SAMPLE QUESTIONS-II (API RP-580)

1) A physical condition or a release of a hazardous material that could result from

component failure and result in human injury or death, loss or damage, or environ-
mental degradation.
A. Hazard
B. Loss
C. Failure

2) Limitation of any negative consequence or reduction in probability of a particular

event.

A. Mitigation
B. Reduction
C. Residual

3) Methods that use engineering judgment and experience as the bases for the analysis
of probabilities and consequences of failure.
A. Qualitative risk assessment
B. Relative risk
C. Nominal risk

4) An analysis that identifies and delineates the combinations of events, estimates the
frequency of occurrence for each combination and estimates the consequences.
A. Quantitative risk analysis
B. Qualitative risk analysis
C. Process hazard analysis

5) ………………uses logic models depicting combinations of events

A. Quantitative risk analysis

B. Qualitative risk analysis
C. Process hazard analysis

6) Quantitative risk analysis logic models generally consist of …………..and …………

A. Event trees and fault trees

B. Product trees and loss trees
C. Likelihood trees and consequence trees

7) …………….delineate initiating events and combinations of system successes and

failures

A. Event trees
B. Fault trees
 C. Logic trees

8) ……….. Depict ways in which the system failures rep- resented in the event trees can
occur.

A. Event trees
B. Fault trees
C. Logic trees

9) The comparative risk of a facility, process unit, system, equipment item or component
to other facilities

A. Relative risk
B. Absolute risk
C. No risk

10) Combination of the probability of an event and its consequence.

A. Risk
B. Failure
C. Loss
D. Reduction

11) Systematic use of information to identify sources and to estimate the risk.

A. Risk
B. Risk analysis
C. Hazard analysis

12) …………….. Pro- vides a basis for risk evaluation, risk mitigation and risk
acceptance.

A. Risk
B. Risk analysis
C. Hazard analysis

13) Process used to assign values to the probability and consequence of a risk.
A. Risk evaluation
B. Risk estimation
C. Risk identification

14) Process used to compare the estimated risk against given risk criteria to determine the
significance of the risk.

A. Risk evaluation
B. Risk estimation
 C. Risk identification

15) Process to find, list, and characterize elements of risk.

A. Risk estimation
B. Risk evaluation
C. Risk identification
16) Coordinated activities to direct and control an organization with regard to risk.

A. Risk management
B. Risk evaluation
C. Risk control

17) Thing or activity with a potential for con- sequence.

A. Source
B. Hazard
C. Toxic

18) ……………..in a safety context is a hazard.

A. Source
B. Toxic

19) The risk prior to mitigation activities

A. Unmitigated risk
B. Known risk
C. Mitigated risk

20) ………… is the combination of the probability of some event occurring during a time
period of interest and the consequences, associated with the event.

A. Risk
B. Loss
C. Mitigated risk

21) Act of mitigating a known risk to a lower level of risk

A. Risk reduction
B. Risk mitigation
C. Risk evaluation

22) A process to assess risks, to determine if risk reduction is required and to develop a
plan to maintain risks at an acceptable level.
 A. Risk management
B. Risk mitigation
C. Risk control

23) When some risk identified as acceptable then one of the following is not required

A. Risk reduction
B. Risk evaluation
C. Risk mitigation
D. Risk control

24) In process plants, ………………… are established to detect and evaluate

deterioration due to in-ser- vice operation

A. Inspection and testing programs

B. Condition monitoring programs
C. Preventive maintenance programs
D. In-service inspection programs

25) When an equipment has low deterioration rates as an inspector what you decide in
lieu of internal inspection

A. On-stream inspection
B. Out of service inspection
C. External inspection

26) ………… represents the next generation of inspection approaches and interval
setting, recognizing that the ultimate goal of inspection is the safety and reliability of
operating facilities.

