Inspection and Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real API practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Inspection and Maintenance flashcards as text
In API risk-based inspection (RBI) methodology, what two primary factors determine the risk ranking of equipment?
Answer: Probability of failure and consequence of failure
RBI risk ranking is determined by the combination of probability of failure (PoF) and consequence of failure (CoF), allowing prioritization of inspection resources.
What type of corrosion is characterized by localized attack that penetrates deeply while the surrounding metal remains relatively unaffected?
Answer: Pitting corrosion
Pitting corrosion creates deep, localized cavities in the metal surface and is particularly dangerous because it can cause through-wall penetration with minimal overall metal loss.
Under API 653, what is the recommended approach when a tank floor scan reveals extensive corrosion exceeding acceptable limits?
Answer: Replace or repair the corroded floor plates before returning to service
When floor corrosion exceeds minimum thickness limits, API 653 requires repair or replacement of the affected floor plates before the tank can safely return to service.
Which NDE method is most effective for detecting surface-breaking cracks in ferromagnetic materials?
Answer: Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) is highly effective for detecting surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials by revealing disruptions in magnetic field lines.
What does IDMT stand for in the context of API inspection records?
Answer: Inspection Data Management Technology
IDMT refers to Inspection Data Management Technology, systems used to store, retrieve, and analyze inspection findings and equipment history.
According to API 571, which damage mechanism is most commonly associated with wet hydrogen sulfide environments in refinery equipment?
Answer: Hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) and sulfide stress cracking (SSC)
Wet H₂S environments cause hydrogen-induced cracking and sulfide stress cracking, which are among the most critical damage mechanisms in refinery processing equipment.
What minimum documentation must be maintained for an API 510 pressure vessel inspection to be considered complete?
Answer: Thickness measurements, inspection date, inspector certification number, and findings
API 510 requires inspection records to include thickness measurements, inspection date, inspector's certification, and all findings to maintain a complete equipment history.