API RP 754 News

As a result of recommendations from the Texas City Baker report a new API Recommended Practice, RP 754, is in final draft awaiting ANSI approval. This new RP provides guidelines for the reporting of process safety key performance indicators (KPIs). It is expected that the guidelines will identify 4 tiers of indicators based on the severity of the incident. The highest level, Tier 1, will be a loss of primary containment (LOPC) of ‘greater consequence’. In other words an unplanned and uncontrolled release of any material that could harm people, have an impact on the community or damage to equipment. Although this relates to any material, threshold quantities will be set. Tier 2 is a LOPC of ‘lesser consequence’. The determination of Tier 1 and Tier 2 events are defined in the RP. Tiers 3 and 4 are, respectively, a challenge to the safety system(s) and a challenge to the operating management systems. These are expected to be defined by each facility to meet their particular requirements and data availability. Such guidelines are long overdue and we are eager to see the final documents, and how industry reacts to their content.