Petrochem/Utilities Industry Trends

Becoming a Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector

Issue Table of Contents

New ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code to Arrive in July Becoming a Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector New Requirements Soon to Become Available for Transport Tanks ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Related Standards and Publications

Petrochemical companies go to great lengths to ensure that the equipment they use in their facilities meets local and federal requirements. But they must also continually inspect this equipment and the facilities in which they operate to ensure performance and adherence to health, safety and environmental requirements. Inspectors who perform these duties must be properly trained and certified — and for many, this means participating in the Individual Certification Programs provided by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

API offers a number of certification programs for inspectors and other personnel. One of those is API 510, the Pressure Vessel Inspector Certification Program. By participating in this program, inspectors of pressure vessel equipment in petroleum, petrochemical, and chemical facilities can prove their knowledge of industry-standard inspection codes such as those created and maintained by API and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The program also benefits companies — certified inspectors help support the safety and quality of operations while also providing the industry with greater means to engage in self-regulation.

Many states recognize the standards established by the API 510 Individual Certification Program. Those states include California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, along with the territory of Puerto Rico. Currently, there are more than 3,700 pressure vessel inspectors with active certifications provided by API. The certification remains valid for three years, after which inspectors must apply for recertification if they wish to remain certified through API.

In order to participate in the Pressure Vessel Inspector Certification Program, individuals must meet requirements established by API concerning industry experience and education levels. If they meet these requirements, they can apply to take the API 510 Inspector Certification Exam, which is offered twice a year in June and December. They can also apply for certification by passing the exam provided by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors Owner-User Commission or by receiving a Certificate of Competency.

Publications covered in the API 510 exam include those developed by API and ASME. For the most recent exam (held December 3, 2003), these publications included: