API 570-2016 (2018) PDF

Full title and description

API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service inspection, rating, repair, and alteration of piping systems — edition published 2016 with 2018 reissue/errata. This standard establishes requirements and procedures for inspection, evaluation, repair, and alteration of metallic piping systems that are in service in petroleum refineries, chemical plants, and related processing facilities.

Abstract

API 570 provides the minimum requirements for in-service inspection and assessment of metallic piping systems. It covers inspection planning, inspection intervals, inspection methods, acceptance criteria, remaining life assessment, repairs, rerating, and documentation. The standard helps ensure continued integrity and safe operation of pressure-containing piping by defining responsibilities for inspection personnel and owners/operators and by specifying examination techniques and evaluation procedures for corrosion, mechanical damage, and other degradation mechanisms.

General information

• Status: Published standard (2016 edition; reissued/maintained in 2018)
• Publication date: 2016 (with 2018 reissue/errata)
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API)
• ICS / categories: 23.020.30 (Pipelines and piping systems); Industrial safety and inspection standards
• Edition / version: 2016 edition (often cited with 2018 reissue/errata)
• Number of pages: Typically ~160–200 pages depending on format (actual page count varies by publication)

Scope

API 570 applies to metallic piping systems that are pressurized and in service at refineries, petrochemical, and chemical plants. The scope includes requirements for inspection, assessment, repair, alteration, and rerating of these piping systems. It covers examination methods and intervals, corrosion allowance, remaining life calculations, fitness-for-service considerations, repair techniques, and documentation, but it does not replace applicable regulatory requirements or address new design of piping (which is covered by other codes).

Key topics and requirements

• Inspection program establishment, responsibilities, and qualifications for inspection personnel
• Risk-based and corrosion-based inspection interval determination
• Non-destructive examination (NDE) methods and acceptance standards for defects
• Thickness monitoring, corrosion-rate determination, and remaining life assessment
• Evaluation and fitness-for-service criteria for local metal loss, pitting, cracking, and mechanical damage
• Procedures for repairs, alterations, sleeves, weld repairs, and rerating of piping
• Documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for inspection results and repairs
• Special considerations for branch connections, flanges, bellows, and other fittings

Typical use and users

API 570 is used by owner/operators, plant inspection and maintenance engineers, piping inspectors, fitness-for-service specialists, quality assurance personnel, and contractors involved in in-service piping inspection, assessment, and repair. It supports development of plant inspection programs, fitness-for-service assessments, repair procedures, and compliance audits for midstream and downstream industrial facilities.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include API 574 (inspection practices for piping components), API 571 (damage mechanisms affecting fixed equipment), API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 (fitness-for-service), ASME B31.3 (process piping design), and applicable regulatory codes and owner/company specifications.

Keywords

API 570, piping inspection, in-service inspection, piping repair, piping alteration, corrosion monitoring, remaining life assessment, non-destructive examination, fitness-for-service, piping code

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API 570 is the American Petroleum Institute standard for in-service inspection, rating, repair, and alteration of metallic piping systems in petroleum refineries, chemical plants, and similar facilities.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers requirements for inspection programs, inspection intervals, NDE methods, thickness monitoring, corrosion-rate and remaining-life assessments, acceptance criteria for defects, and procedures for repairs, alterations, and rerating of piping.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Plant owner/operators, inspection and maintenance engineers, piping inspectors, fitness-for-service analysts, QA/QC staff, and contractors working on in-service piping systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The referenced edition is the 2016 edition (commonly cited with a 2018 reissue or errata). Users should check with the publisher or their company's standardization process to confirm whether a newer edition or amendments exist before use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. API 570 is part of a suite of API inspection and damage-mechanism standards, and it is commonly used alongside API 574, API 571, API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, and relevant ASME and company standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Piping inspection, in-service inspection, repair and alteration, corrosion monitoring, thickness inspection, remaining life assessment, non-destructive examination, fitness-for-service.