Upon Further Inspection welcomes Mark Bell back to the podcast with Part 2 of our discussion where he shares stories and insights from his decades of inspection and mechanical integrity experience.  As a member of the API/AFPM site assessment program, he has performed assessments and PSM audits across many companies. He highlights gaps he sees in smaller facilities: limited adoption of CCDs, IOWs, and effective RBI/IDMS use, often letting budgets drive wrong inspection techniques (e.g., spot UT instead of needed radiography). He recounts a 1988 explosion and other cases to stress how localized corrosion and unknown damage mechanisms can have catastrophic consequences, and argues for proactive corrosion engineers, field presence, mentoring, and a culture that rewards conservative shutdown decisions. He cautions that AI/RBI are only as good as their inputs and ownership. Listen now for practical, experience-based guidance on improving mechanical integrity and preventing repeat failures.

If you missed part 1 “From Boilermaker to Expert”, please listen here.

00:39 Why Sites Must Share

01:09 Joining API APM Audits

04:44 Assessment Takeaways

05:41 Lessons from Site Explosion

10:04 Modern Tools CCD IOW

12:03 Mentors Who Shaped Me

16:31 Building A Strong Program

18:43 Budget Versus Right NDE

25:13 Spot UT Limits and Future

29:51 Corrosion Monitoring Debate

31:02 Credible Damage Mechanisms

33:02 CCDs Into Inspection Plans

34:29 Culture and Recognition

37:05 Hard Calls on Leaks

41:33 Field Communication Matters

43:11 AI Needs Good Data

45:09 RBI Garbage In, Garbage Out

49:31 RBI Horror Stories

52:24 Ownership Over Tools

Episode Acronyms & Abbreviations

AP – American Petroleum Industry

AFPM – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

CCDs – Corrosion Control Documents

CMLs – Corrosion Monitoring Locations

DMRs – Damage Mechanism Reviews

IDMS – Inspection Data Management Systems

IOWs – Integrity Operating Windows

MOC – Management of Change

PSM – Process Safety Management

RBI – Risk-based Inspection

RT – Radiographic Testing

UT – Ultrasonic Testing

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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.