API RP 572-2023 PDF

Full title and description

API RP 572 — Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels, 5th Edition (2023). This Recommended Practice provides detailed guidance for planning, performing, assessing and recording inspections of pressure vessels commonly used in the hydrocarbon and chemical process industries, including towers, exchangers, reactors, spheres and other vessel types.

Abstract

API RP 572 (5th Edition, 2023) supplements API 510 by expanding on practical inspection practices for pressure vessels: vessel components, inspection planning and intervals, nondestructive examination (NDE) techniques, evaluation and fitness‑for‑service (FFS) considerations, repair methods, pressure testing and recordkeeping. The edition reorganizes and updates content to align with related API inspection RPs and to reflect modern inspection technologies and safety considerations for field inspectors.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: November 1, 2023 (5th edition release announced November 2023).
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API).
• ICS / categories: 23.020.30 — Pressure vessels; (fluid systems and components for general use).
• Edition / version: 5th Edition (2023).
• Number of pages: 163 pages.

Scope

Provides practical inspection guidance that supplements API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspection Code). RP 572 covers inspection planning and strategy, recommended inspection intervals and frequencies, inspection methods (visual, thickness measurements, ultrasonic, radiography, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, internal examinations), evaluation and assessment approaches (including FFS concepts), repair inspection and testing procedures, and documentation/recordkeeping practices. Content addresses a broad range of vessel types and component features found in refining, petrochemical and chemical facilities.

Key topics and requirements

• Inspection planning and risk‑informed inspection frequency determination.
• Recommended inspection methods and their limitations for different vessel types and damage mechanisms.
• Techniques for internal and external examinations, including access, safety and confined‑space considerations.
• Evaluation of inspection results and guidance on fitness‑for‑service (FFS) and follow‑up actions.
• Repair methods, inspection of repairs and post‑repair pressure testing.
• Recordkeeping, reporting formats and inspection traceability important for mechanical integrity programs.
• Alignment with related API inspection RPs and certification programs (e.g., API 510 and PSSAP mechanical integrity protocols).

Typical use and users

Used by pressure vessel inspectors, inspection planners, integrity engineers, maintenance supervisors, mechanical integrity and safety teams, corrosion and NDE specialists, and organizations preparing personnel for API 510 certification. Applicable in refineries, petrochemical plants, gas processing facilities and other industrial sites that operate pressure vessels.

Related standards

Commonly used together with: API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspection Code), API RP 574 (Inspection Practices for Piping System Components), API RP 577 (Welding Processes, Inspection and Metallurgy), API RP 580 (Risk‑Based Inspection guidance) and relevant ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code sections and national regulations. RP 572 is intended to align with and supplement these documents for comprehensive mechanical integrity programs.

Keywords

pressure vessel inspection, API RP 572, inspection practices, nondestructive examination (NDE), fitness‑for‑service (FFS), inspection planning, pressure testing, repair inspection, mechanical integrity, towers, exchangers, reactors, spheres.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API RP 572 is an API Recommended Practice titled "Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels" (5th Edition, 2023) that provides practical guidance for inspection of pressure vessels used in hydrocarbon and chemical process industries.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers inspection planning, inspection intervals, methods and limitations of inspection (visual, ultrasonic, radiography, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, etc.), evaluation and FFS guidance, repair inspection and pressure testing, plus recordkeeping and reporting to support mechanical integrity.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Pressure vessel inspectors, integrity and reliability engineers, maintenance and inspection planners, NDE technicians, and organizations preparing staff for API 510 certification or implementing mechanical integrity programs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the 5th Edition was released in November 2023 and is the latest published edition at the time of its release. It supersedes prior editions and redline updates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — RP 572 is part of API’s family of inspection and integrity guidance documents that complement API 510 (pressure vessels), API 570 (piping), RP 574 (piping inspection practices) and other API RPs used together for comprehensive plant mechanical integrity and inspection programs.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Pressure vessel inspection, inspection planning, NDE, fitness‑for‑service (FFS), repair inspection, pressure testing, mechanical integrity, API 510, inspection intervals.