SCOPE

API 570 covers inspection, rating, repair, and alteration procedures for metallic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping systems and
their associated pressure relieving devices that have been placed in service.
Process piping systems that have been retired from service and abandoned in place are no longer covered by this “in service inspection” Code.
Process piping systems that are temporarily out of service but have been mothballed (preserved for potential future use) are still covered by this
Code.

INTENT
It is also the intent of this Code that owner/users shall respond to any inspection results that require corrective actions to assure the continued integrity
of piping consistent with appropriate risk analysis.

LIMITATIONS
API 570 shall not be used as a substitute for the original construction requirements governing a piping system before it is placed in-service; nor
shall it be used in conflict with any prevailing regulatory requirements. If the requirements of this Code are more stringent than the regulatory
requirements, then the requirements of this Code shall govern.

SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
The term non-metallics has a broad definition but in this Code refers to the fiber reinforced plastic groups encompassed by the generic acronyms FRP
(fiberglass-reinforced plastic) and GRP (glass-reinforced plastic). The extruded, generally homogenous non-metallics, such as high and low-
density polyethylene are not specifically covered by this Code.

INCLUDED FLUID SERVICES

a) raw, intermediate, and finished petroleum and chemical products;

b) catalyst lines;
c) hydrogen, natural gas, fuel gas, and flare systems;
d) sour water and hazardous waste streams;
e) hazardous fluid services;
f) cryogenic fluids such as: liquid N2, H2, O2, and air;
g) high-pressure gases greater than 150 psig such as: gaseous He, H2, O2, and N2.

OPTIONAL PIPING SYSTEMS AND FLUID SERVICES

a) hazardous fluid services below designated threshold limits, as defined by jurisdictional regulations;
b) water (including fire protection systems), steam, steam-condensate, boiler feed water, and Category D fluid services as defined in ASME B31.3;
c) other classes of piping that are exempted from the applicable process piping code.

Fitness-For-Service (FFS) and Risk-Based Inspection (RBI)

API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, Fitness-For-Service

API Recommended Practice 580, Risk-based Inspection
API 581 , methodologies for assessing risk and for developing inspection plans.

TERMS

alteration
A physical change in any component that has design implications affecting the pressure containing capability or
flexibility of a piping system beyond the scope of its original design. The following are not considered alterations:
comparable or duplicate replacements and replacements in kind.

authorized inspection agency

Defined as any of the following:
a) the inspection organization of the jurisdiction in which the piping system is used,
b) the inspection organization of an insurance company that is licensed or registered to write insurance for piping systems;
c) an owner or user of piping systems who maintains an inspection organization for activities relating only to his equipment and not for piping systems
intended for sale or resale;
d) an independent inspection organization employed by or under contract to the owner/user of piping systems that are used only by the owner/user and
not for sale or resale;
e) an independent inspection organization licensed or recognized by the jurisdiction in which the piping system is used and employed by or under
contract to the owner/user.

authorized piping inspector

An employee of an owner/user organization or authorized inspection agency (3.1.6) who is qualified and certified by examination under the provisions
of Section 4 and Annex A and is able to perform the functions specified in API 570 where contracted or directed to do so. An NDE examiner is not
required to be an authorized piping inspector.

deadlegs
Components of a piping system that normally have little or no significant flow. Some examples include blanked (blinded) branches, lines with
normally closed block valves, lines with one end blanked, pressurized dummy support legs, stagnant control valve bypass piping, spare pump piping,
level bridles, pressure relieving device inlet and outlet header piping, pump trim bypass lines, high-point vents, sample points, drains, bleeders, and
instrument connections.
examinations
The act of performing any type of NDE for the purpose of data collection and/or quality control functions performed by
examiners.

Holdpoint
A point in the repair or alteration process beyond which work may not proceed until the required inspection/
examination has been performed and verified.

injection point
Injection points are locations where water, steam, chemicals or process additives are introduced into a process stream at relatively low flow/volume
rates as compared to the flow/volume rate of the parent stream.

management of change
MOC
A documented management system for review and approval of changes (both physical and process) to piping systems prior to implementation of the
change. The MOC process includes involvement of inspection personnel that may need to alter inspection plans as a result of the change.