A. RBI
B. PHA
C. HAZOP
D. RCM

27) For a typical inspection program, if excessive inspection is applied then,

A. Level of risk may go up

B. Level of risk may go down
C. Level of risk remain the same

28) ……… provides a consistent methodology for assessing the optimum combination of
methods and frequencies.
A. RBI
B. RCM
C. PHA
 D. HAZOP

29) Through ……………, inspection activities are focused on higher risk items and away
from lower risk items.

A. RBI
B. PHA
C. RCM
D. HAZOP

30) Following are not the residual risk factors for loss of containment

A. Human error
B. Natural disasters
C. Fundamental limitations of inspection method
D. Toxic fluid containment

31) RBI is focused on a systematic determination of

A. Relative risks
B. Absolute risks
C. Comparable risks
D. Total risks
32) Act of mitigating a known risk to a lower level of risk.
A. Risk reduction
B. Risk management
C. Risk mitigation

33) Some failures have potentially serious consequences, but if the probability of the
incident is low, then

A. The risk may not warrant immediate action

B. The risk may warrant immediate action
C. The risk may warrant appropriate mitigation action

34) If the probability and consequence combination (risk) is high enough to be

unacceptable, then
A. A mitigation action to predict or prevent the event is recommended.
B. A mitigation action to predict or prevent the event is not recommended
C. Warrant to analyze risks involved

35) ……………..refers to a prescriptive methodology that has resulted from the

application of risk analysis techniques at many different types of facilities,

A. Quantitative risk assessment (QRA)

B. Qualitative risk assessment
 C. Semi quantitative risk assessment

36) A RBI analysis shares many of the techniques and data requirements with a …….

A. QRA
B. PHA
C. HAZOP
D. Event tree

37) If a QRA has been prepared for a process unit, the …………analysis can borrow
extensively from this effort.

A. RBI consequence
B. RBI likelihood
C. RBI probability

38) Hazard identification in a rbi analysis generally focuses on identifiable failure

mechanisms in the equipment (inspectable causes) but does not explicitly deal with

A. Other potential failure scenarios resulting from events such as power failures
or human errors.
B. Other potential failure resulting from events such as flammable fire due to
leak from equipment
C. Environmental impact caused due to toxic release

39) ……………..deals with total risk than with risk involve only with the equipment

A. QRA
B. RBI
C. PHA
D. FTA

40) Risk presented in quantitative risk analysis as a

A. Precise numeric value

B. Form of risk matrix
C. Form of event tree and fault tree

41) Risk presented in qualitative risk analysis as

D. Precise numeric value

E. Form of risk matrix
F. Form of event tree and fault tree

42) Results from quantitative analysis logic models are validated by

A. Expert judgment.
 B. Inspection engineer
C. Maintenance engineer
D. Operations personnel

43) The suitability and current condition of the equipment within the current operating
envelope will determine the ………….of the equipment from one or more
deterioration mechanisms.

A. Probability of failure (POF)

B. Consequence of failure
C. Total risk
D. Relative risk

44) The probability of failure, when coupled with the associated consequence of failure
(cof) (see section 11) will determine ………….associated with the equipment item,

A. Operating risk
B. Ranking
C. Residual risk

45) …………. Is a risk management activity that may lead to risk reduction.

A. Inspection
B. Evaluation
C. Analysis

46) The primary product of a RBI effort should be

A. An inspection plan for each equipment item evaluated

B. Mitigation plan for each equipment item evaluated
C. Residual risk assessment plan for each equipment item evaluated

47) Following are some of the recognized risks which cannot be managed by inspection
alone except one

A. Equipment nearing retirement.

B. Failure mechanisms (such as brittle fracture, fatigue) where avoidance of
failure primarily depends on operating within a defined pressure/temperature
envelope.
C. Consequence-dominated risks.
D. The suitability and current condition of the equipment within the current
operating envelope will determine the probability of failure (POF) of the
equipment from one or more deterioration mechanisms.

