This is a unique feature of API 688. You cannot just analyze a healthy machine. You must also prove that if a damping element fails (e.g., a rubber coupling element hardens or cracks), the system will not instantly destroy itself.

Technical Report on API 688 (Pumps - Shaft Sealing Systems)

: The American Petroleum Institute provides free read-only access to certain standards incorporated by reference into federal regulations via their Reading Room.

The manager's reply was a ledger: lost barrels, contractual deadlines, and an impatient client on the phone. "We can't stop now," he said. "Patch it, monitor closely."