Mechanical integrity repair procedures

Fortunately, the lid was restrained by a short length of stout chain and did not rocket away. A loud report and a swish was heard as the compressed air was harmlessly released. If this unorthodox repair had been performed on a system containing a hazardous chemical, surely there would have been a lot more unwelcome problems. Good mechanical integrity training and adherence to well-written repair procedures can help prevent this type of predicament. 

The Role of Mechanical Integrity in Chemical Process Safety 233 Safety Relief Valve Testing and Repair Procedures... 

There are other equivalent tests which can show that the vessel is mechanically strong. For pumps, integrity data would involve the frequency of seal repairs, bearing repairs, nature and intensity of vibration, plugging, and corrosion problems. With the mechanical integrity tests, other data is recorded, such as records of inspections and tests, maintenance procedures, establishment of criteria for acceptable test results, and documentation of inspection results. Preventive maintenance (PM) programs are a big part of the PSM. 

The procedural controls applicable for the preventive maintenance and repair of the hardware provide a mechanism for anticipating problems and, as a consequence, possible loss of data. Modem hardware usually requires minimum maintenance because electronic circuit boards, for example, are usually easily replaced and cleaning may be limited to dust removal. Diagnostic software is usually available from the supplier to check the performance of the computer system and to isolate defective integrated circuits. Maintenance procedures should be included in the organization s standard operating procedures. The availability of spare parts and access to qualified service personnel are important for the smooth operation of the maintenance program. 

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