windaAPI 580 and API 581, compared
API 580 sets out the program, and API 581 gives the calculation method: the 2 documents every RBI program cites, side by side.
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API RP 580 defines what a risk-based inspection program must be: the elements, the governance, the intent. API RP 581 provides one way to compute it: damage factors, consequence areas, inspection effectiveness grades.
A program can be aligned to 580 without using 581's arithmetic. Most operators use both: 580 as the constitution, 581 as the calculator.
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