48) Following are the non-inspection mitigation actions except one

 A. Replacement or upgrade
B. Equipment redesign
C. Maintenance of strict controls on operating conditions
D. Risk management by monitoring the deterioration

49) In the event of a leak the potential failure of an isolation valve could

A. Increase the inventory

B. Decrease the inventory
C. No harm to inventory

50) Potential hazards identified in a PHA will often affect the

A. Probability of failure side of the risk equation.

B. Consequence of failure side of the equation

51) RBI may include methodologies to assess the effectiveness of the management
systems in maintaining

A. Mechanical integrity
B. Total asset integrity
C. Plant integrity

52) Equipment reliability is especially important if leaks can be caused by

A. Secondary failures, such as loss of utilities
B. Primary failures such as leak due to severe corrosion
C. Tertiary failures due to valve gland packing leak

53) Reliability efforts, such as reliability centered maintenance (RCM), can be linked
with RBI, resulting in an integrated program to
A. Reduce downtime in an operating unit.
B. Reduce operating time of an unit
C. To reduce risk by mitigation activities

54) In jurisdictions that permit the application of the API inspection codes and standards
A. RBI should be an acceptable method for setting inspection plans.
B. RCM should be an acceptable method for setting the inspection plans
C. PHA

55) ……………to be established to judge acceptability of risk could be an objective of

the rbi assessment if such criteria do not exist already within the user’s company.

A. Risk criteria
B. Risk plan
 C. Risk analysis

56) ………………….. Is usually not the primary objective of a RBI assessment, but it is
frequently a side effect of optimization.

A. Reducing inspection costs

B. Increasing inspection costs
C. Increasing frequency of inspection programs

57) When the inspection program is optimized based on an understanding of risk, one or
more of the following cost reduction benefits may be realized. Except one

A. Ineffective, unnecessary or inappropriate inspection activities may be eliminated.

B. Effective, necessary or appropriate inspection activities may be eliminated.

C. On-line or non-invasive inspection methods may be substituted for invasive
methods that require equipment shutdown.
D. More effective infrequent inspections may be substituted for less effective
frequent inspections.

58) The following are the risks identified by RBI assessment that may be man- aged by
actions other than inspection. Except one

A. Modification of the process to eliminate conditions driving the risk.

B. Modification of operating procedures to avoid situations driving the risk.
C. Chemical treatment of the process to reduce deterioration
rates/susceptibilities.
D. Identifying and detecting deterioration and predicting future deterioration
states with advanced inspection technique(s).

59) For qualitative RBI analysis it is important to establish a set of rules to assure
consistency in

A. Categorization or classification
B. Segregation
C. Ranking

60) Generally, a qualitative analysis using broad ranges requires a …………………..from

the user than a quantitative approach.

A. Higher level of judgment, skill and understanding

B. Lower level of judgment, skill and understanding
61) The models are evaluated…………………..to provide both qualitative and
quantitative insights about the level of risk and to identify the design, site, or
operational characteristics that are the most important to risk.

A. Probabilistically
B. Statistically
C. Linearly
D. Logically

63) Potential source of errors in rbi analysis regarding data quality are the following
except

a. Assumptions in equipment history

b. Outdated drawings and documentation
c. Inspector error
d. Advanced inspection methods

64) The following assumption can be made that significantly impact the calculated
corrosion rate early in the equipment life

A. If the base line thickness were not performed the nominal thickness may be
used for the original thickness
B. If original thickness not available, averaged ut thickness readings may be used
C. If the original thickness not available, maximum ut thickness readings may be
used

65) ………………… may result in the calculated corrosion rate appearing artificially
high or low.

