Question about pressure vessel inspection frequency

Honestly, I was talking to a retired inspector at the union hall last Thursday. He said he's seen more issues from over-inspection and unnecessary shutdowns than from sticking to the proper schedule. He told me, 'You can shake a vessel to death looking for problems that aren't there.' Ngl, that hit different because I've always been super cautious and pushed for extra checks. Has anyone else had an old-timer change their mind on maintenance routines?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark_hayes16d ago

Ever notice how the most expensive problems start with someone trying to be helpful? We had a boiler taken offline for a "quick look" that turned into a three week flange rebuild because a new guy saw a paint bubble. The old man might be onto something.

jenkins.reese14d ago

My uncle worked at a power plant and said they had a rule: if it ain't leaking or on fire, don't touch it until the planned shutdown. That "quick look" trap is real.

cameronjenkins16d ago

Tbh, that's not a paint bubble, that's a leak starting.