FAQs
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Top 10 most Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What problem does it solve?
Tru-Fit was developed to help resolve industry issues around small bore tubing connector production losses, unplanned shutdowns, safety issues, fugitive emissions and lack of effective inspection methods for risk based inspection.
Tru-Fit has multiple sensors that determine if the connector has assembly faults. The handheld tool produces a QR code which is then scanned by the mobile app. The app then gives an instant grade of the connector assembly ranging from 1-5 with 5 being the most severe.
Energy Institute Guidelines and HSE require risk to be kept to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) with assembled connectors inspected for assembly faults and graded for risk. HSE ALARP good practice inspection requires a minimum 80% probability of detecting a defect (PoD).
Visual (46% PoD) and Gauging (30% PoD) inspection methods are incapable of accurately determining assembly faults. Tru-Fit (99% PoD) is the only method that complies with HSE and EI Guidelines ALARP. Critically, the EI Guidelines require that inspection methods used for risk based inspection (RBI) risk assessments consider threats to system operability and the probability of failure (PoF) at section 6.2.2.1 – a key factor in assessing the probability of failure is the probability of detection (PoD) of the inspection method. The most critical element of risk-based inspection is the identification of potential failure points. Knowledge of potential threats to integrity is vital to the success of the RBI approach. Inspection methods should be chosen that are capable of detecting the potential failure points.
Industry cost benefit analysis shows using Tru-Fit is 4x safer, 4x faster and 6x less cost than conventional Visual or Gauging methods.
EI Guidelines require connectors to be opened to further evaluate if an anomaly is detected. Industry figures from HSE and EI Guidelines show 75% of undertight connections identified by Visual or Gauging inspection methods that need to be opened to evaluate further are opened unnecessarily. Risk based inspection (RBI) as required by HSE requires the probability of failure to be considered by using an inspection method capable of detecting fitting assembly faults at a sufficiently early stage with sufficient reliability allowing probability of failure (loss of containment) of the fitting to be indicated before loss of containment occurs and fitness for service is threatened. Effective SBT management requires an accurate inspection method capable of determining hidden SBT connector assembly faults to allow accurate risk assessments to be performed.
Risk assessments are based on – Risk = Probability of failure (loss of containment) X Consequence
Probability of failure depends on the capability of the inspection method to detect faults before loss of containment failure occurs. Tru-Fit has a 99% probability of detection with Visual inspection at 46% and Gauging inspection at 30%. HSE good practice inspection requires at least 80%. Visual and Gauging are incapable of meeting HSE ALARP and risk based inspection requirements to provide accurate information for risk assessments for risk-based inspection.
Tru-Fit is non-invasive, highly accurate, allows risk based inspection to be performed and can grade connectors without opening with less time spent in hazardous areas and less time spent opening hydrocarbon joints which when opened and disturbed usually create more issues.
Tru-Fit, when used to avoid opening connectors for inspection, effectively acts as a substitution or elimination of that task reducing exposure to hazards associated with inspection itself, not just preventing failure.
Q6. What about other methods currently used like leak detection or x-ray?
Leak detection methods cannot detect assembly issues required by EI guidelines to be identified during routine inspections or classify the type and severity of the anomaly for the risk assessment. HSE good practice and EI Guidelines also require the anomaly to be graded for risk for effective SBT management and risk assessment using risk-based inspection. Leak detection methods only work when the connector is leaking, loss of containment has occurred and the risk is greater. The probability of failure of the connector (a critical step in risk-based inspection) cannot be estimated with leak detection methods as the failure has already occurred.
Tru-Fit is a preventative inspection method allowing assembly issues to be detected, assessed, scheduled and fixed if required before the leak occurs complying with risk based inspection requirements. Leak detection will often not be tolerable by HSE if used as a means of replacing inspection of the connectors for faults that could be detected and fixed before the leak occurs. Once a loss of containment has occurred the consequences then have to be assessed for hole size and ignition or pollution.
Workplace hazard controls are ranked in HSE Hierarchy of Controls from the most effective level of protection Level 1, to the least effective level of protection -Level 5. Tru-Fit is considered a level 2 control (replace a hazardous task of opening connectors with a safer alternative) while leak detection is a less effective level 4 control (detection routines after failure)
X-Ray inspection is time consuming, costly, requires a two-man team and areas to be evacuated. The large number of connectors alongside the associated costs and inability to accurately detect assembly issues renders x-ray ineffective.
Industry 4.0 is the integration of digitalisation, advanced inspection and data analysis allowing predictive maintenance and more effective risk analysis decisions. Industry 4.0 allows connections between suppliers, risk management software and maintenance management systems to streamline the process, reduce costs, increase safety and ensure minimum disruption to operations.
Q8. What does the training involve?
Training takes one day and can be online or onsite. Tru-Fit users are certified to use the equipment and system. Training is also available for Admin users who can access and download inspection data.
Q9. Can the system be used for new construction?
Yes – New construction can be monitored using the Tru-Fit system. Energy Institute guidelines require ALARP risk minimisation is embedded within the construction management process and is demonstrated on an on-going basis. Tru-Fit is the only inspection method for connector assembly issues that complies with ALARP for new construction and risk based inspection.
Q10. How do I lease the system?
