Location Matters for De-Rates During Turnarounds

Let’s talk about de-rating equipment during turnarounds. Not every jurisdiction allows it.  

De-rating in-service equipment greatly lowers operational risk of a facility because it ensures unsafe pressures and temperatures for degraded equipment are no longer available per nameplate. In essence, it prevents C-Suite executives from trying to force any of their unsafe ideas onto unsuspecting operators without immediate pushback. I perform these “Safety De-Rates” as a tool in my turnaround toolbox for mechanical integrity programs in Texas and pretty much everywhere else. 

…but not in California. Circular Letter PV-2001-1 makes it clear that de-rates for process safety reasons, or any other reason, during turnarounds are not allowed. I do not and will not perform any de-rates or re-rates in California even though the plethora of decommissioned equipment sitting around makes it tempting.

Thinking about de-rating your equipment for process safety reasons? Turnaround EPC specializes in de-rating heat exchangers and pressure vessels.