May 11, 2011

Identify chinks in your asset integrity program!

In 2004, a superheated steam pipeline in a nuclear plant in Japan ruptured, fatally killing 5 people. The rupture was 560 mm in size. The pipe wall at the rupture location had thinned from 10mm to 1.5mm. Apparently, the pipeline was never inspected since commissioning in 1976. Review your asset integrity program to ensure that there are no equipment or locations that have been skipped for inspection.In many companies having separate inspection departments, there will be a wealth of information, but soemone must be tracking the system to its logical conclusion. In today's scenario, with qualified and experienced inspection personnel in high demand, and turnover rates high in industries, it becomes imperative to have continuity in your asset integrity program. The chain is as strong only as the weakest link!
Read the article about the steam pipe rupture in this link.

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