Tier-3 Events Investigation
Tier-3 Events Investigation
What should be common practice to investigate Tier-3 events including LOPC, Inspection & Testing beyond acceptable limits, and other indicators as per API 754?
Re: Tier-3 Events Investigation
First thing first, there is no mandatory requirement for any Tier-3 incident as per classification provided in API 754.
Beyond this, let us see the best practices. We have seen Companies applying simple SME level investigations to facilitate learning from these incidents to control their recurrence.
Now the best way to do that is to have a potential consequence assessed.
Talking about your case of LOPCs within Tier-3 events;
We know Tier-3 are actual losses of containment that fall below the Tier 2 mass thresholds (e.g., a small seal leak or valve packing leak).
The Trigger: Any unplanned release recorded that doesn't meet Tier 1/2 cost or quantity thresholds.
Investigation Focus: Focus on the Physical Barrier Failure (pressure vessels, heat exchangers, tanks, piping, rotary etc.)
Was it a gasket failure? (Wrong gasket? Improper torque?)
Was it vibration induced?
Was it operator error (valve left open)?
Common Practice: Aggregate and analyze this data.
One small leak is a maintenance issue; 10 small leaks on the same pump type is a Process Safety issue.
I hope this would provide you with some perspective.
Beyond this, let us see the best practices. We have seen Companies applying simple SME level investigations to facilitate learning from these incidents to control their recurrence.
Now the best way to do that is to have a potential consequence assessed.
Talking about your case of LOPCs within Tier-3 events;
We know Tier-3 are actual losses of containment that fall below the Tier 2 mass thresholds (e.g., a small seal leak or valve packing leak).
The Trigger: Any unplanned release recorded that doesn't meet Tier 1/2 cost or quantity thresholds.
Investigation Focus: Focus on the Physical Barrier Failure (pressure vessels, heat exchangers, tanks, piping, rotary etc.)
Was it a gasket failure? (Wrong gasket? Improper torque?)
Was it vibration induced?
Was it operator error (valve left open)?
Common Practice: Aggregate and analyze this data.
One small leak is a maintenance issue; 10 small leaks on the same pump type is a Process Safety issue.
I hope this would provide you with some perspective.
Re: Tier-3 Events Investigation
Clear.
How do you see API 585 in all of this, means LOPCs investigation?
How do you see API 585 in all of this, means LOPCs investigation?