Study Sheets

Based on API 653 Exam Information

The following is a collection of questions remembered by various students who took the API 653
Exam in the past.
This study sheet is designed to help a student prepare for the API 653 Exam. Read each
question carefully and select the best answer by circling your choice. After selection of your
answer, write in the section number and publication in which your answer was found. Look up each
question in the reference publications listed below; remember, this exercise is to help you to learn
to use the reference material. Generally, the assignment is broken into several sections. Each
section should take approximately one hour to complete. Answers will be discussed at the
beginning of class the following morning.
The answers will be found in the following reference publications:
API 650, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, Tenth Edition, November, 1998, including
Addendum 1 (January, 2000), Addendum 2 (November, 2001), and Addendum 3
(September, 2003).
API RP 651, Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks, Second
Edition, December, 1997
API RP 652, Lining of Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms, Second
Edition, December, 1997
API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, Third Edition,
December, 2001, including Addendum 1 (September, 2003).
API 2015, Safe Entry and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks, Sixth Edition, August, 2001.
API 2207, Preparing Tank Bottoms for Hot Work, Fifth Edition, September, 1998
API RP 575, Inspection of Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, First Edition,
November, 1995
ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, 2001 Edition, with 2002 and 2003 Addenda
Section V, Nondestructive Examination, Articles 1, 2, 6, 7 and 23 (Section SE-797
only)
Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 1
1. What is the minimum thickness for a tank floor plate with no means for leak detection
or secondary containment if an RBI program is not in place?
a. .005
b. .050
c. .075
d. .100
Section: Reference Publication:
2. Which one of the following types of external floating roofs does not require a check
valve in the roof drain?
a. Annular pontoon (single deck)
b. Double deck
c. Pan-type
d. Plastic sandwich-panel-sphere type floating roof
Section: Reference Publication:
3. Surface preparation is a critical part of the lining operation, generally abrasive blast to a white
metal finish of __________ is desired.
a. NACE No. 1/SSPC-SP5
b. NACE No. 2/SSPC-SP10
c. NACE No. 3/SSPC-SP15
d. NACE No. 4/SSPC-SP20
Section: Reference Publication:
4. When a full hydrostatic test is required, it shall be held for _____ hours.
a. 8
b. 12
c. 16
d. 24
Section: Reference Publication:
5. If any provision of API 653 presents a direct or implied conflict with any statutory
regulation and the statutory regulation is more stringent .
a. the government regulations govern
b. the API 653 standards govern
c. the owner/operator requirements govern
d. the inspector will decide which regulations govern
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 2
6. The maximum permissible limit for exposure to organic lead in a normal 8 hour work
day is .
a. 2 micrograms per cubic foot
b. 1 PPM in air
c. 0.075 pounds per cubic feet per day
d. .05 grams per cubic centimeter
Section: Reference Publication:
7. Radiographic film density shall be checked by a densitometer calibrated on a step
wedge film traceable to .
a. API 650
b. ASNT-SNT-TC-1A
c. ASME Section IX
d. a national standard
Section: Reference Publication:
8. A 200 diameter tank, 40 tall, storing a product with a specific gravity of .85. A
corroded area was noted with UT on the bottom course with a minimum thickness of .51 at
1 above the weld. No thinning was noted within 10 of any weld. What is the L length of
the corroded area?
a. not enough information to answer
b. 10.10
c. 37.37
d. 40
Section: Reference Publication:
9. A gummy carbonaceous substance, fouling service, is stored in a tank. Where would
problems most likely occur?
a. The floating suction
b. The operation of check valves
c. Around nozzles
d. On the floor
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 3
10. Routine visual in-service inspections of aboveground storage tanks from the ground
may be done by ?
a. authorized inspectors only
b. owner/user personnel other than authorized inspectors
c. jurisdictional inspectors only
d. insurance inspectors only
Section: Reference Publication:
11. An existing tank, 48 feet high with a diameter of 127 feet, is undergoing major
repairs. What is the maximum out-of-plumbness allowed?
a. 1.27
b. 4.8
c. 5.0
d. 5.76
Section: Reference Publication:
12. Which of the following is not considered shell distortion?
a. Uniform settlement of a tank
b. Out-of-roundness of a tank
c. Flat spots
d. Peaking and banding at weld joints
Section: Reference Publication:
13. A welder that qualifies on a plate groove weld can weld .
a. groove weld only
b. groove and fillet welds
c. fillet welds only
d. J welds only
Section: Reference Publication:
14. An 8 NPS hot tap is to be added to a tank. What is the minimum wall thickness of the
nozzle neck?
a. Schedule 40
b. Schedule 60
c. Standard weight
d. Extra-strong
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 4
15. A welder may be qualified by RT in any welding process except for which of the
following?
a. GMAW (short-circuiting mode)
b. GMAW (spray-arc mode)
c. GTAW
d. SMAW
Section: Reference Publication:
16. Which of the following repairs are allowed within the critical zone of a tank
bottom?
a. Welded-on patch plates over existing patches.
b. Welding of widely scattered pits, pinholes and cracks in the bottom plate.
c. Welded-on structural steel angles to the tank shell and the annular plate.
d. One pass perimeter welds on welded-on patch plates.
Section: Reference Publication:
17. What is the maximum spacing for MT prods?
a. 2
b. 4
c. 8
d. 10
Section: Reference Publication:
18. A formal visual external inspection by an Authorized Inspector shall be made at least
every ______ years or RCA/4N years, whichever is less.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
Section: Reference Publication:
19. During the inspection of an AST it is discovered that the ground wire connection has
come loose. How should the ground system be inspected?
a. Ignore it
b. Test the current using a volt ohm meter
c. PT or MT
d. Visually checked
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 5
20. The presence of rock under the steel bottom of an AST would have what effect?
a. Porosity in the bottom
b. Promote corrosion
c. Create longer tank bottom life
d. Have no effect on the tank bottom
Section: Reference Publication:
21. During a welder qualification test on 3/8 plate in the horizontal position, how many
transverse bends are required?
a. 6 side bends
b. 2 nick breaks
c. 1 face and 1 root bends
d. 4 tinsel specimens
Section: Reference Publication:
22. If a contractor is to relocate or reconstruct an aboveground storage tank, the limits of
responsibilities are defined by ?
a. API 653
b. the contractor
c. the authorized inspector
d. the owner/operator
Section: Reference Publication:
23. A new tank is to be hydrostatically tested. The tank is constructed from ASTM A 36M
steel. What allowable stress must be used to determine the maximum hydrostatic test
head for the tank.
a. 29,400 psi
b. 23,200 psi
c. 24,900 psi
d. 27,000 psi
Section: Reference Publication:
24. Where should the numbers be placed on a radiograph?
a. Under the film.
b. On the material being radiographed.
c. Under the material being radiographed.
d. On the film source pack.
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 6
25. A new tank is placed in service. In seven years, which of the following inspections
should have been made?
a. routine inspection
b. routine and external inspections
c. routine, external, visual and internal inspections
d. routine visual, formal visual (external) and UT inspections
Section: Reference Publication:
API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 7