_RP_2217A-2017.pdf

Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical IndustriesAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2217A FIFTH EDITION,JULY 2017Special NotesAPI publications necessarily address problems of a general nature.With respect to particular circumstances,local,state,and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,committees,or other assignees make any warranty or representation,either express or implied,with respect to the accuracy,completeness,or usefulness of the information contained herein,or assume any liability or responsibility for any use,or the results of such use,of any information or process disclosed in this publication.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.Users of this standard should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document.Sound business,scientific,engineering,and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers,manufacturers,or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees,and others exposed,concerning health and safety risks and precautions,nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to particular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer,the manufacturer or supplier of that material,or the material safety datasheet.Where applicable,authorities having jurisdiction should be consulted.Work sites and equipment operations may differ.Users are solely responsible for assessing their specific equipment and premises in determining the appropriateness of applying the standard.At all times users should employ sound business,scientific,engineering,and judgment safety when using this standard.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so.Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them;however,the Institute makes no representation,warranty,or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven,sound engineering and operating practices.These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized.The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.API does not represent,warrant,or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced,translated,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,without prior written permission from the publisher.Contact the Publisher,API Publishing Services,1220 L Street,NW,Washington,DC 20005.Copyright 2017 American Petroleum InstituteForewordBecause inert gas blanketing provides protection while introducing significant associated hazards,many facilities operate on the principle,“If inert entry is not necessary,use another method.”Where inert entry is conducted,this standard provides guidance to aid employers in preparing specific procedures for entering and working safely in inert confined spaces.API 2217A is intended to present good practices required by experienced owners and practiced by specialist service contractors.This standard recognizes that because of its unique nature,the hazards and requirements for inert entry are generally greater than for“normal”permit-required confined space(PRCS)entry.The emphasis is on safe entry work practices and equipment(such as multiple source respiratory protection)which are not necessarily addressed in confined space entry regulations.NOTE API 2217A is not a compliance document although a number of regulatory requirements are incorporated by reference.In the United States,OSHA regulations are available directly from the internet at www.osha.gov.Facilities outside the United States should review relevant legal requirements in their jurisdiction.In May 1971,API published Petroleum Safety Datasheet(PSD)2211,Precautions While Working in Reactors Having an Inert Atmosphere.In 1987,API Publication 2217A,Guidelines for Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum Industry,expanded on the 1971 safety datasheet.A Se