10 Direct Assessment: Process, Technologies and Modeling

Direct assessment methodologies are only applicable for time dependent threats (i.e., internal corrosion, external corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking). Time-independent threats (i.e., operator error, weather related/outside force, and third party/excavation damage) and stable threats (i.e., equipment failure, manufacturing defects, and construction defects) do not have industry recognized direct assessment methodologies. Prudent operators should assess time-independent and stable threats by other means than direct assessment. Operator training audits, monitoring of third party activity, inspection of equipment, pressure testing, and In-Line Inspection (ILI) are options for assessing these threats.