Process piping systems that have been retired from service and abandoned in place are no longer covered by this ?in service inspection? Code. However abandoned in place piping may still need some amount of inspection and/or risk mitigation to assure that it does not become a process safety hazard because of continuing deterioration. Process piping systems that are temporarily out of service but have been mothballed (preserved for potential future use) are still covered by this Code.
The intent of this Code is to specify the in-service inspection and condition-monitoring program as well as repair guidance that is needed to determine and maintain the on-going integrity of piping systems. That program should provide reasonably accurate and timely assessments to determine if any changes in the condition of piping could possibly compromise continued safe operation. It is also the intent of this Code that owner/users shall respond to any inspection results that require corrective actions to assure the continued integrity of piping consistent with appropriate risk analysis. API 570 is intended for use by organizations that maintain or have access to an authorized inspection agency, a repair organization, and technically qualified piping engineers, inspectors, and examiners, all as defined in Section 3.