About Our API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course

Time Training Center’s 5-day, 30-hour API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters course equips you with a structured, in-depth understanding of inspection, assessment, and maintenance requirements for fired boilers and process heaters, in accordance with API Recommended Practice 573. These critical assets in petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants require safe, efficient, and reliable operation to minimize downtime and prevent catastrophic failures.

The course emphasizes effective inspection strategies—both during unit operation (on-stream) and outages (off-stream)—to collect meaningful data that supports accurate evaluation of equipment condition and prediction of future performance. Participants will learn to assess deterioration mechanisms, interpret inspection findings, and plan corrective actions using industry best practices.

Covering heater and boiler configurations, corrosion and metallurgy, inspection frequencies, safety precautions, inspection techniques, failure analysis, and repair recommendations, the course also highlights the integration of inspection results with mechanical integrity and reliability programs.

Through practical applications, real-world scenarios, and case studies, participants gain the knowledge required for safe operation, improved performance, and compliance with API 573 and related standards. This course is ideal for professionals involved in the design, operation, maintenance, or inspection of boilers and heaters in high-risk industrial environments.**

API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the scope, structure, and requirements of API RP 573 for the inspection of fired boilers and heaters
• Identify common types of fired heaters and boilers used in refineries and petrochemical plants and understand their operating characteristics
• Recognize key deterioration and failure mechanisms affecting tubes, headers, drums, and auxiliary components
• Apply appropriate inspection intervals and determine timing based on operating conditions and historical data
• Execute safe and effective on-stream and outage inspections using a variety of visual and non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques
• Analyze thickness, deformation, cracking, carburization, corrosion, and mechanical damage to assess asset condition
• Use inspection data to evaluate tube reliability, including minimum thickness calculations, creep rupture life, and failure probabilities
• Inspect and evaluate the integrity of foundations, refractory linings, structural components, and stack systems
• Recommend suitable repair methods and perform materials verification to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards

Who Should Attend Our API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course?

This course is highly beneficial for professionals involved in equipment integrity, inspection, or maintenance of fired equipment in refinery and petrochemical environments, including:

• Designers
• Inspection Engineers
• Maintenance Engineers
• Plant Inspectors
• Mechanical Engineers
• Process Engineers

API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course Training Methodology

We employ a comprehensive and applied learning strategy, integrating theory with real-world implementation:

• 30% Conceptual Learning: Expert-led sessions on catalytic theory and engineering principles
• 20% Interactive Workshops: Group exercises, presentations, and technical discussion forums
• 30% Case-Based Learning: Industry-specific examples and troubleshooting scenarios
• 20% Technology Integration: Digital tools, simulations, and catalyst modeling applications

Note: Instructors may adjust the training approach to fit technical requirements or participant engagement levels.

API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course Instructor

Our courses are delivered by highly qualified instructors with extensive experience in both industry and academia. With decades of hands-on expertise across a wide range of technical disciplines, our instructors are dedicated to providing high-quality, impactful training that equips participants with practical knowledge and skills they can immediately apply. Full instructor profiles are available upon request.

API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course Fees

The course fee includes the following:

• Course Materials: Comprehensive participant materials, including lecture notes, slides, and case study documents. (Tablet or IPAD)
• Coffee/Tea: Provided on arrival and during morning and afternoon breaks to keep participants refreshed.
• Buffet Lunch: Served daily to ensure participants have an opportunity to network and recharge during lunch breaks.

API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Fired Equipment and Inspection Standards

• Pre-test assessment of existing knowledge
• Introduction to API RP 573 and its application
• Overview of fired boilers and process heaters in industry
• Terminology, definitions, and compliance requirements
• Corrosion fundamentals and metallurgical considerations

Module 2: Fired Heater and Boiler Configurations

• Common heater designs (cylindrical, cabin, box-type, etc.)
• Types of industrial boilers
• Operating variables and critical components
• Basic thermodynamic and mechanical function overview

Module 3: Inspection Principles and Mechanical Reliability

• Purpose of inspection and mechanical integrity programs
• Inspector qualifications and certification guidelines
• Reliability-centered maintenance and risk-based inspection
• Safety considerations during inspection

Module 4: Deterioration Mechanisms in Fired Equipment

• Heater tube deterioration (oxidation, sulfidation, carburization)
• Boiler tube degradation (corrosion, scaling, cracking)
• Other component failure modes (headers, drums, tubesheets)
• Case studies of common failure scenarios

Module 5: Inspection Frequency and Timing

• General considerations for scheduling inspections
• API-recommended inspection intervals for boilers and heaters
• Influencing factors: age, materials, service conditions, history

Module 6: Safety and Preparation for Inspection

• Safety protocols and confined space entry
• Preparatory work prior to inspection
• Cleaning methods (chemical, mechanical, steam)
• Preventing stress corrosion cracking in stainless steel tubes

Module 7: Outage Inspection Techniques

• Visual inspection of internal surfaces and heater coils
• Wall thickness, tube diameter, sag, bow, and pit depth measurements
• Use of intelligent pigs, videoprobes, and borescopes
• Radiographic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, and hardness testing
• In-situ metallography and destructive testing of tube samples
• Inspection of reformer tubes and auxiliary equipment

Module 8: Boiler Outage Inspection Techniques

• Internal inspection of drums, headers, superheater elements, and tubing
• Steam-side vs fire-side deterioration modes
• Inspection checklists and documentation requirements

Module 9: On-Stream Inspection and Reliability Monitoring

• External inspections and condition monitoring during operation
• Pre-shutdown evaluations and defect tracking
• External tube cleaning and thermography
• Tubeskin thermocouple assessments

Module 10: Tube Reliability and Life Assessment

• Minimum wall thickness calculations
• Stress rupture and creep life estimation
• Failure probability and risk ranking
• Fitness-for-service screening and recommendations

Module 11: Structural Integrity of Foundations and Settings

• Inspection of foundations, supports, and structural frames
• Refractory linings, insulation, and casing integrity
• Tube supports and stack conditions
• Visual inspection of dampers, burners, and auxiliary parts

Module 12: Repair Methods and Materials Verification

• In-service repair techniques for heaters and boilers
• Weld repairs and temporary/permanent solutions
• Verification of material compatibility and documentation
• Alignment with API 579, API 576, and applicable codes

Module 13: Capstone and Assessment

• Review of Core Topics and Key Learnings
• Final Group Discussion and Q&A
• Post-Test Evaluation
• Certificate Presentation

Course Completion Certificate

Upon successfully completing the API 573 Inspection of Fired Boilers & Heaters Course at Time Training Center, participants will receive an official Course Completion Certificate. This certificate recognizes their knowledge of API 573 standards and their ability to perform inspections, evaluate equipment integrity, and ensure compliance with industry safety and maintenance practices.