ABS issues new condition monitoring guidance

APRIL 25, 2016 — Clasification society ABS has published two documents to help industry with condition monitoring.

The new ABS Guidance Notes on Condition Monitoring Techniques help owners choose appropriate monitoring techniques, while the ABS Guide for Surveys Based on Machinery Reliability and Maintenance Techniques provides updated methodologies for achieving classification notations applied to machinery reliability and maintenance management programs.

“There have been significant advances in condition monitoring software and diagnostic technologies that have the potential to improve operational efficiency and enhance overall safety,” says Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. “These changes are reflected in these newly released documents.”

The Guidance Notes include a summary of condition-monitoring techniques, guidance for selecting the appropriate technique based on expectations and needs, information on measurement frequency, personnel skill requirements, company resources, and approaches to risk assessment.

The Guide explains the process and requirements for ABS review of design submittals and explains how designs and maintenance plans throughout lifecycle stages of the asset are analyzed.

ABS says that condition monitoring can reduce the amount of time equipment is out of service for survey activities and can help predict equipment failures, which results in less downtime for service and repair. Applying the guidance provided in these documents can lead to better system selection and streamline the classification process.