AGEING PLANT MANAGEMENT
By Ts . Mohammad Hezrie Bin Zainol Fairuz Anwar Bin Abdullah Petroleum Safety Division , Department of Safety and Health , Malaysia
FEATURE
Plants that are 15 years old and above are considered ageing plants
The concept of ‘ Plant Deterioration Management ’ or ‘ Ageing Plant Management ’ was introduced around 2006 by the Health and Safety Executive , UK to deal with accidents related to the process industry . Equipment or machinery is classified as ageing if there is a deterioration in integrity or there are signs of initial damage to the equipment from the time it is first installed . Ageing plant should be defined as a plant which is , or may be , no longer considered fully fit for purpose due to age related to deterioration in its integrity or functional performance . The emergence of process industries in Malaysia since the 1970s , followed by more activities in the 1980s and 1990s , have accumulated a substantial number of plants that are considered ageing , at least from the perspective of the length of service .
Plants in Malaysia that are 15 years old and above can be considered as ageing plants . An ageing plant will experience a deterioration in integrity . This deterioration , or obsolescence , if not monitored and managed properly , can lead to the failure of the operation of plant assets such as pressure containers , storage tanks , building structures , safety device equipment and plant control system operating equipment .
Systematic monitoring and assessment of asset integrity management is very important , not only to assure the safety of the plants in operation , but also the safety and health of workers and the safety of the surrounding public area , especially
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