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pastapickles  
#1 Posted : 31 March 2011 08:31:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
pastapickles

We currently have a number of custom build Pressure Test Rigs which were designed and built in house by our Design and Assembly engineers.

Recently we had a minor incident involving one of these rigs, and it would appear that while we do carry out PAT, Accumulator testing and 3 yearly hose changes there is no formal Planned Preventative Maintenance for the rig its self.

But when I looked though my predecessor Risk Assessment for the rig it says that it is done in accordance with the manufactures recommendations/instructions, but we build it, and there are no maintenance records for the rig.

I am trying to find some guidance on how frequently pressure rigs should be inspected/maintained.
imwaldra  
#2 Posted : 31 March 2011 09:45:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
imwaldra

Depending on the pressures and volumes, I would expect the pressure-containing elements to be covered by the pressure systems regs and associated codes, guidance, etc. which will include relevent BS or international standards. Of course, that statement doesn't necessarily get you much further forward as inspections of pressure systems are typically mostly linked to operating conditions and deterioration mechanisms, i.e. they are risk-based.
One thing to definitely beware of is taking pressure systems apart just so as to inspect them - evidence is that this is at least as likely to introduce a fault as to find one. If the systems have pretty high pressures, then good industry practice is to have in place systems for recording when and who by the joints were re-made and (of course) to re-test them. If you can't identify any corrosion mechanism for the pipework, as I would think might be typical for such a rig (operating in a benign environment and with inert fluids?), then maybe no specific NDT-type inspection is warrented? Obviously you should inspect in some way for early signs of the particular failure mode(s) associated with the minor incident - but you don't say what these were.
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