A New Step Forward in Fit-for-Service Assessment of FRP Equipment
Assessing FRP equipment in service has been a grey area. That may be changing. Fitness-for-service assessments are a well-known part of integrity management when it comes to metallic equipment. When it comes to fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) assets, the situation has traditionally been less straightforward.
That may be starting to change. Recent developments within the API 579-1 / ASME FFS-1 framework point toward a more structured approach to evaluating FRP equipment in service. In this post, we take a closer look at why this matters and what it could mean for the composite industry going forward.
A New Step Forward in Fit-for-Service Assessment of FRP Equipment
As part of the global glass-fiber-reinforced polymer community, we continuously follow developments that improve how composite equipment is designed, evaluated and maintained throughout its service life.
One important development worth highlighting is the ongoing work on API 579-1 / ASME FFS-1 Part 16, a new section of the well-known Fitness-for-Service standard that focuses specifically on Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) equipment.
Why is this important?
Until now, fitness-for-service assessments have been largely centered around metallic equipment. While FRP materials are widely used in corrosive and demanding environments, the industry has lacked a unified and widely accepted framework for assessing their condition after years of operation.
Part 16 aims to address this gap by introducing structured assessment principles tailored to composite materials. This is a significant milestone for asset owners, engineers and inspectors working with FRP tanks, pipes and vessels.
What does this mean for the composite industry?
The development of Part 16 reflects a growing recognition of FRP as a critical engineering material, not just in design, but also in long-term integrity management. Standardized assessment methods will support better decision-making, improved safety and more efficient lifecycle management of composite equipment.
We see this as a positive step toward strengthening best practices and knowledge sharing across the composite industry.
Learn more
For a closer look at the background, scope and intent of API 579-1 / ASME FFS-1 Part 16, we recommend reading the full article published by UTComp: