Traditional time-based inspection treats all equipment the same, regardless of how likely it is to fail or what the consequences would be. Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) does the opposite: it focuses your limited inspection resources where probability of failure (PoF) and consequence of failure (CoF) are highest.
NWE provides independent RBI services aligned with API 580 and API 581, helping asset owners move from calendar-driven inspection to risk-driven inspection programmes that are defensible, practical and standards-based.
Our RBI support helps you:
RBI becomes essential when time-based inspection is no longer enough to balance safety, cost and uptime.
Typical triggers include:
In these situations, RBI provides a structured, API 580/581–aligned way to decide what to inspect, how often and with which methods, based on quantified or semi-quantified risk instead of fixed calendars.
NWE’s RBI work is focused on implementable inspection plans and clear risk communication, not just risk matrices or software outputs.
A typical NWE RBI engagement delivers:
The result is a risk-based inspection plan that is traceable, defendable and actually usable by inspection and operations teams.
NWE’s RBI services are tailored for pressure equipment and piping in energy and process industries, aligned with the typical scope of API 580/581.
Typical assets included in RBI scope:
Typical damage mechanisms considered (depending on service and materials):
For specific flaws or complex loading control risk, RBI is linked with Fitness-for-Service (FFS) and Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) to provide defect-level evaluations.
NWE is not a software vendor or inspection-only provider trying to fill the calendar. We combine independent accreditation with a balanced view of inspection, integrity and engineering.
For asset owners, this means RBI programmes that are technically sound, operationally realistic and aligned with both international standards and local expectations.
Want to reassess your current inspection strategy?
Get in touch with NWE to discuss how RBI can be implemented or improved at your site.
RBI is a cornerstone of NWE’s Asset Integrity Management offering and naturally links with:
These services together ensure that inspection effort, engineering evaluations and risk decisions stay aligned over the life of your assets.
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Time-based inspection follows fixed intervals (for example every 3 or 5 years) regardless of actual risk. RBI uses risk = PoF × CoF as the organising principle: high-risk equipment gets more frequent or more detailed inspection, while low-risk items may justifiably be inspected less often.
NWE aligns its RBI work with API RP 580 (programme elements) and API RP 581 (quantitative RBI methods), and harmonises outputs with client standards, regional regulations and any chosen RBI software environment.
At minimum, you need an equipment list with basic design data, process conditions, materials, inspection history and known damage mechanisms. Higher-quality RBI requires more detailed inspection results, corrosion studies and failure/consequence data. NWE’s own guidance on API 580/581 RBI data requirements can be used as a checklist.
Yes—for low-risk items where PoF and CoF are demonstrably low and properly documented, RBI can justify longer inspection intervals or simpler techniques. At the same time, it often increases focus on a smaller set of high-risk items. The net effect is usually fewer low-value inspections and more targeted inspections where it matters.
RBI defines where and how often you should inspect based on risk. When inspections reveal significant flaws, FFS and integrity assessments (for example API 579 evaluations) are used to decide whether assets can continue in service, under what limits and for how long. RBI then uses those results to update risk and inspection plans.
We’re excited to connect with you and share more about how we can collaborate together!
Please contact us to discuss your staffing requirements and explore how NWE can assist in achieving your project objectives
NWE provides independent third-party inspection services and separate asset-integrity engineering support—improving quality and safety, protecting operations and budgets, and enhancing environmental performance.
