS Overview

INSPECT’s API 579-1 FFS can assess individual components, complete vessels, or model entire process systems.  Pressure vessels, heat exchangers, piping and tanks are covered within one program.  INSPECT performs rigorous tmin calculations that can extend equipment remaining life and inspection intervals.  INSPECT also organizes and adds context to your inspection data by showing CML’s and flaws on its 3D equipment models.

Below is the complete list of API 579-1 parts available in INSPECT.

API 579-1 Part 3 – Brittle Fracture Assessments

  • Includes both level 1 and level 2 assessments for carbon and low alloy steels

  • Assessments performed at the specified Critical Exposure Temperature (CET) instead of the MDMT as used in UCS-66

  • Run multiple Part 3 assessments for each flaw and produces a Minimum Allowable Temperature (MAT) curve

  • Check for auto-refrigeration with Minimum Safe Operating Temperature (Minimum Pressurization Temperature) curves

Part 3 Brittle Fracture Assessment in INSPECT
An API 579-1 Local Metal Loss Shown on an INSPECT 3D Vessel Model

API 579-1 Part 4 & 5 – General and Local Metal Loss

  • Level 1 and 2 assessments for both Part 4 and Part 5

  • Local metal loss assessments for nozzles

  • PTR (point thickness reading) and CTP (critical thickness profile) assessments

API 579-1 Part 6 – Pitting Assessments

  • Pitting flaws are displayed to scale on the INSPECT 3D model
  • Add images to the Level 1 pitting report to satisfy the Part 6 requirement for a scaled photo or rubbing of the surface of the damage
  • Pitting measurements may be entered manually or copied and pasted from a spreadsheet
A Part 6 Pitting Assessment Shown on an INSPECT 3D Model
Part 7 Hydrogen Blister and HIC Damage Area Shown on an INSPECT 3D Model

API 579-1 Part 7 – HIC and Blister Assessments

  • Level 1 and 2 flaw assessments can be performed
  • Multiple HICs or Blisters can be specified on one component
  • Optional API 941 (Nelson Curve) temperature check

API 579-1 Part 8 – Out-of-Roundness Assessments

  • Simplified Dmin/Dmax
  • Multiple point (average) Dmin/Dmax
  • Detailed Part 8 reports
API 579 Part 8 Out of Roundness Graph
A Part 9 Limiting Flaw Curve generated by INSPECT

API 579-1 Part 9 – Crack Assessments

  • Supports Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 assessments

  • Leak before break analysis included

  • Quickly determines which cracks can be safely left in service
  • Part 3 brittle fracture analysis performed if required

API 579-1 Part 10 – Creep Damage Assessments

  • Provide a consistent means of recording equipment operating histories and calculations
  • A convenient creep summary report lists the components included along with applicable Pass/Fail conclusions

  • For Level 2 the MPC Project Omega, Larson-Miller Minimum, and Larson-Miller Average methods are available and can be run at the same time providing a very comprehensive report

API 579 Part 10 Creep Assessment
API 579 Part 11 Fire Damage

API 579-1 Part 11 – Fire Damage Assessments

  • Organize relevant observations and document conclusions in a consistent series of data entries and reports
  • Provision is made for recording visual evidence, fuel, and ignition source

  • Heat exposure zones (HEZ) may be assigned to entire pressure vessels or individual vessel components

  • Convenient fire damage summary report lists the components included along with applicable Pass/Fail conclusions

API 579-1 Part 12 – Dents, Gouges & Dent-Gouge Combinations

  • Level 1 and 2 dent, gouge and dent-gouge combinations are available
  • Dent and gouge flaws displayed to scale on the INSPECT 3D model
  • An option to consider cyclic service
  • The ability to store flaw images
API 579 Part 12 Dent Gouge Combination on Piping Complies with RAGAGEP
API 579-1 Part 13 Lamination in INSPECT

API 579-1 Part 13 – Lamination Assessments

  • Simply model the locations and descriptions of the laminations to be assessed
  • Multiple laminations can be specified on one component (or vessel)
  • Fully detailed Part 13 Level 1 and 2 reports that show all supporting API 579-1 and ASME calculations

API 579-1 Part 14 – Fatigue Assessments

  • 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.
  • The ability to quickly model complete vessels makes adding a Fatigue Assessment very simple.
  • Images describing all cyclic load inputs are provided. This helps users determine which equipment histogram data to include in the assessment.
API 579 Part 14 Fatigue - Pressure Fluctuation Histogram