API 570- PIPING INSPECTOR PREPARATORY COURSE

(VOLUME- I)

Part- 2

GUIDELINES FOR CLEARING

API 570 CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
GUIDELINES FOR ACHEVING SUCCESS IN API 570 EXAMINATION

INTRODUCTION
API Individual Certification Programs are designed to promote self-regulation,
health and safety, improved inspection capabilities, and improved management
control and environmental performance. Certified inspectors are recognized as
working professionals who are fully knowledgeable of industry inspection
codes, and who are performing their jobs in accordance with those requirements.

API's Individual Certification Programs (ICP) are based on industry-developed

standards that are recognized and used with confidence worldwide. These
standards have also provided a uniform platform that serves as a model for
many state and government regulations. These API programs emphasize
professional credibility and process integrity and provide an essential
springboard for inspectors to make even more valuable contributions to the
safety and quality of industry operations.

This course provides the participants the guidelines and methodology of

carrying out inspection of “in-service” equipments. It also provides techniques
for the assessment of the wear and tear of the equipments as well as to measure
de-gradation and damages caused to the process equipments due to the process
conditions. It also helps the participant to successfully sit for the API-570 exam.
The majority of the classroom study will focus on the Body of Knowledge . The
goal, is to obtain a perfect score. Therefore please take your daily classroom
activity and assigned homework seriously. The material contained in this manual
is to be thoroughly studied and practiced prior to attending the course. The math
examples and practice problems are based on the types of questions given on the
API-570 exam. Through the use of these examples, you will be exposed to many
of the formulas used during the course.
The Examination
In order to take API 570 examination, you must possess one of the following
combinations of education and experience

 The API 570 certification examination has 150 multiple-choice questions.

Each question has four possible answers.
 A few of the multiple-choice questions will require you to perform a
calculation. You will need to perform the calculation and then pick the
correct answer.
  Each question is multiple choice questions with given 4 possible choices.
Only one is the correct choice.

The test is divided into two sections, a closed-book section and an open-book
section. The closed-book examination includes such questions which the
inspector is normally expected to know without referring the Codes, i.e., the
questions are “awareness level” questions. Whenever you find a very definitive
or quantitative statement in body of the Code, a closed book question may be
expected on it. Thus, the basic requirements of a code, specific “DO” and
“DON’T” statements, important quantified statements, important definitions and
well-known inspection principles will constitute such questions.

Where the student is required to refer to the diagrams or formulas or tables or

graphs and curves from the Codes, it will always be an “open-book” question.
Here the participant is expected not to remember the information but should
know where to find it in the body of the Code. No reference material of any kind
will be permitted during the closed book portion.

WEIGHTAGE OF MARKS

You have only a limited amount of time to study, so you need to invest your time
where you can get the MAXIMUM return! Approximately 50% of the test
questions are directly from API 570. So, that's your priority! For every hour spent
studying the other publications, spend 2 hours studying API 570.

There will be about 75 test questions directly from API 570 .This document is
about 40 pages, that averages almost 2 questions per page. The remaining 65
questions will come from the 600+ pages contained in the other documents.
That's only 1 question for every 10 pages.
 Following distribution scheme will help the participant to decide how much
time he should spend for each document during preparation.
Note: The weightage indicated is approximate and for guidance only.
A . API Publications:
API 570, Piping Inspection Code…………………………………….50 %
API RP 571, Damage Mechanisms……………………………………..5 %
API RP 574, Recommended practice. Inspection of Piping………..4 %
API RP 578, Material verification Program………………..…………..3 %
API RP 577, Welding Inspection and Metallurgy……………………3 %

B. ASME Publications:
Section V, Nondestructive Examination……………………………7 %
ASME B 31.1 Process piping code……………….………………….20 %
ASME B 16.5 Flanges and flanged fittings………………………….3%
Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications….………………..7 %