Contact Paragon and we will advise if an agent represents your area. A system will be shipped with access to online training. Once the users are trained the system may then be used to inspect and automatically grade SBT connectors with results uploaded to our online system. Inspection results may be downloaded for further assessment or input into any other maintenance system etc. Once the lease period is completed the system is returned to Paragon.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Top 10 most Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What problem does it solve?
Tru-Fit was developed to help resolve industry issues around small bore tubing connector production losses, unplanned shutdowns, safety issues, fugitive emissions and lack of effective inspection methods.
Tru-Fit has multiple sensors that determine if the connector has assembly faults. The handheld tool produces a QR code which is then scanned by the mobile app. The app then gives an instant grade of the connector assembly ranging from 1-5 with 5 being the most severe.
Energy Institute Guidelines and HSE require risk to be kept to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) with assembled connectors inspected for assembly faults and graded for risk. HSE ALARP good practice inspection requires a minimum 80% probability of detecting a defect (PoD).
Visual (46% PoD) and Gauging (30% PoD) inspection methods are incapable of accurately determining assembly faults. Tru-Fit (99% PoD) is the only method that complies with HSE and EI Guidelines ALARP.
Many operators use DNV-RP-G101 as a key component of their risk based inspection standards. Risk based inspection focuses primarily on medium or high risk components. DNV-RP-G101 requires medium or high risk components to be inspected with a highly effective inspection method with the effect of Probability of Detection (PoD) considered. Tru-Fit has a 99% PoD and is considered a highly effective inspection method by DNV-RP-G101 capable of inspection all types of components including medium and high risk. Visual (46% PoD) and Gauging (30% PoD) are not considered effective by DNV-RP-G101 due to the low PoD in which case risk management methods other than risk based inspection should be considered.
Industry cost benefit analysis shows using Tru-Fit is 4x safer, 4x faster and 6x less cost than conventional Visual or Gauging methods.
EI Guidelines require connectors to be opened to further evaluate if an anomaly is detected. Industry figures from HSE and EI Guidelines show 75% of undertight connections identified by Visual or Gauging methods that need to be opened to evaluate further are opened unnecessarily. Effective SBT management requires an accurate inspection method capable of determining hidden SBT connector assembly faults to allow accurate risk assessments to be performed.
Risk = Probability of failure (loss of containment) X Consequence
Probability of failure depends on the capability of the inspection method to detect faults before loss of containment failure occurs. Tru-Fit has a 99% probability of detection with Visual at 46% and Gauging at 30%. HSE good practice inspection is at least 80%. Visual and Gauging are incapable of meeting HSE ALARP requirements and providing accurate information for risk assessments for risk based inspection.
Tru-Fit is non-invasive, highly accurate and can grade connectors without opening with less time spent in hazardous areas and less time spent opening hydrocarbon joints which when opened and disturbed usually create more issues.
Tru-Fit, when used to avoid opening connectors for inspection, effectively acts as a substitution or elimination of that task reducing exposure to hazards associated with inspection itself, not just preventing failure.
Q6. What about other methods currently used like leak detection or x-ray?
Leak detection methods cannot detect assembly issues required by EI guidelines to be identified during routine inspections or classify the type and severity of the anomaly for the risk assessment. HSE and DNV RP-G101 Risk Based Inspection also require the anomaly to be graded for risk for effective SBT management and risk assessment using risk based inspection. Leak detection methods only work when the connector is leaking, loss of containment has occurred and the risk is greater. The probability of failure of the connector (a critical step in risk based inspection) cannot be estimated with leak detection methods as the failure has already occurred. Tru-Fit is a preventative inspection method allowing assembly issues to be detected, assessed and scheduled and fixed if required before the leak occurs complying with risk based inspection requirements. Leak detection will often not be tolerable by HSE as a means of replacing inspection. Once a loss of containment has occurred the consequences then have to be assessed for hole size and ignition or pollution.
Workplace hazard controls are ranked in HSE Hierarchy of Controls from the most effective level of protection – Level 1, to the least effective level of protection -Level 5. Tru-Fit is considered a level 2 control (replace a hazardous task of opening connectors with a safer alternative) while leak detection is a less effective level 4 control (detection routines after failure).
X-Ray inspection is time consuming, costly, requires a two-man team and areas to be evacuated. The large number of connectors alongside the associated costs and inability to accurately detect assembly issues renders x-ray ineffective.
Industry 4.0 is the integration of digitalisation, advanced inspection and data analysis allowing predictive maintenance and more effective risk analysis decisions. Industry 4.0 allows connections between suppliers, risk management software and maintenance management systems to streamline the process, reduce costs, increase safety and ensure minimum disruption to operations.
Q8. What does the training involve?
Training takes one day and can be online or onsite. Tru-Fit users are certified to use the equipment and system. Training is also available for Admin users who can access and download inspection data.
Q9. Can the system be used for new construction?
Yes – New construction can be monitored using the Tru-Fit system. Energy Institute guidelines require ALARP risk minimisation is embedded within the construction management process and is demonstrated on an on-going basis. Tru-Fit is the only inspection method for connector assembly issues that complies with ALARP for new construction and risk based inspection.
Q10. How do I lease the system?
Contact Paragon and we will advise if an agent represents your area. A system will be shipped with access to online training. Once the users are trained the system may then be used to inspect and automatically grade SBT connectors with results uploaded to our online system. Inspection results may be downloaded for further assessment or input into any other maintenance system etc. Once the lease period is completed the system is returned to Paragon. bef