If you are a user from an EEMUA member company, please log in and download your complimentary digital edition here.

EEMUA 250 supports users in managing defined-life repairs by offering guidance on when to shut down pressure equipment versus applying a temporary repair. It highlights risk-based decision-making, life cycle considerations, and strategies for maintenance and inspection, especially where existing industry guidance on repair duration, extension, or conversion is limited.

In the event of an actionable inspection finding, an in-service leak or in-service damage, users typically must decide on whether to install a defined life repair or shutdown and install a permanent repair. The purpose of this EEMUA publication is to provide an overview with respect to the life cycle management of defined-life repairs for pressure equipment. It provides guidance for users to consider when deciding if it is safer to shutdown and perform a permanent repair as well as providing key points to consider when selecting a defined-life repair, assessing the risks and when developing their maintenance, inspection, and replacement strategies post installation.

The primary function of a defined-life repair is to allow the system to return to or remain in service with limited interruption to production until a planned permanent repair can be installed. Although there is industry guidance available on the selection of defined-life repairs (e.g. ASME PCC-2, ISO 24817 and EI composite repair guidance), at the time of publication there was limited known industry guidance covering the life cycle management of defined-life repairs, for example:

  • How long can a defined-life repair remain in service?

  • How to extend the life of a defined-life repair?

  • How to make a defined-life repair permanent?

Each company’s organisational structure will vary in terms of maintenance, engineering, and inspection departments. As such, it is the responsibility of the user or pressure equipment owner to determine the strategy for defined-life repairs within their organisation. The strategy should be endorsed by the relevant technical authority for the company. This publication advises that a risk-based approach is adopted to allow flexibility in application of defined-life repairs to the relevant situations, to ensure correct prioritisation based on the overall repair life cycle, and to ensure that the selected defined-life repair does not adversely affect the safe operation of the system.

It is expected that the reader has a basic competency in static equipment design and as such the level of detail contained within this guidance document has been set appropriately. EEMUA 250 was developed by engineers who work in the power generation, chemical production, and oil and gas sectors. Although the use of this document was originally targeted for static pressure equipment, it is recognised that it may be applicable to a range of other industries – shipping, mining, steel, nuclear, water and wastewater, and food and beverages. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure specific details relating to their industry are considered when applying the guidance from this document.

Please note EEMUA Associates receive a 50% discount off the non-member price.