The American Petroleum Institute (API) has released newly revised standards to enhance hazard management practices within process plant buildings. The newest editions include API RP 752—Management of Hazards Associated with Process Plant Permanent Buildings, 4th edition; API RP 753—Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Portable Buildings, 2nd edition; and API RP 756—Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Tents, 2nd edition. These standards, developed to enhance operational resilience and safety in all oil and gas facilities, came into effect in June 2024.

These three API standards form the foundation of API’s Process Safety Site Assessment Program (PSSAP), a critical tool in evaluating facility siting to ensure excellent safety in the oil and gas industry. API is currently revising the PSSAP protocol to incorporate these new standards.

Facility siting involves evaluating occupied buildings to determine their potential exposure to explosions, fires, and toxic hazards. This assessment is mandatory for processes covered under Process Safety Management (PSM), as specified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR Part 1910.

Importance and Role of RP 752, RP 753, and RP 756

Within the oil and gas sector, RP 752, 753, and 756 are essential standards that serve distinct purposes:

  • API RP 752 focuses on risk management in permanent structures, specifically addressing new technologies for optimal placement to prevent hazardous releases, fires, and explosions.
  • API RP 753 covers the safety of light wood trailers and portable buildings, focusing on rigorous design and keeping them away from high-risk areas.
  • API RP 756 safeguards tents at refineries and petrochemical plants by distancing them from process areas and having a solid design and construction component to prevent fires, collapses from various weather conditions, and falling objects.

Combined, these standards increase protection for workers in various structural situations encountered within the oil and natural gas industry and indicate robust safety and operational integrity practices.

What’s new on RP 752, 753, and 756?

Effective June 2024, the recent update to API’s Facility Siting Standards introduces 62 new mandatory requirements. Key highlights of these requirements include:

  • Expanded sections addressing fire and toxic release hazards, along with new examples and explanatory language
  • Alignment of the toxic shelter approach with API RP 751, Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units
  • Incorporate guidance on treating portable buildings that are used as permanent structures.

Safety improvement in a fast oil and gas industry reinforces operational dependability and workers’ welfare under difficult conditions. Changes to previously recommended practices are driven by the need to improve safety, facilitate process efficiency, and keep up with new industry developments, particularly the need to revise inefficient or obsolete standards. The publication of such standards is a resounding proof of the continuous efforts made by API to enhance safety levels in the entire oil and natural gas sector and to meet new challenges.

Struggling with compliance? We’re here to help!

Saltegra Consulting LLC specializes in process safety and risk management consulting, offering efficient solutions to help facilities implement new PSM program requirements and PHAs. Our services include thorough assessments of current practices, the creation of comprehensive checklists, and tailored recommendations based on the latest industry standards. This ensures that oil and gas facilities can enhance compliance with API’s new regulations. Saltegra’s commitment to reliable and personalized solutions ensures facilities successfully navigate safety challenges and maintain compliance.

For further information on this update, please refer to the API Website.

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