maximum allowable working pressure

MAWP
The maximum internal pressure permitted in the piping system for continued operation at the most severe condition of coincident internal or external
pressure and temperature (minimum or maximum) expected during service. It is the same as the design pressure, as defined in ASME B31.3 and
other code sections, and is subject to the same rules relating to allowances for variations of pressure or temperature or both. If the piping system is
being rerated, the new MAWP shall be the rerated MAWP.

mixing point
Mixing points are locations in a process piping system where two or more streams meet. The difference in streams may be composition, temperature
or any other parameter that may cause deterioration and may require additional design considerations, operating limits, inspection and/or process
monitoring.

piping engineer
One or more persons or organizations acceptable to the owner/user who are knowledgeable and experienced in the engineering disciplines associated
with evaluating mechanical and material characteristics affecting the integrity and reliability of piping components and systems. The piping engineer,
by consulting with appropriate specialists, should be regarded as a composite of all entities necessary to properly address piping design requirements.

primary process piping

Process piping in normal, active service that cannot be valved-off or, if it were valved off, would significantly affect unit operability. Primary
process piping typically does not include small bore or auxiliary process piping.

process piping
Hydrocarbon or chemical piping located at, or associated with a refinery or manufacturing facility. Process piping includes piperack, tank farm, and
process unit piping, but excludes utility piping (e.g. steam, water, air, nitrogen, etc).

repair organization
Any of the following:
a) an owner/user of piping systems who repairs or alters his or her own equipment in accordance with API 570,
b) a contractor whose qualifications are acceptable to the owner/user of piping systems and who makes repairs or alterations in accordance with API
570,
c) an organization that is authorized by, acceptable to, or otherwise not prohibited by the jurisdiction and who makes repairs in accordance with API
570.

rating
The work process of making calculations to establish pressures and temperatures appropriate for a piping system, including design
pressure/temperature, MAWP, structural minimums, required thicknesses, etc.

rerating
A change in the design temperature, design pressure or the maximum allowable working pressure of a piping system (sometimes called rating).

secondary process piping

Process piping located downstream of a block valve that can be valved-off without significantly affecting the process unit operability is
commonly referred to as secondary process piping. Often, secondary process piping is small-bore piping (SBP).

small-bore piping
SBP
Pipe or pipe components that are less than or equal to NPS 2.

soil-to-air interface
SAI
An area in which external corrosion may occur or be accelerated on partially buried pipe or buried pipe near where it egresses from the soil.
NOTE The zone of the corrosion will vary depending on factors such as moisture, oxygen content of the soil, and operating temperature. The zone
generally is considered to be at least 12 in. (305 mm) below to 6 in. (150 mm) above the soil surface. Pipe running parallel with the soil surface
that contacts the soil is included.
tank farm piping
Process piping inside tank farm dikes or directly associated with a tank farm.

utility piping
Non-process piping associated with a process unit (e.g. steam, air, water, nitrogen, etc.)

Owner/User Inspection Organization

An owner/user of piping systems shall exercise control of the piping system inspection program, inspection frequencies, and maintenance and is
responsible for the function of an authorized inspection agency in accordance with the provisions of API 570.

MOC
An effective MOC process is vital to the success of any piping integrity management program in order that the inspection group is able to: 1) address
issues concerning the adequacy of the pressure piping design and current condition for the proposed changes, 2) anticipate changes in corrosion or
other types of damage and their effects on the adequacy on the pressure piping, and 3) update the inspection plan and records to account for those
changes.

Piping Engineer
The piping engineer is responsible to the owner/user for activities involving design, engineering review, rating, analysis, or evaluation of piping
systems and PRDs covered by API 570 as specified in this Code.

Repair Organization
All repairs and alterations shall be performed by a repair organization as defined in Section 3. The repair organization shall be responsible to the
owner/user and shall provide the materials, equipment, quality control, and workmanship necessary to maintain and repair the piping systems in
accordance with the requirements of API 570.

Authorized Piping Inspector

When inspections, repairs, or alterations are being conducted on piping systems, the designated authorized piping inspector shall be responsible to the
owner/user for determining that the requirements of API 570 on inspection, examination, quality assurance and testing are met. The inspector shall be
directly involved in the inspection activities which in most cases will require field activities to ensure that procedures are followed. The inspector is
also responsible for extending the scope of the inspection (with appropriate consultation with engineers/specialists), where justified depending upon
the findings of the inspection. Where non-conformances are discovered, the designated inspector is responsible for notifying the owner/user in a timely
manner and making appropriate repair or other mitigative recommendations.