In this episode of Upon Further Inspection, hosts Branden Stucky and Greg Alvarado discuss the evolution of mechanical integrity, exploring its transition from past practices to our current standards and regulations. They recount a couple historical failures (the Union Oil Lemont refinery explosion in 1984 and the Shell Norco explosion in 1988) that highlight the importance of developing stringent inspection codes. The discussion touches upon the role of standards, the shift from localized to holistic thinking, the integration of technology, and the critical importance of mentoring and the role of generalists in the industry.  The hosts conclude this episode with some advice for new engineers – be passionate about your work, seek to understand the link between data and wisdom, and ask guidance from experienced mentors.00:00 Introduction to Mechanical Integrity Podcast02:08 Historical Events Shaping Mechanical Integrity04:47 Evolution of Codes and Standards08:59 Understanding Recommended Practices vs. Standards12:28 Regulatory Bodies and Their Roles17:31 Boiler Inspections and Heat Treatment25:19 Technological Advancements in PMI28:06 Evolution of Mechanical Integrity Programs29:06 The Role of Generalists and Specialists33:12 Challenges in Implementing Predictive Models44:24 Advice for New Asset Integrity Engineers48:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts +++++++++++++Episode Acronyms & Abbreviations1910.119 - OSHA's process safety management of highly hazardous chemicalsANSI - American National Standards Institute (USA)API - American Petroleum Institute (USA)RP - recommended practiceASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (USA)ERP - enterprise resource planning softwareFEA - finite element analysisLNG - liquid natural gasNACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers (now called AMPP - the Association for Materials Protection & Performance, USA)NBIC - National Board Inspection Code (USA)OSHA - Occupational Health & Safety Administration (USA)P&IDs - piping and instrumentation diagramPMI - positive materials identificationRBI - risk-based inspection (API RP 581)SME - subject matter expertSend a text & tell us what you think!Thank you for listening to Upon Further Inspection! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. We’d love to hear from you—connect with us on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on the episode. Have ideas for future topics or guests? Email us at [email protected]. Join us next time, wherever you get your podcasts. Until then, stay safe and stay informed. Note: The views and opinions expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or the Upon Further Inspection podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own qualified advisors for guidance.

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