API 580 Training

This 16 hour Risk Based Inspection course is designed to help inspection and engineering personnel responsible for fixed equipment mechanical integrity understand the essential elements/tasks for an RBI assessment/program as defined in API 580 and understand how to implement and sustain a Risk Based Inspection program. This is an ideal class for those preparing for API 580 certification.

Register

StartEndLocationPrice (USD)
Monday, December 2, 2024
12:00 AM
Thursday, December 5, 2024
12:00 AM
Houston, TX
(Online)
$650 Register Now

Overview

API 580 Training

This 16 hour course provides participants with a clear and thorough understanding of the basic elements for developing, implementing and sustaining an effective Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program as defined in API RP 580. This RBI training covers the following:

  • Definition of RBI
  • Key and required elements of RBI
  • How to implement an RBI program
  • How to sustain an RBI program

The objective of this course is to provide individuals with advanced knowledge and skills in RBI based on the information contained in API RP 580. In addition to the classroom or online instruction, this course includes exercises designed to help you understand the essential elements of an RBI program.

Curriculum

This course walks participants through the published API Recommended Practice 580 Elements of a Risk-Based Inspection Program with in-depth discussion and exercises designed to provide students with an understanding of each element of the recommended practice.

Topics

  • Introduction to API 580 and Risk Based Inspection
  • The RBI Team
  • Planning the RBI Program
  • Collect RBI Data
  • Identify Damage Mechanisms
  • Determine Probability of Failure
  • Determine Consequence of Failure
  • Determine Risk
  • Mitigate and Manage Risk
  • Document RBI Results
  • Update the RBI Assessment
  • API 580 Certification / API 580 Exam Preparation

Who should attend

This training is intended for engineers, inspection, and maintenance personnel involved with corrosion, process safety, mechanical integrity, and RBI in onshore and offshore process industries such as oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical, and power.

This training will be valuable for inspectors who currently possess certifications such as the API 510, 570, or 653 inspection certification and work for organizations which have RBI programs.

Individuals who are interested in obtaining API 580 certification can utilize this course to supplement their exam preparation efforts.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Understand the essential elements/tasks for an RBI assessment/program as defined in API 580
  • Understand how to implement and sustain an RBI program
  • Identify key and required elements as defined in API 580
  • Be prepared for the API 580 certification exam

Included API 580 Course Materials

  • Comprehensive participant notes / API 580 study guide
  • Terminology flashcards
  • Daily self-assessments / simulated exams
  • Continuing instructor support to answer API 580 and other RBI-related questions after course completion.
  • 30-day access to our online test bank.

Attendee Requirements

For classroom offerings, attendees are responsible for their own method of transportation, lodging, and meals. AOC does provide lunch for each day of the course. AOC is not responsible for registering attendees for the API exams or the fees associated with them. All attendees are responsible to provide their own copies of the API RP 580 documentation.

How much does it cost?

Our standard 16 hours API 580 Training costs $650 per participant.

When is this course offered?

Our courses are scheduled to coincide with the API 580 exam. This course is offered Spring, Fall, and Winter just prior to each exam window so that participants can benefit from concentrated practice and support in preparation for the exam.

Where is this course offered?

While we offer this course online three times a year, this course is also available in-house (at AOC) or on-site (at your location) and can be customized to meet the specific needs of your organization.

Facilitators

Leon Johnson, Vice President - Performance and Learning

Leon has over 18 years of experience providing RBI program implementation, management, and training in the refining, gas processing, petrochemical, and chemical industries. Leon has a B.S. in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. In addition to API 580 certification, he is a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) and a Member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Mike Hurley, Vice President - Technology

Mike has over 20 years of experience providing Inspection, RBI, PSM program implementation, management, and training in the refining, gas processing, petrochemical, and chemical industries, with half or more working directly for major chemical companies. Mike has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas. In addition, he is also certified to API 580.

Paul Raithby - Senior Consultant

Paul has over 20 years Maintenance, Reliability and Mechanical Integrity experience in the Oil, Gas and Chemicals sector as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and a leader in Inspection Management in this highly regulated environment. Paul currently works as a Senior Consultant helping our clients to implement Mechanical Integrity programs using Risk Based Inspection methodologies world wide. In addition, he is also certified to API 580.

