Introduction

Companies have been increasingly focused on improving their Asset Integrity Management (AIM), and Mechanical Integrity (MI) performance to enhance compliance assurance. Societal viewpoints and significant industry incidents have focused companies on running sound plants that won’t negatively impact employees, the public or the environment.

A number of regulatory drivers and guidelines exist, including but not limited to:

• OSHA 1910.119 (j)
• EPA 40 CFR § 68.73
• SEMS 30 CFR Part 250.1916
• ABSA AB-512
• CCPS Guidelines for Mechanical Integrity
• DOT PHMSA Gas Transmission Integrity Management rule per CFR 192

While many companies think of MI as minimizing the potential for a loss of containment involving hazardous chemicals this is only part of the story.  Full-spectrum reliability across an asset lifecycle is really the core of an MI program.

Clearly, an effective MI program relies on solid asset strategy. As companies advance in their maturity, they need to embed asset strategy to prioritize appropriate inspection and maintenance of their assets.

MI is a program that manages critical process equipment to ensure it is designed and installed correctly and that it operates and is maintained properly. An MI program takes into account the maintenance, inspection, and testing of the equipment using RAGAGEP, and the suitability of newly fabricated equipment for usage.

This white paper discusses key aspects of an MI program.