The assessment involved a detailed review of the column's design, operating history, and inspection data. The team used API 579-1 to evaluate the severity of the corrosion damage and determine if the column could continue to operate safely.

A refinery in the United States had a critical distillation column that had been in service for over 20 years. The column was experiencing frequent leaks and had several areas of corrosion damage. The refinery's maintenance team was concerned about the column's integrity and decided to perform a fitness-for-service assessment using API 579-1.