A Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) work process has been developed for above-ground, fiberglass
reinforced polymer (FRP) storage tanks containing one of five designated chemicals. The process
complies with American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice 580 – Risk-Based Inspection and
the ASME PCC-3 Inspection Planning using Risk-Based methods that were developed for fixed
equipment and piping in the hydrocarbon and chemical process industries. However the basic
methodology can be adapted to any class of industrial equipment, such as FRP equipment. Damage
mechanism documentation for five selected chemical and tank construction combinations was
developed to provide guidance in developing failure scenarios.
The RBI work process includes a benefit-cost analysis that compares the economic benefit of mitigation
to the cost of the actions selected to mitigate the risk. Mitigation of the S/H/E risk is also an inherent
part of developing the inspection and maintenance plan. This RBI work process allows plant personnel
to monitor reliability while delivering a task-focused, cost effective inspection and maintenance plan for
a FRP storage tank.
Keywords: Risk-Based Inspection, FRP, Polymers, Corrosion