Before any repair or alteration work begins, who must authorize it?

Before any repair or alteration work begins, who must authorize it?

• A. The owner.
• B. The piping engineer.
• C. The contractor.
• D. The inspector.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that the authority to begin any repair or alteration rests with the asset’s owner or the owner’s designated representative. This person has the ultimate responsibility for safety, cost, and scheduling, and must approve the scope, method, and procedures before any field work starts. The inspector’s role is to ensure that the repair plan complies with API 570, that engineering and procurement requirements are met, and to witness and document the work after authorization has been granted. The piping engineer can design and technically approve the solution, while the contractor executes it, but none of them alone—not the engineer or contractor—should start work without the owner's explicit authorization. This sequence preserves accountability and ensures proper permit-to-work controls and recordkeeping.

The key idea is that the authority to begin any repair or alteration rests with the asset’s owner or the owner’s designated representative. This person has the ultimate responsibility for safety, cost, and scheduling, and must approve the scope, method, and procedures before any field work starts. The inspector’s role is to ensure that the repair plan complies with API 570, that engineering and procurement requirements are met, and to witness and document the work after authorization has been granted. The piping engineer can design and technically approve the solution, while the contractor executes it, but none of them alone—not the engineer or contractor—should start work without the owner's explicit authorization. This sequence preserves accountability and ensures proper permit-to-work controls and recordkeeping.