What should we inspect?
Identify the equipment and areas where inspection can provide the greatest value.
Integrity Solution
Risk-Based Inspection (RBI)
Not All Equipment Carries the Same Risk. So Why Inspect Them the Same Way?
In a complex industrial facility, every asset matters — but not every asset carries the same level of risk.
Traditional inspection programs often rely on fixed inspection intervals. While this approach provides a structured inspection schedule, it may not fully reflect the differences in equipment condition, degradation mechanisms, probability of failure, or potential consequences.
Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) takes a different approach.
Instead of treating every asset the same, RBI focuses inspection efforts where the risk matters most — helping organizations determine what to inspect, how to inspect it, and when inspection should take place.
From Routine Inspection to Risk-Based Inspection
The question is no longer simply:
“When is the next inspection due?”
It becomes:
“Where is the risk, and what should we do about it?”
RBI provides a systematic approach to identifying and prioritizing equipment based on its risk profile.
By understanding the likelihood of failure and the potential consequences of failure, organizations can focus their inspection strategies on the assets and degradation mechanisms that require greater attention.
RBI Risk Calculator
RBI Risk Calculator
Score the probability of failure (EF + DF + IF + CCF) and the consequence of failure, then read the risk ranking off the 5×5 matrix.
Understanding the Risk
RBI evaluates risk through two fundamental factors:
Inspection strategy
From Risk Assessment to Inspection Strategy
Risk assessment is only the beginning. The real value of RBI comes from translating risk information into practical inspection decisions.
- 1
Risk Level
- 2
Damage Mechanism
- 3
Inspection Method
- 4
Inspection Interval
- 5
Inspection Plan
The inspection strategy can then be aligned with the specific risks and degradation mechanisms associated with each asset — higher-risk equipment can receive appropriate attention, while inspection resources for lower-risk equipment can be managed according to its risk profile.
Three fundamental questions
Inspect What Matters
RBI shifts the focus from inspecting everything on the same basis to prioritizing what matters most.
How should we inspect it?
Select inspection methods that are appropriate for the expected damage mechanisms and equipment condition.
When should we inspect it?
Establish inspection intervals that reflect the changing risk profile of the equipment.
Equipment coverage
Covering Critical Equipment Across Your Facility
RBI can be applied to a wide range of equipment and assets across industrial facilities, helping organizations assess and prioritize inspection requirements based on the risk profile of each asset.
Storage Tanks
Fixed Roof and Floating Roof storage tanks, including critical storage assets and associated components.
Pressure Vessels
Columns, Drums, Reactors, and other pressure-containing equipment.
Heat Exchangers
Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers, Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers, and other heat transfer equipment.
Boilers
Steam Boilers, Hot Oil Boilers, and Utility Boilers.
PSVs & Safety Relief Devices
Pressure Safety Valves (PSVs), Relief Devices, and Rupture Discs.
Other Critical Equipment
Furnaces, Towers, Tanks, and other critical equipment that may have a significant impact on safety, production, or asset integrity.
Equipment coverage
The Value of Risk-Based Inspection
RBI can be applied to a wide range of equipment and assets across industrial facilities, helping organizations assess and prioritize inspection requirements based on the risk profile of each asset.
Prioritize inspection activities based on risk
Focus resources on higher-risk equipment and degradation mechanisms
Develop inspection strategies aligned with equipment risk
Support more informed inspection intervals and methods
Improve visibility of asset risk
Strengthen asset integrity management
Make more effective use of inspection resources
Understand the Risk. Prioritize What Matters. Inspect with Purpose.
Risk-Based Inspection is more than changing inspection intervals. It is a structured approach to making better inspection decisions based on risk.