Mechanical Integrity, Reliability & Inspection
Strengthen Equipment Integrity and Operational Reliability
Equipment failures affect safety, production, product quality, and operating costs. Effective mechanical integrity and reliability programs help facilities understand equipment condition, identify developing problems, and make informed decisions about inspection, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Appalachian EHS combines API 570 piping inspection with mechanical engineering, maintenance, and reliability experience. We help clients evaluate equipment condition, investigate recurring failures, and translate technical findings into practical actions that support safe, dependable operations.
API 570 Piping Inspection
We provide API 570 piping inspections, inspection planning, piping condition assessments, and engineering evaluation of inspection findings.
Each engagement begins by defining the piping systems, available records, inspection objectives, and required field activities. Inspection scope is tailored to the equipment, service conditions, operating history, and applicable requirements. Findings are documented with clear recommendations for corrective action, additional examination, or further engineering evaluation.
How We Help
Piping Inspections & Condition Assessments
Evaluate in-service piping within the agreed inspection scope, document observed conditions, and identify findings requiring further evaluation or corrective action.
Inspection Planning & Records Review
Review available piping information, service history, previous inspection results, and maintenance records to identify information gaps and support inspection planning.
Engineering Evaluation of Findings
Assess the significance of inspection findings and develop recommendations for additional examination, repair, maintenance, or further engineering analysis.
Mechanical Integrity Program Support
Develop and improve equipment registers, inspection procedures, documentation practices, responsibilities, and action-tracking processes.
Maintenance & Repair Prioritization
Translate inspection findings into defined actions, with priorities based on equipment condition, service demands, and potential consequences of failure.
PSM & Reliability Integration
Connect inspection findings and corrective actions with mechanical integrity, management of change, maintenance planning, and operating procedures, as applicable.
Mechanical Reliability & Maintenance Improvement
Mechanical integrity and reliability are closely connected. Equipment must remain suitable for service while consistently performing its intended function. Appalachian EHS helps facilities address both through engineering evaluation, failure analysis, and practical maintenance improvements.
Our approach considers operating conditions, equipment history, maintainability, and the consequences of failure. We help clients identify underlying causes of recurring problems and use inspection and condition information to guide decisions.
Root Cause Failure Analysis
Investigate recurring equipment failures and evaluate contributing factors involving operating conditions, equipment selection, installation, lubrication, maintenance practices, and service demands. Develop recommendations that address the causes of failure and reduce recurrence.
Equipment Criticality & Maintenance Prioritization
Help facilities prioritize equipment based on the consequences of failure, including safety, environmental impact, production disruption, quality, and repair cost. Use those priorities to focus inspection and maintenance resources.
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Review
Evaluate maintenance tasks, frequencies, and condition-monitoring practices against equipment needs and failure history. Identify gaps, ineffective activities, and opportunities for earlier detection of deterioration.
Condition Monitoring & Equipment Health
Review available vibration, lubrication, thermography, inspection, and operating data to identify developing concerns and determine where additional evaluation is needed.
Repair, Replacement & Reliability Improvements
Support equipment repair, replacement, and modification decisions by considering condition, recurring failure patterns, service suitability, maintainability, and lifecycle cost.
Reliability Tracking & Follow-Through
Help establish practical measures for recurring failures, unplanned downtime, maintenance backlog, and corrective action effectiveness. Connect findings with assigned responsibilities and verification that improvements are working.
Our Approach
Define the Scope
Identify the equipment and systems to be evaluated, review available information, and establish inspection boundaries, reliability objectives, access needs, and deliverables.
Plan and Perform the Work
Conduct agreed inspection and evaluation activities. Identify any additional examination, testing, or specialist support needed to understand equipment condition and performance.
Evaluate and Report
Document inspection coverage, findings, limitations, and recommended next steps. Distinguish observed conditions from matters requiring additional information or analysis.
Support Follow-Through
Help your team prioritize findings, assign corrective actions, and incorporate results into ongoing maintenance, mechanical integrity, and reliability programs.
What Clients Receive
Depending on the engagement, deliverables may include:
Inspection reports and photographic documentation.
Findings linked to equipment or piping identifiers.
Engineering evaluations and repair recommendations.
Root cause failure analysis reports.
Equipment criticality assessments and maintenance recommendations.
Recommendations for additional inspection, condition monitoring, or testing.
Prioritized corrective action lists.
Inspection-record and mechanical integrity program improvements.
Reliability measures and follow-up recommendations.
Required nondestructive examination, testing, specialist services, and engineering deliverables are identified during scope development.
Work With Kenneth
Mechanical integrity, piping inspection, and reliability engagements are led by Kenneth Tomblin, PE, Principal Engineer in Responsible Charge and an API 570 Certified Piping Inspector. Kenneth brings more than 20 years of experience across natural gas operations, petrochemical manufacturing, mining, industrial maintenance, and capital projects.
His background combines mechanical engineering with hands-on maintenance and field leadership, supported by a master’s degree in Maintainability and Reliability. His experience includes piping and pressure equipment, rotating equipment, condition monitoring, lubrication, and root cause failure analysis.
Kenneth helps clients connect inspection findings with engineering judgment and practical maintenance decisions to strengthen equipment integrity and operational reliability.
Discuss Your Inspection & Reliability Needs
Tell us about your equipment, inspection history, recurring failures, operating concerns, and project schedule. We will help define the inspection, engineering, and reliability support needed for your facility.