Pipe Spool

Pipe Spool

Definition(s)

Pipe Spool

A section of piping with a flange or other connecting fitting, such as a union, on both ends which allows the removal of the section from the system.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Piping Engineer

Piping Engineer

Definition(s)

Piping Engineere

One or more persons or organizations acceptable to the owner/user who are knowledgeable and experienced in the engineering disciplines associated with evaluating mechanical and material characteristics affecting the integrity and reliability of piping components and systems. The piping engineer, by consulting with appropriate specialists, should be regarded as a composite of all entities necessary to properly address piping design requirements.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Piping Circuit

Piping Circuit

Definition(s)

Piping Circuit

A subsection of piping systems that includes piping and components that are exposed to a process environment of similar corrosivity and expected damage mechanisms and is of similar design conditions and construction material where by the expected type and rate of damage can reasonably be expected to be the same.
  • NOTE: 1 Complex process units or piping systems are divided into piping circuits to manage the necessary inspections, data analysis, and record keeping.
  • NOTE: 2 When establishing the boundary of a particular piping circuit, it may be sized to provide a practical package for record keeping and performing field inspection.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Piperack Piping

Piperack Piping

Definition(s)

Piperack Piping

Process piping that is supported by consecutive stanchions or sleepers (including straddle racks and extensions). Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
PEC

PEC

Definition(s)

PEC

Pulsed eddy current. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
PCC

PCC

Definition(s)

PCC

Post Construction Committee (of ASME). Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
PAUT

PAUT

Definition(s)

PAUT

Phased array ultrasonic technique. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Qwner/user Inspector

Qwner/user Inspector

Definition(s)

Qwner/user Inspector

An authorized inspector employed by an owner/user who has qualified by examination under the provisions of Section 4 and Annex A.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Overwater Piping

Overwater Piping

Definition(s)

Overwater Piping

Piping located where leakage would result in discharge into streams, rivers, bays, etc., resulting in a potential environmental incident. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
On-stream Piping

On-stream Piping

Definition(s)

On-stream Piping

Piping systems that have not been isolated and decontaminated, i.e. still connected to in-service process equipment
  • NOTE: Piping systems that are on-stream can be full of product during normal processing or empty or may still have residual process fluids in them and not be currently part of the process system (e.g. temporarily valved-out of service).
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
On-site Piping

On-site Piping

Definition(s)

On-site Piping

Piping systems included within the plot limits of process units, such as, a hydrocracker, an ethylene cracker, or a crude unit.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Off-site Piping

Off-site Piping

Definition(s)

Off-site Piping

Piping systems not included within the plot boundary limits of a process unit, such as, a hydrocracker, an ethylene cracker or a crude unit.
  • EXAMPLE: Tank farm piping and inter-connecting pipe rack piping outside the limits of the process unit.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Mixing Point

Mixing Point

Definition(s)

Mixing Point

Mixing points are locations in a process piping system where two or more streams meet. The difference in streams may be composition, temperature or any other parameter that may cause deterioration and may require additional design considerations, operating limits, inspection and/or process monitoring.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Minimum Required Thickness

Minimum Required Thickness

Definition(s)

Minimum Required Thickness

The thickness without corrosion allowance for each component of a piping system based on the appropriate design code calculations and code allowable stress that consider pressure, mechanical and structural loadings.
  • NOTE: Alternately, minimum required thicknesses can be reassessed using Fitness-For-Service analysis in accordance with API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Tmin

Tmin

Definition(s)

Tmin

Minimum required thickness. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards  

Tmin

The thickness without corrosion allowance for each component of a piping system based on the appropriate design code calculations and code allowable stress that consider pressure, mechanical and structural loadings.
  • NOTE: Alternately, minimum required thicknesses can be reassessed using Fitness-For-Service analysis in accordance with API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Minimum Alert Thickness

Minimum Alert Thickness

Definition(s)

Minimum Alert Thickness (flag thickness)

A thickness greater than the minimum required thickness that provides for early warning from which the future service life of the piping is managed through further inspection and remaining life assessment.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Material Verification Program

Material Verification Program

Definition(s)

Material Verification Program

A documented quality assurance procedure used to assess metallic alloy materials (including weldments and attachments where specified) to verify conformance with the selected or specified alloy material designated by the owner/user.
  • NOTE: This program may include a description of methods for alloy material testing, physical component marking, and program recordkeeping (see API 578).
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Lining

Lining

Definition(s)

Lining

A nonmetallic or metallic material, installed on the interior of pipe, whose properties are better suited to resist damage from the process than the substrate material.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Level Bridle

Level Bridle

Definition(s)

Level Bridle

The piping assembly associated with a level gauge attached to a vessel.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
LDAR

LDAR

Definition(s)

LDAR

leak detection and repair (of fugitive emissions). Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Intermittent Service

Intermittent Service

Definition(s)

Intermittent Service

The condition of a piping system whereby it is not in continuous operating service, i.e. it operates at regular or irregular intervals rather than continuously.
  • NOTE: Occasional turnarounds or other infrequent maintenance outages in an otherwise continuous process service does not constitute intermittent service.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Injection Point

Injection Point

Definition(s)

Injection Point

Injection points are locations where water, steam, chemicals or process additives are introduced into a process stream at relatively low flow/volume rates as compared to the flow/volume rate of the parent stream.
  • NOTE: Corrosion inhibitors, neutralizers, process anti-foulants, de-salter demulsifiers, oxygen scavengers, caustic, and water washes are most often recognized as requiring special attention in designing the point of injection. Process additives, chemicals and water are injected into process streams in order to achieve specific process objectives. Injection points do not include locations where two process streams join (see 3.1.60, mixing points).
  • EXAMPLE: Chlorinating agents in reformers, water injection in overhead systems, polysulfide injection in catalytic cracking wet gas, antifoam injections, inhibitors, and neutralizers.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Industry-qualified UT angle beam examiner

Industry-qualified UT angle beam examiner

Definition(s)

Industry-qualified UT angle beam examiner

A person who possesses an ultrasonic angle beam qualification from API (e.g. API QUTE/QUSE Detection and Sizing Tests) or an equivalent qualification approved by the owner/user.
  • NOTE: Rules for equivalency are defined on the API ICP website.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
ILI

ILI

Definition(s)

ILI

in-line inspection. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
GWT

GWT

Definition(s)

GWT

Guided wave examination. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
FRP

FRP

Definition(s)

FRP

Fiberglass reinforced plastic. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Flaw

Flaw

Definition(s)

Flaw

An imperfection in a piping system usually detected by NDE which may or may not be a defect depending upon the applied acceptance criteria.

Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
Flammable Materials

Flammable Materials

Definition(s)

Flammable Materials

As used in this Code, includes all fluids which will support combustion. Refer to NFPA 704 for guidance on classifying fluids in 6.3.4.
  • NOTE: Some regulatory documents include separate definitions of flammables and combustibles based on their flash point. In this document flammable is used to describe both and the flash point, boiling point, auto ignition temperature or other properties are used in addition to better describe the hazard.
Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
FFS

FFS

Definition(s)

FFS

Fitness-for-Service. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards
EMAT

EMAT

Definition(s)

EMAT

Electromagnetic acoustic transducer. Source: API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, Fourth Edition, February 2016, with Addendum May 2017. Global Standards