DPLI Screening key terms

A closed container designed to hold liquids or gases at a pressure different from ambient, built and stamped to a recognized construction code and subject to periodic inspection over its service life.

The highest internal pressure a vessel or system is permitted to operate at under its design conditions, established by the designer and confirmed by code calculations and testing.

An automatic device that opens at a preset pressure to discharge fluid and protect equipment from overpressure, then recloses as pressure falls back below the set point.

The inlet pressure at which a relief device is adjusted to begin opening, recorded on the device tag and verified during bench or in-place testing.

A pressure test using water or another liquid to verify strength and leak tightness, typically held at a specified multiple of design pressure for a defined time while surfaces are examined.

A pressure test using air or gas, requiring greater exclusion zones and stored-energy controls than liquid testing because a failure releases far more energy and can fragment the test item.

Inspection methods such as radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, and visual testing that reveal surface or internal flaws without damaging the component being examined.

A technique using high-frequency sound pulses to measure remaining wall thickness from one accessible surface, commonly applied to piping and tanks subject to corrosion or erosion.

Extra wall thickness built into a component beyond that needed for structural strength, intended to be consumed by expected corrosion before the item reaches its retirement limit.

A structured evaluation of current condition, measured thickness, operating history, and corrosion rate to estimate how long a component can safely stay in service before repair or replacement.

A documented engineering judgment that a component containing a known flaw or wall loss is still safe to operate under defined conditions, often with monitoring or reduced limits.

Direct or aided observation of equipment for leaks, cracks, corrosion, misalignment, missing guards, or housekeeping problems, forming the first line of most inspection programs.

Comparing an instrument's reading against a traceable reference and adjusting it as needed, with results recorded so the instrument's accuracy can be demonstrated at any time.

A record identifying the instrument tested, the reference standard used, environmental conditions, before-and-after readings, the technician, and the date of the calibration.

The documented chain linking a measurement or test result back to a national or international standard through an unbroken series of calibrations.

A procedure for isolating hazardous energy sources and attaching locks and tags so equipment cannot be re-energized or started while inspection, maintenance, or repair work is underway.

A formal written authorization that defines the scope, hazards, precautions, and responsible persons for a specific high-risk task before work begins.

Entering an enclosed or partially enclosed area with limited access and poor ventilation, requiring atmospheric testing, an attendant, rescue arrangements, and an entry permit.

Measuring oxygen content, flammable gases, and toxic gases in a space before and during entry to confirm conditions are safe and remain safe for workers.

A step-by-step breakdown of a task that identifies hazards at each step and states the controls needed to reduce risk before the job starts.

The systematic process of recognizing conditions, actions, or materials that could cause harm, so that controls can be selected and applied before an incident occurs.

A structured evaluation of the likelihood and severity of harm from identified hazards, used to rank risks and decide which controls are appropriate.

The preferred order of risk reduction: eliminate the hazard, substitute something safer, use engineering controls, then administrative controls, with personal protective equipment last.

Wearable gear such as helmets, gloves, eye protection, and respirators that reduces exposure to hazards but does not remove the hazard itself.

A controlled process for reviewing and approving modifications to equipment, processes, or procedures before implementation, ensuring hazards and documentation are updated.

A check performed before new or modified equipment is placed in service to confirm construction matches design, procedures are in place, and training is complete.

A document listing the inspections and tests required for an item, the acceptance criteria, who performs and witnesses each activity, and the records to be produced.

A stage in an inspection and test plan where work cannot continue until a designated party has performed the required inspection and recorded approval.

A stage in an inspection and test plan that a designated party is notified of and may observe, but which does not stop work if that party does not attend.

A completed document capturing what was inspected, when, by whom, the method and criteria used, the results found, and any corrective action taken.

A record describing a failure to meet a specified requirement, the evidence found, the immediate containment, and the disposition or corrective action agreed.

Steps taken to remove the cause of a detected problem so it does not recur, as distinct from simply repairing or reworking the affected item.

A method for tracing a failure or nonconformance back to its underlying cause rather than its immediate symptom, so that effective corrective action can be chosen.

A drawing updated to show the actual installed configuration of equipment, piping, and components after construction or modification, including field changes.

A controlled list of equipment items with unique identifiers, design data, location, and inspection status, used to plan and track inspection activity.

The maximum time allowed between inspections of a given item, set by code, risk, condition, and service history, and tracked so no item runs overdue.

A set of principles governing professional behavior, including honesty, competence, confidentiality, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and protection of public safety.

A situation where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence professional judgment, requiring disclosure and often removal from the affected decision.

The condition in which an inspector or reviewer has no reporting, financial, or personal tie to the work being judged that could compromise an objective conclusion.

Entering, altering, or signing data that does not reflect what was actually observed or performed, a serious integrity breach that can invalidate inspections and endanger the public.