AS 3788:2024 Pressure Equipment Inspection: A Practical Guide for Australian Industry

Pressure equipment is designed to operate under demanding conditions, often for many years. However, even well-designed equipment can deteriorate during service.

Corrosion, erosion, cracking, fatigue, thermal cycling, wear and changes in operating conditions can all affect the integrity of pressure equipment.

This is why in-service inspection is an essential part of pressure equipment management.

AS 3788:2024 — Pressure Equipment, In-Service Inspection provides a framework for inspecting pressure equipment during its operating life and assessing whether equipment remains suitable for continued service.

For plant owners, operators, engineers, inspectors and maintenance teams, understanding the principles behind AS 3788:2024 can help create a more structured approach to pressure equipment integrity.

---

Pressure Equipment Safety Is a Lifecycle Process

Pressure equipment should not be considered safe simply because it passed its original manufacturing inspection.

Its condition can change throughout its operating life.

A typical lifecycle may look like this:

Design → Manufacture → Installation → Commissioning → Operation → Inspection → Assessment → Repair → Continued Operation

Each stage can influence the next.

For example, an equipment modification can change the way the pressure boundary behaves. A change in process fluid can increase corrosion. A higher operating temperature can influence material degradation.

Therefore, pressure equipment inspection should be considered part of a continuous lifecycle management process.

---

What Is the Purpose of AS 3788:2024?

The main purpose of AS 3788:2024 is to establish requirements and guidance for the in-service inspection of pressure equipment and associated equipment.

The standard is concerned with maintaining the integrity of equipment after it has entered service.

This can involve:

• Inspection planning
• Equipment condition assessment
• Inspection intervals
• Deterioration mechanisms
• Risk-based inspection
• Fitness-for-service assessment
• Repairs
• Modifications
• Alterations
• Re-rating
• Inspection responsibilities
• Inspection records

The overall objective is to support the safe and reliable continued operation of pressure equipment.

---