In this post, we provide a detailed overview of Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments, FFS litigation savings, FFS applications, and a project case study
What is Fitness-for-Service?
Fitness-For-Service (FFS) is a type of assessment that evaluates the structural integrity of a component to determine whether it is safe for continued operation as originally intended. These assessments can vary in complexity, depending on a number of factors, including the type and extent of observed damage on the component. When performed in a timely manner, FFS assessments have the potential to eliminate the need for costly repairs through mitigation strategies that can extend the service life of the component before damages become too severe.
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What Are the Different Levels of Assessment for Fitness-For-Service?
There are three levels of Fitness-For-Service assessment, with increasingly rigorous requirements to assess the component.
Level 1 Assessment: A surface level inspection of the component generally requiring only a basic visual inspection and limited data, which is typically performed by a qualified inspector or engineer.
Level 2 Assessment: A more advanced inspection that requires detailed data for calculations performed by a reliability engineer.
Level 3 Assessment: The most advanced inspection, which requires comprehensive data of the component for finite element analysis (FEA) simulations that are carried out by experienced FFS engineers.
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Benefits of Fitness-For-Service: (Liabilities, and cost savings)
By evaluating the condition of equipment or structures, FFS can help save money by mitigating liabilities in the following ways:
- Extending the Service Life: FFS assessments can identify the remaining life and suitability for continued operation of aging equipment or structures. By demonstrating that the equipment or structure can still safely perform its intended function, FFS can prevent premature replacement or unnecessary repairs, thus saving significant costs.
- Avoiding Unplanned Downtime: FFS evaluations can identify potential flaws, defects, or damages that could lead to failure during operation. By detecting these issues in advance, appropriate maintenance or repairs can be scheduled, reducing the risk of unexpected failures and associated downtime costs.
- Preventing Catastrophic Failures: FFS assessments assess the structural integrity of components or structures, identifying critical flaws, cracks, or defects that could lead to catastrophic failures. By identifying and addressing these issues, FFS can prevent accidents, injuries, or damage to property, avoiding potential legal liabilities and associated costs.
- Optimal Repair and Replacement Strategies: FFS provides valuable insights into the severity of identified flaws or damages. It helps determine the appropriate repair methods, repair intervals, or replacement strategies, optimizing maintenance budgets and avoiding unnecessary expenditures.
- Compliance with Regulatory Standards: FFS assessments ensure compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulations specific to the industry or jurisdiction. By meeting regulatory requirements, organizations can avoid penalties, fines, or legal actions that may arise due to non-compliance.
- Insurance Premium Reduction: Demonstrating a robust FFS program and proactive maintenance practices can lead to reduced insurance premiums. Insurance companies often consider the risk management practices employed by the insured, and a well-executed FFS program can help negotiate lower insurance costs.
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Applications for Fitness-for-Service:
- Fracture Mechanics & Crack Propagation
- Fatigue Life and Cyclical Loading
- Failure Analysis (e.g. failure by buckling, plastic collapse etc.)
- Bulges, Dents, and Gouges
- Cold Brittle Fracture
- Reactor Vessel Shell Integrity
- Reactor Start-up & Shutdown Procedure Optimization
- Piping Header Supports
- Tank Stability and Ductile Tearing
- Pressure Vessel Local Wall Thinning
- Linear and Non-linear structural analysis
- LNG vacuum jacketing vessel and pump nozzle loading
- Pressure Vessel Nozzle Loading
- Compressor Shaft Fretting and Fatigue
- Pressure Vessel Creep and Fatigue
- Impact Wear Analysis
- Reactor Wall Thermal Quenching
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Fitness-For-Service Litigation Savings
Fitness-for-Service (FFS) assessments play a significant role in reducing the cost of litigation by providing thorough evaluations of equipment or structures. Here’s how FFS can help mitigate legal expenses:
- Preventing Accidents and Failures: FFS assessments identify structural flaws, defects, or damages that could lead to accidents, failures, or catastrophic incidents. By detecting these issues early on, proactive measures can be taken to repair or replace the equipment or structure, reducing the risk of accidents and associated litigation costs.
- Compliance with Safety Standards: FFS evaluations ensure that equipment or structures comply with relevant safety codes, standards, and regulations. By demonstrating adherence to these requirements, organizations can mitigate legal liabilities and potential litigation resulting from non-compliance.
- Objective Condition Assessments: FFS assessments provide objective evaluations of the condition and integrity of equipment or structures. This documentation can serve as evidence in legal proceedings, helping to support the organization’s position and potentially reducing the duration and costs of litigation.
- Risk Mitigation and Due Diligence: FFS assessments demonstrate that an organization has taken necessary steps to assess and mitigate risks associated with their equipment or structures. This proactive approach can strengthen the organization’s position in legal disputes, potentially leading to quicker resolutions and reduced litigation costs.
- Expert Opinions and Testimony: FFS assessments often involve the expertise of engineers and specialists who can provide professional opinions and expert testimony in legal proceedings. Their knowledge and expertise can significantly influence the outcome of litigation, potentially leading to favorable resolutions or reduced legal expenses.
- Extended Equipment Life and Cost Savings: FFS assessments evaluate the remaining life and suitability for continued operation of equipment or structures. By extending the service life through appropriate repairs or modifications, organizations can avoid premature replacement costs and potential disputes with suppliers or manufacturers.
Overall, Fitness-for-Service assessments help organizations proactively address potential issues, ensure compliance with safety standards, and provide objective evidence in legal proceedings. By mitigating risks, demonstrating due diligence, and having access to expert opinions, FFS can significantly reduce the likelihood and cost of litigation related to equipment or structural failures.
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Example: FFS on Heavy-Duty Trucks to Provide Millions in Annual Savings
A previous study performed by Zachry involving heavy-duty mining truck frames exemplifies the utility of FFS assessments. Our client wanted to extend the service life of a heavy-duty mining truck frame, as costly expenses accrued over the course of a calendar year for maintenance purposes (estimated at $82 million/year).
Zachry’s Team of Engineers Solution Involved:
- Combined approach of fatigue assessment (ASME Section VIII-2) and brittle fracture assessment (API 579-1 Part 9) methodologies.
- 3D laser scan of the truck frame and FEA of a 285 ton truck with a 400 ton bucket load. Various operating scenarios such as loading, unloading and turning while fully loaded were considered.
- Calculations of stress ranges and allowable cycles to determine the conditions that caused the most fatigue damage and the limiting crack size before brittle fracture failure.
Zachry’s Engineering Results Included:
- Extended service life by recommending new ore payloads. New guidelines for maximum acceptable crack depth for longer service time between repairs were also provided.
- Recommendations to reduce severity and occurrence of future cracks with NDE inspection and post-weld heat treatment were provided.
- Savings of up to $82 million for our client.
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Fitness-For-Service Summary:
Fitness-For-Service (FFS) is an assessment method used to evaluate the structural integrity of components and determine their safety for continued operation. These assessments can range from basic visual inspections to advanced finite element analysis simulations. FFS assessments offer several benefits, including extending the service life of equipment, avoiding unplanned downtime, preventing catastrophic failures, optimizing repair and replacement strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and reducing insurance premiums. FFS has various applications, such as fracture mechanics, fatigue life analysis, failure analysis, and reactor vessel integrity. As well, FFS can offer huge savings in litigation expenses by preventing accidents & failures, ensure compliance with safety standards, condition assessments, risk mitigation & due diligence, expert opinions, and extended equipment life. Overall, FFS assessments provide a comprehensive evaluation of structural integrity, helping organizations save costs, prevent failures, and optimize maintenance strategies.