A. Clerical error
B. Measurement error
C. Inspector error
D. Ut scanning

66) The data validation step stresses the need for a knowledgeable individual

A. To comparing data from the inspections to the expected deterioration mechanism

and rates.
B. To com-pare the results with previous measurements on that system,
C. Similar systems at the site or within the company or published data.
D. All of the above

67) the amount and type of codes and standards used by a facility can have
 A. Significant impact on RBI results
B. No impact on RBI results
C. Less significant impact on RBI results

68) Who should be consulted to define the equipment deterioration mechanisms,

susceptibility and potential failure modes.
A. A metallurgist or corrosion specialist
B. A metallurgist and corrosion specialist
C. A metallurgist only
D. Corrosion specialist only

69) ------------------are the primary inputs into the probability of failure evaluation.

A. The deterioration mechanisms, rates and susceptibilities

B. Loss of containment f fluid
C. Fluid toxicity and its concentration
D. Damage mechanisms and its severity

70) --------------------------is key to per-forming deterioration mechanism identification.

A. Understanding equipment operation and the interaction with the chemical and
mechanical environment.
B. Understanding equipment operation and process upsets
C. Understanding equipment operation and its safety protective measures

71) Who can provide useful input (such as the spectrum of process conditions, injection
points etc.) To aid materials specialists in the identification of deterioration
mechanisms and rates.

A. Process specialists
B. Plant operation specialists
C. Asset integrity experts
D. Inspection engineers

72) Thinning causes the loss of material from

A. External surfaces only

B. Internal surfaces only
C. External or internal surfaces

73) SSC occurs when equipment is exposed to environments

A. Conducive to certain cracking mechanisms

B. Unfavorable to certain cracking mechanisms
C. Unbeneficial to certain cracking mechanisms
74) ----------------are often necessary to establish susceptibility of equipment to stress
corrosion cracking.

A. Literature, expert opinion and experience

B. Cracking mechanisms
C. Damage mechanisms
D. Fluid toxicity and its constituents

75) ………………curves are referred for htha deterioration mechanism for carbon and
low ally steel materials

A. Nelson curves
B. Ph concentration curves
C. Schmidt curves for sulfide corrosion

76) Following are the critical variables for deterioration mechanism except

A. Material of construction
B. Process operating
C. Start up and shut down conditions
D. Insulation

77) Following are the common mechanical deterioration mechanisms except

A. Fatigue
B. Stress/creep rupture
C. Tensile overload
D. Intergranular corrosion

78) Depending on the methodology employed in qualitative analysis, the categories may
be described with words such as
A. High, medium or low or may have numerical descriptors.
B. High, medium or low only
C. Numerical descriptors only

79) When in accurate or insufficient failure data exists on the specific equipment item for
quantities probability of failure analysis then

A. General industry, company or manufacturer failure data used

B. Process hazard analysis failure data may be used
C. Process and toxic concentration analysis may be used
80) Deterioration rates can be expressed in terms of

A. Corrosion rates for thinning or susceptibility for mechanisms where

deterioration rate is unknown
B. Corrosion rates for thinning only
C. Immeasurable quantity
D. Discrete numbers
E. Susceptible rates only

81) Damage mechanisms where deterioration rates are immeasurable or unknown are

A. Stress corrosion cracking

B. Hydrogen induced cracking
C. Thinning
D. All of the above
E. Both a and b

82) The ability to state the rate of deterioration precisely is affected by the following
except

A. By equipment complexity
B. Type of deterioration mechanism, process and metallurgical variations,
C. Inaccessibility for inspection, limitations of inspection and test methods
D. Lack of coverage of an area subject to deterioration.
E. None of the above

83) The type of failure mode that likely to occur due to pitting

A. Small hole sized leaks

B. Small holes to ruptures
C. Cracks
D. Catastrophic rupture

84) The type of failure mode that likely to occur due to ssc

A. Small holes to rupture

B. Small holes
C. Cracks
D. Only rupture

85) The type of failure mode that likely to occur due to mechanical and metallurgical
deterioration

A. Small holes to ruptures

B. Cracks
 C. Catastrophic ruptures
D. Leaks

86) The type of failure mode that likely to occur due thinning

A. Larger leaks or rupture

B. Only rupture
C. Metal loss
D. Cracks

87) If a very aggressive acid is carried over from a corrosion resistant part of a system
into a downstream vessel that is made of carbon steel, the result would be

A. Rapid corrosion could result in failure in a few hours or days.

B. General corrosion over a period of time could result in metal loss
C. No deterioration will take place since carbon steel is resistant to aggressive acid

88) If multiple inspections have been performed, which inspection may best reflect
current operating conditions?

