API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2007: A Joint API/ASME Fitness-for-Service Standard for Pressurized Equipment Available to Purchase

The first edition of API 579 Recommended Practice for Fitness-For-Service was published in 2000. Work on the second edition of API 579 was initiated the same year with many planned technical improvements. In addition to technical improvements, API and ASME agreed to form a joint committee to produce a joint API/ASME FFS Standard that can be used for pressure-containing equipment. This new standard designated as API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2007 Fitness-For-Service is based on the first edition of API 579, incorporates all planned technical enhancements originally slated for the second edition, and also includes modifications to address the special needs of other industries such as the fossil electric power industry, and the pulp and paper industry. Insights into the driving force to create API 579 and an overview of the technical enhancements that will be incorporated into API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 are presented in this paper. The use of the API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 fitness-for-service assessment procedure models to establish a probability of failure for use with the API Risk Based Inspection Planning Technology is also provided.