What’s the difference in Nondestructive Examinations (NDE) and Nondestructive Testing (NDT)?
While the terms “Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)” and “Non-Destructive Examination (NDE)” are often used interchangeably in casual professional conversation, they have distinct technical nuances based on the depth of the process and the intended outcome.
EPA defines Responding and Non-Responding Facilities in its last RMP Fact Sheet
How do companies follow the emergency response element requirements? To comply with the regulations, a facility needs to develop an emergency program or procedures. These are often contained in one of two types of RMP emergency plans: one for responding facilities and one for non-responding facilities.
EPA publishes a Fact Sheet: Risk Management Program Emergency Response Exercises
This fact sheet summarizes the exercise requirements of the Emergency Response portion of a facility’s Program. It provides guidance for how a facility can comply with existing regulations and what emergency responders can expect from a facility.
Cryogenic tank rupture @ food plant in Hokkaido, Japan
On August 28, 1992, a cryogenic tank ruptured in Hokkaido, Japan, and is a textbook case study in the catastrophic consequences of completely isolating a cryogenic vessel. The explosion occurred in the middle of the night at a food processing factory. The blast destroyed the upper half of the facility, damaged 25 surrounding buildings, and
Almost 50% of serious HAZMAT transportation incidents occur during loading and unloading operations
The transfer of hazardous materials from a cargo-tank motor vehicle to fixed-site storage poses a critical vulnerability in chemical handling. While high-speed highway collisions capture more attention, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) estimates that roughly 25% to 50% of serious HAZMAT transportation incidents actually occur during loading and unloading operations. These accidents
What is the Welding Certification actually evaluating when the welding will be done by a pipe welding machine?
When we introduce a pipe welding machine (such as an orbital welder) into the fabrication process, the focus of the certification fundamentally shifts. Under industry codes such as ASME Section IX, the individual operating the equipment is no longer classified as a “Welder”; they are designated as a “Welding Operator.” Because the machine handles the
IFC 5001.3 Performance-based design alternative ERASES the MAQ Limitations
I am working with a client who is making every effort to comply with the Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) limits for a flammable liquid process area. This process is a PSM-covered process, so I offered up how to work beyond the MAQ of 480 gallons for a fire control area. This compliance option 5001.3 was
EPA updates its list of states/counties with RMP Enforcement Delegation
One state and two territories no longer implement the program, and the Regional office has taken over implementation for those three (3) areas. One (1) county in KY and three (3) counties in NC have been delegated enforcement authority. FL, ND, and MO have a partial delegation for either LPG or NH3. The current list
What are the maintenance requirements for Air Receivers and their PSVs?
I grew up in the process industries doing PSM/RMP; however, most of the air receivers at my plants were NOT associated with the PSM/RMP-covered process(es). And yet they were all in our MI program for routine inspections and testing of their PSVs. In fact, every pressure vessel in service on the plant site and its
Why does the IFC 2024 Flammable Liquids Chapter (57) reference ASME B31.9 for leak testing rather than B31.3?
NOTE: If you’re in an INDUSTRIAL facility, especially one with a PSM/RMP-covered process, B31.9 is NOT your piping RAGAGEP! IFC 5703.6.3 dictates that piping for flammable and combustible liquids must be hydrostatically tested to 150% of the maximum anticipated pressure (or pneumatically tested to 110%). However, it offers a carve-out: “Unless tested in accordance with
ASME and PSM/RMP conflict on “records retention” needs
I will be fully upfront for those who wish to challenge me on this topic. YES, ASME B31.3 and 31.5 explicitly state that certain records that are required by the standard do NOT have to be “retained”. However, most people who challenge me on this topic fail to see that ittybitty two-letter word “if” in