As one senior integrity engineer put it: "ISO standards tell you the language. API specs tell you the grammar. EEMUA tells you how to write a good novel." In an era of aging infrastructure, tight budgets, and relentless safety expectations, that novel-writing guide is more valuable than ever.
1. Introduction and Overview EEMUA (pronounced ee-moo-ah) is an international, membership-based, non-profit association headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Its full name is the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association . Unlike many standards-developing organizations that are driven by manufacturers or regulators, EEMUA is unique in that it is driven by the end-users of industrial assets.
A terminal operator had 50 tanks built in the 1960s. Using EEMUA 159, they moved from a calendar-based inspection (every 10 years) to a risk-based inspection plan. Tanks with good corrosion records had intervals extended to 20 years; high-risk tanks received advanced NDT. The operator saved $2M in unnecessary inspections while improving safety on high-risk tanks.
Founded in the early 20th century (originally as the AIChemE in 1938 before evolving through mergers), EEMUA’s primary mission is to help owners and operators of industrial plant and infrastructure achieve . Its members are typically major operating companies in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, and mining.