A. Most recent inspection

B. Base line inspection survey
C. Process conditions
D. Corrosion survey

89) Probability side of the risk equation is normally managed by

A. Plant inspectors or inspection engineers

B. Maintenance planning engineers
C. Process safety personnel
D. Both a and b

90) Other functional failures are usually covered within

A. RBI
B. RCM
C. PHA
D. HAZOP

91) Following will cover the functional failures except

A. Heat exchanger tube failure

B. Pressure relief device failure
C. Rotating equipment failure
D. Static equipment failure due to process environment
92) Qualitative consequence analysis of failure can be estimated separately for each unit,
system, equipment group or individual equipment item.

A. On the basis of expert knowledge and experience

B. On the basis of available data
C. On the basis of process and environmental conditions
D. No basis required since it is qualitative

93) Results of quantitative consequence analysis are usually expressed in

A. Numeric
B. Ranges from high to low
C. Frequency
D. Occasion

94) In most consequence evaluations, a key element in deter-mining the magnitude of the
consequence is
A. The volume of fluid released.
B. Amount of surface area exposed due to toxic release
C. Physical area impacted by release

95) Following is the unit of measure of consequence that are least developed among
those currently used for RBI assessment

A. Affected area
B. Cost
C. Environmental damage
D. Safety

96) Most of the damage from thermal effects tends to occur in

A. Close range
B. Wide range
C. Large distance
D. None of the above

97) Toxic releases in RBI are only addressed when they affect

A. Personnel
B. Equipment
C. Process

98) The RBI program for environmental consequences, typically focuses

A. On acute and immediate environmental risks, rather than chronic risks from
low-level emissions
 B. On acute and immediate chronic risks than immediate environmental risks
C. Non threat environmental risks

99) The consequences of environmental damage are best understood by

A. Cost
B. Release
C. Volume of fluid
D. Toxic concentration

100) Maintenance impact will generally be measured in monetary terms and typically
includes:

A. Repairs and equipment replacement

B. Method of cleanup
C. Safety systems

101) ………………..is a powerful tool that is being used by many companies,

governments and regulatory authorities as one method in determining risk
acceptance.

A. Cost-benefit analysis
B. Risk analysis
C. Cost consequence analysis
D. Risk based cost analysis

102) Using risk assessment the inspections are prioritized based on

A. Risk value
B. Risk matrix
C. Risk consequence
D. Risk failure

103) ………………….typically involves reviewing some or all input variables to the

risk calculation to determine the overall influence on the resultant risk value.

A. Sensitivity analysis
B. Risk analysis
C. Process hazard analysis
D. Safety risk analysis

104) ……………is an important part of the data validation phase of risk assessment.

A. Sensitivity analysis
 B. Risk analysis
C. Probability analysis
D. Process hazard analysis

105) The information gathering performed after the sensitivity analysis should be
focused on developing

A. More certainty for the key input variables.

B. Less certainty for the key input variables
C. No certainty for the key input variables
D. None of the above

106) Too conservative assumptions made for the available or unavailable data lead to
overestimating consequences or probability of failure values will

A. Inflate the calculated risk values

B. May mislead inspection planners, management and insurers
C. Can create a lack of credibility for the user and the rbi process
D. All of the above

107) Once the risk values are developed, one way of presenting results of the risk
values are by

A. Risk matrix or plot

B. Risk indicators
C. Risk ranking
D. Risk occurrence

108) When the consequence category is given a higher weight age than the probability
category then the risk matrix will be