Cancellations

AOC's policies with respect to cancellation either by the participant or by AOC are as follows:

  • Course Cancelation: Should this course be cancelled due to insufficient registrants, all registration fees shall be refunded. AOC will contact participants 30 days prior to the start of the course to confirm attendance and provide further details. AOC is not responsible for losses in travel/accommodation expenses, therefore it is advised that participants refrain from booking travel/accommodation until they confirm the course with AOC.
  • Participant Cancellation: Any participant that decides not to attend is entitled to transfer their registration to a substitute participant or may attend a later course. No refunds will be given.

Exam Registration

Registration and/or completion of this course does not register you for the exam. You can learn more about application for certification and exam registration at the API website.

Guarantee Policy

API's 580 certification exam can be quite challenging. Completion of this training does not ensure a passing score on the exam.

Register Now!

Why Choose AOC

We have been providing Risk Based Inspection training since our inception. Here are a few reasons why you should consider using AOC as your RBI training provider:

  • All of our online courses are offered with a live instructor. We do not offer pre-recorded courseware for our online offerings.
  • AOC's consultants have remained at the forefront of RBI and were involved in RBI before API 580/581 even existed.
  • AOC consultants continue to be actively involved in the development of the API 580 Recommended Practice.
  • Our courseware is professionally developed and takes into account current instructional best-practices.
  • AOC trainers are API 580 certified.
  • Our trainers have been facilitating RBI training courses for over 20 years
  • Our trainers are not merely teachers - Between them they have over 60 years practical experience with hundreds of RBI implementations in many diverse plants, operational environments, and regulatory environments around the world.
  • While certification is certainly a goal, our courses are not designed merely to pass the exam. Our courses give RBI personnel the real-world knowledge they need to be effective in implementing and sustaining RBI programs.

Register Now!

About API 580

American Petroleum Institute (API)

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a national trade association that represents all facets of the oil and natural gas industry. Although it's focus is primarily in the US, API is recognized around the world for a broad range of programs. For more than 90 years, API had been at the forefront of the development of petroleum, natural gas, and petrochemical equipment and operating standards and now has an extensive catalog of codes which standardize industry practices.

API offers an Individual Certification Program designed to recognize working professionals who are knowledgeable of industry inspection codes and standards and who are performing their jobs in accordance with such codes and standards. Adherence to API standards and practices is a legal requirement in many US states and has become widely recognized and adopted in many other countries.

Risk Based Inspection (RBI)

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) is a methodology used to schedule inspections of equipment in industrial plants. Equipment usually consists of piping or fixed equipment such as pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and storage tanks.

Throughout the refining and petrochemical industry, RBI is becoming an accepted and dominant methodology to schedule pressure equipment inspections. Effective RBI has been proven to improve reliability and safety of such equipment. These benefits have been achieved by mitigating risks (primarily through inspection) associated with loss of containment events caused by damage mechanisms.

RBI is, essentially, a method of optimizing inspection plans so that risk is minimized and return on investment is maximized.

When done correctly, RBI can reduce the frequency of inspections while ensuring the risk does not increase. Conversely, it can shorten inspection frequencies should the risk necessitate it.

This complex nature of RBI has necessitated a need for a formal definition of the methodology.

API Recommended Practice 580

In 2002, API published it's first edition of their Recommended Practice 580 which formally outlines and explains the basic elements for developing, implementing, and maintaining a credible RBI program.

API 580 Risk Based Inspection has since become something of an industry standard. It is now referenced in API's inspection codes (510, 570, & 653) as an acceptable means of setting inspection intervals. In some locales, it is mandated that facilities making use of RBI methodologies must adhere to the practice defined in API 580.

Those involved with RBI should possess some form of training and certification to prove their competency in RBI.

Register Now!

API 580 Certification

What is API 580 Certification?

The American Petroleum Institute certifies individuals in a number of their standards and practices. The API 580 RBI certification demonstrates an individual's understanding of RBI methodology, practices and implementation.

Why should I pursue an American Petroleum Institute Certification?

Obtaining the API 580 certification can add significant value to your professional credentials and demonstrates to employers, owner/operators, and clients that you have a high level of proficiency and deep understanding of RBI.

Who should get certified?

You should consider API 580 certification if you are:

  • An inspector working for a user/owner who has a RBI program or you work for a contractor implementing RBI programs
  • A stakeholder in the RBI process for your organization (engineers, managers, etc.)
  • Providing RBI consulting services to implement, manage, and/or sustain RBI programs

Qualifications

Current API 510, API 570, or API 653 certification holders are automatically qualified to take the exam.

