API RP 578 COMPLIANCE AND TRAINING: INSIGHTS FROM A PMI EXPERT

I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with 15 years’ experience in the PMI field. My career in PMI has been primarily focused in the petrochemical industry, where I’ve worked in testing and inspection, sales, consulting/support, service, and training.

I am also the co-author of Metal Analysis Group’s PMI Qualification Training Series, which is part of our initiative to have PMI recognized as an SNT-TC-1A discipline.

Industrial customers throughout the metals supply chain, including metal testing labs, metal fabricators, inspection companies, and scrap metal recyclers. Although we don’t work exclusively in the oil and gas industry, the vast majority of our customers come from this field.

Our company acts as a metal consultant for those in the metal supply chain. We provide training, technical support, audits, construct material verification programs (MVPs), and re-certify test equipment for QC/ISO quality programs.

That they follow standards, guidelines, recommended practices to help reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events in the industry.

These practices are implemented in three ways:

• Training and education
• Record keeping
• Having an MVP that adheres to API guidelines

The biggest misconception about API RP 578 is that it only applies to the in-plant refining process. Suppliers and vendors that provide materials to support the refining process are also subject to API RP 578.

Topics include:

• Government and industry recommendations and regulations
• How to create a metal verification program
• How to conduct PMI testing properly
• Reporting and record keeping

Hands-on learning is an important component of Metal Analysis Group’s API RP 578 training. Participants are challenged to create their own MVP and use PMI equipment to generate and report data.