A. Symmetrical
B. Asymmetrical
C. Logical
D. None of the above

109) Highest risk ranking in the risk matrix is toward the

Upper right corner of the matrix

Upper left corner of the matrix
Lower right corner of the matrix
Lower left corner of the matrix
110) Once the risk plots have been completed then the risk plot or matrix can be used
as …………… during the prioritization process

A. Screening tool
B. Guideline tool
C. Control line tool
D. Risk determination tool

111) ………………policies influence the placement of risk thresholds

A. Corporate safety and financial policies

B. Maintenance inspection policies
C. Engineering design policies
D. None of the above

112) A pressure vessel which is critical for operations, whose design pressure is 15 bar
and its operating pressure under normal conditions vary from 6 bar to 10bar. The
vessel is in sulphuric acid process environment. In due course of time after the
vessel put into service for 10years, it subject to thinning due to sulphuric acid
corrosion and found that localized corrosion up to 7mm( nominal thickness-10mm,
t-min-4mm). The vessel undergone RBI analysis and categorized under higher risk
ranking, following are the best suitable mitigation action to be consider

A. Equipment to be decommissioned
B. Equipment redesign
C. Reduction of operating pressure acceptable to the process followed by cost
effective inspection program with repair as indicated by the inspection results
D. All of the above
E. None of the above

113) The quality of the inspection data and the analysis or interpretation will greatly
affect the

A. Level of risk mitigation

B. Level of failure
C. Level of prediction
D. None of the above

114) Following are the tools critical to achieve risk mitigation through inspection

A. Proper inspection methods

B. Proper data analysis tools
C. Both a and b
D. All of the above
 115) Which plays a major role in over all risk management strategy

A. Inspection
B. Mitigation
C. Consequence
D. Failure

116) Which inspection technique for a piping circuit would be considered to have little
or no benefit if the deterioration mechanism results in unpredictable localized
corrosion

A. Spot thickness readings

B. Ultrasonic readings
C. Radiography
D. All of the above

117) In the case of localized corrosion, which inspection technique is more effective

A. Ultrasonic for thickness monitoring

B. Radiography
C. Ultrasonic flaw detection
D. None of the above

118) Which are the best cases that may cause deterioration and increase the risk of the
equipment when managing the risk with inspection activities

A. Moisture ingress to equipment leading to SCC or polythionic acid cracking.

B. Internal inspection of glass lined vessels.
C. Risk associated with shutting down and starting up
D. All of the above

119) ………………… be performed to determine what size flaws, if found in future

inspections, would require repair or equipment replacement.

A. Fit- ness-for-service
B. RBI analysis
C. Process hazard analysis
D. All of the above
ANS KEY API-580-MOD

1. A
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. B
14. A
15. C
16. A
17. A
18. A
19. A
20. A
21. A
22. A
23. A
24. A
25. A
26. A
27. A
28. A
29. A
30. D
31. A
32. A
33. A
34. A
35. A
36. A
37. A
38. A
39. A
40. A
41. B
42. A
43. A
44. A
45. A
46. A
47. D
48. D
49. A
50. A
51. A
52. A
53. A
54. A
55. A
56. A
57. B
58. D
59. A
60. A
61. A
62. NO QUESTION
63. D
64. A
65. B
66. D
67. A
68. A
69. A
70. A
71. A
72. C
73. A
74. A
75. A
76. D
77. D
78. A
79. A
80. A
81. E
82. E
83. A
84. A
85. A
86. A
87. A
88. A
89. D
90. B
91. D
92. A
93. A
94. A
95. C
96. A
97. A
98. A
99. A
100. A
101. A
102. A
103. A
104. A
105. A
106. D
107. A
108. A
109. A
110. A
111. A
112. C
113. A
114. D
115. A
116. A
117. B
118. D
119. A
120.