Development of RBM Standard for Pressurized Equipments in Japan

Many industries such as the petroleum, chemical, gas, and power industries that use power tools for maintenance are concerned with risk-based maintenance (RBM) in Japan. To promote RBM activities in Japan, a committee for developing RBM standards was established at the High Pressure Institute of Japan (HPI) in 2001. Development of the RBM standards (HPIS) was completed this year. This paper describes the activities of the RBM committee and presents an outline of the published standards. The committee is composed of 35 members representing universities, the National Research Institutes, and the petroleum, chemical, power electric, and heavy industries. Two subcommittees have also been organized, one for the development of RBM standards (WG1) and one for the development of an RBM handbook (WG2). The aim of WG1 is to develop the basic specifications for RBM standards. Thus far, the RBM standard named HPIS Z106 has been published. This standard was constructed with reference to API RP580 [1] and was developed so that it can be adapted to the Japanese specific situation. The aim of WG2 is to develop a handbook for actual application of RBM, and the RBM handbook HPIS Z107 Technical Report (TR) has been published. This handbook is composed of the following four parts: Part 1: General Information, Part 2: Wall Thinning Damage Factors, Part 3: Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) Damage Factors, and Part 4: Other Damage Factors. In this handbook, a concept for likelihood evaluation called the Failure Probability Index (FPI) is introduced. The new concept is described here, as well as a procedure for evaluating the FPI. In recognition of the fact that, in addition to developing standards to promote RBM activities in Japan, human resource development is also important, an RBM personnel certification system has been developed by HPI. An outline of this activity is also given here.