API 579 – Fitness-for-Service (FFS) evaluations are quantitative engineering assessments performed to demonstrate the structural integrity of pressurized equipment in service that may have a defect or damage. The guidelines of this standard can be used to make “Run-Repair-Replace” decisions, and if the equipment is deemed serviceable, its predicted remaining secure life can be calculated.

This course explains and applies the API fitness-for-service standard so that students can implement it in their daily work. The course materials illustrate how stress analysis, materials engineering, and nondestructive testing collaborate to evaluate fitness-for-service. The processes pertain to in-service pressure vessels, pipelines, and tanks.

This training session is intended to provide logical, step-by-step procedures for assessing the present structural integrity of equipment, determining its fitness for continued service, and selecting and implementing the appropriate corrective action.

Certification Program Objectives: 

• To comprehend the appropriate inspection procedures and how to evaluate inspection results.
• To comprehend how pressure vessels and piping degrade and deteriorate in service.
• Learn a step-by-step method for evaluating service-related errors and defects.
• When component repair is deemed necessary based on proper inspection and defect evaluation, action must be taken.
• To determine the remaining life of the asset.
• Repairing equipment without causing damage.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CFSP, student should take up a 1.5 hours exam at the designated examination centers.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Materials Provided:

• Presentation slides
• Study references

Certification:

Upon successful completion of the CFSP training, participants will receive a “Certified Fitness for Service Professional” certificate.

Who Should Attend:

• Process engineers, industrial operational engineers and managers, and chemical/mechanical engineers.
• Also recommended for design engineers, inspection personnel, and maintenance engineers in the refining, petrochemical, and chemical industries who repair, maintain, and troubleshoot facility equipment.

Course Outline:

• API 579 Standard (Fitness for Service)
• Scope and limitations of API 579
• Fitness-for-service engineering assessment procedure
• Remaining Life Assessment
• Concept of remaining strength factor
• Remediation methods, In-Service Monitoring
• Assessment Techniques and Acceptance Criteria
• Fire damage assessment, Dents, gouges, and dent-gouge combinations are evaluated.
• Level 1 evaluation, Level 2 evaluation, and Level 3 evaluation
• Damage mechanisms must be identified and characterized
• FFS (Level 1) assessment procedures and how to apply them to plant equipment and pipes
• A brittle fracture assessment of existing equipment
• Assessment of overall metal loss, localized metal loss, pitting corrosion, and hydrogen blisters and damage – The HIC and SOHIC acronyms