If you do not hold an API 510, 570 or 653 certification, qualification is based on a combination of level of education and experience acquired within the last 10 years as follows:

EducationYearsExperience Required
BS or higher1 yearAny experience in petrochemical industry
2-year degree or certification in engineering or technology2 yearsAny experience in petrochemical industry
High school diploma or equivalent3 yearsAny experience in petrochemical industry
No formal education5 or more yearsAny experience in petrochemical industry

API 580 Exam Information

In addition to the above education and experiential requirements, candidates are required to pass an exam that covers the content of API RP 580.

  • The exam tests the candidate's knowledge and expertise in the field of RBI.
  • Candidates have up to 3.25 hours to complete the exam.
  • The exam consists of 90 questions, of which 80 are scored. The exam is closed book. Paper and reference materials are not allowed.
  • Questions for the exam are based on API Recommended Practice 580.
  • You will need to apply to take the exam with API. As part of the application process you will be required to submit proof of your education and experience qualifications. Education can be documented via the submission of a copy of your diploma or certificate. Experience is verified by a check of references which are submitted as part of the application process.
  • There is an application fee of $355 for API members and $410 for non-members.

The API 580 certification exam is offered three times per year: Spring, Fall, and Winter.

The API 580 certification exam is an online exam hosted by Prometric. Contact Prometric to find a testing center near you.

The upcoming exam schedule announced by API is as follows:

Exam WindowApplication Deadline
April 5-26, 2024February 1, 2024
August 9-30, 2024June 7, 2024
December 6-27, 2024October 4, 2024

Recertification

As the Recommended Practice changes over time, 580 certification is valid for a three-year term and must be applied for within 90 days of expiration of your current certification. Employment verification is not required to recertify.

Register Now!

Course Inquiry

For more information about this course or to inquire about a customized version of this course hosted in-house at our Houston, Texas location or on-site at a location convenient to you, please complete the form below.


Related Services

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Implementation and Planning

AOC has delivered thousands of sustainable Risk Based Inspection (RBI) programs earning the trust of owner operators.

End-of-Life, Remaining-Life, and Fitness-for-Service Assessments

When evaluation of inspection results suggest that an asset is near its end of useful life, Fitness for Service evaluations can determine if the asset us suitable for continued operation.

Damage Mechanism Review / Corrosion Study

One of the most important steps in an RBI project is the corrosion study or damage mechanism review.

Related Tools

API 580 Work Process Quiz

How well do you know RBI? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge of the API 580 risk-based inspection (RBI) work process.

RBI Potential Savings Calculator

Create mechanical integrity (MI) program value rather than it being seen as a necessary cost to minimize.

Related Training

API 581 Training

A deep dive into quantitative Risk Based Inspection (RBI) as outlined in API 581.

API 580 RBI Overview

What impact does Risk Based Inspection (RBI) have on my organization?

API 581 Overview

What's actually going on inside all of that fancy software? An introduction to the API 581 methodology.

RBI/MI Overview

A high level overview introducing Mechanical Integrity and Risk Based Inspection

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - A Mechanical Integrity Best Practice

What are your goals for RBI? How will you measure your success? How will you sustain that success?

Related Knowledge

Goal: 100% API 580 Certified

A long-standing vision of AOC, we are well on our way to meeting the goal of having 100% of our RBI staff certified to API 580.

Risk Strategies for Pressure Retaining Equipment

What are equipment/inspection strategies in relation to mechanical integrity (MI) and risk based inspection (RBI)?

API 580 (4th edition) Required Elements

What are the requirements of API 580, 4th edition?

How to Incorporate the New PHMSA Underground Gas Storage Requirements

This is a practical approach to incorporating the new PHMSA gas well rules into your integrity program with the rest of your surface and subsurface assets.

Insights on Improving Inspection Effectiveness

Since the evaluation of inspection effectiveness for RBI can be so subjective, following these suggestions can greatly improve the process.

National Regulation 13 in Brazil

When working in Brazil please be aware that Brazil has its own Regulatory Standard – NR13 – that covers the minimum requirements for managing the integrity and inspection of steam boilers, pressure vessels, storage tanks and interconnecting pipes.

Plant Management 101: Common Work Processes

A dysfunctionality found in many refineries, chemical plants, and other production facilities, is a lack of common asset management work processes.

Proposed API 581 Inspection Plan Optimization Example

An example to compliment our earlier proposal for a risk analysis option that allows for individual damage mechanism risk calculation in API 581

Proposed API 581 Inspection Plan Optimization

A proposal for a risk analysis option that allows for individual damage mechanism risk calculation in API 581

Other Benefits of Risk Based Inspection Implementation

A look at several of the secondary benefits of Risk Based Inspection