Free Practice Questions for API API-580 Exam

According to Section 7.2.3:

“Quantitative RBI uses logic models depicting combinations of events that could result in severe accidents and physical models depicting the progression of accidents… Hence more detailed information and data are needed for a fully quantitative RBI in order to provide input for the models.”

The need for detailed data in quantitative analysis is primarily to enable the use of logic and physical models in assessing risk.

After planning is completed, API 580 Section 6.1 states:

“Once this portion of the RBI planning process has been completed the data and information required for collection should be identified.”

This confirms that the next step involves identifying the data needed for analysis, not directly jumping to failure modes or mitigation.

API 580, Section 9.3.3 provides clear guidance:

“In the case [of] insufficient failure data… general industry, company, or manufacturer failure data is used. This failure data should be adjusted and made specific to the equipment being analyzed… Qualified persons should make these modifications on a case-by-case basis.”​

Therefore, the standard mandates expert-driven adjustments to general data for it to be useful and accurate for the specific context.

As per API 580, Section 8.3:

“Once a credible damage mechanism(s) has been identified, the associated failure mode should also be identified. For example, local thinning could lead to a pinhole leak in the pressure-containing boundary.”

The example “pit-to-leak” accurately reflects a transition from a damage mechanism (pitting corrosion) to a failure mode (leak). Options B and C are damage modes or mechanisms, and D is a fabrication defect—not a failure mode.

API 580, Section 15.2.4:

“A qualified corrosion specialist shall be responsible for assessing the types of damage mechanisms and their applicability and severity to the equipment considering the process conditions, environment, metallurgy, age, and other relevant data.”

Other roles may assist but the designated responsibility lies with the corrosion specialist.

According to Section 11.2.1 of API 580:

“The probability of credible events leading up to the specific consequence should be factored into the probability of the specific consequence occurring.”

Additionally:

“It is important to understand this linkage between the POF and the probability of possible resulting incidents… The probability of a specific consequence is tied to the severity of the consequence and may differ considerably from the probability of the equipment failure itself.”

Option A is correct and emphasized directly in API 580.

Option B is incorrect because considering all credible events is essential.

Option C is incorrect: the probability of a consequence typically decreases with severity.

Option D is incorrect: the probability of consequence is linked to the probability of failure.

As clearly stated in API 580, Section 7.2:

“The precision of the data should be consistent with the RBI method used. The individual or team should understand the precision of the data needed for the analysis before gathering it.”

This means qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative approaches may require different levels of data precision.