The POF analysis shall address what type of damage mechanisms to which the equipment being...

API 580, Section 9.1 states:

“The POF analysis shall address all credible damage mechanisms to which the equipment being reviewed is or can be susceptible.”

This confirms that the analysis focuses only on damage mechanisms that are realistically applicable to the equipment—i.e., credible mechanisms based on process, materials, and operating conditions—not every possible or theoretical mechanism.