STORAGE TANK INSPECTION

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Storage Tank Articles
The links in this content guides you to the lots of articles about storage tanks. These articles
provide you invaluable information about following subjects:
Different kind of storage tanks
Inspection and Testing During Construction Phase
Inspection and Testing During operation Phase
Codes and Regulations
Operations
Maintenance and Repairs
Engineering and construction
These articles are useful for Construction Contractors Quality Control Technicians and
Engineers, Second Party and Third Party Inspectors;
Also Buyers and Sellers, Procurement and Purchasing staff, Engineering Companies, Plant
Inspectors, Integrity Engineers, Operation and Maintenance Engineers and any Other
Interested Individuals.

Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection; are you looking for information about above ground
storage tank inspection during construction process? Or you are look for In-service
inspection in operating plant?
This article covers shop, site and In-service inspection of above ground storage tank.







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How Above Ground Storage Tank
Inspection is done?
This article provides you basic information about above ground storage tank Inspection.
The content covers the shop inspection, field assembly and In-service Inspection in the
operating plants.
What is the Application of Storage Tank?
There are two kinds of storage tanks, the Atmospheric Storage Tank and Low Pressure
Storage tank.






The maximum pressure for vapor or gas space of atmospheric storage tank is 2.5 psi and
for low pressure storage tank is 15 psi.
If the pressure is more than 15 psi the liquid cannot be stored in in storage tank and it is
necessary to be stored in pressure vessel.
Atmospheric storage tanks are used for storing of Crude oil, heavy oils, gas oils, furnace
oils, naphtha, gasoline, non-volatile chemicals and etc.
Low pressure storage tank are used for storing of Light crude oil, some gasoline blending
stock, light naphtha, pentane, some volatile chemicals, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen and
etc.
The physical shape of both kinds of above stated storage tanks might be similar but the
construction code and design and inspection requirements are different.
What are the Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection Requirements in
manufacturer Shop and in Field Assembly Process?
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The construction code for atmospheric storage tank is API STD 650 and for low pressure
storage tank is API STD 620 and they cover the minimum requirements for design,
materials, fabrication, inspection and testing.
With above explanation your inspection and test plan (ITP) for storage tank construction
need to meet the requirements of either API STD 650 or API 620.
The storage tank inspection and test plan summarize all inspection requirements in several
pages and in tabular format.
The storage tank inspection and test plan is prepared in two sections, one for the supply,
cutting, rolling and beveling of storage tank plates in manufacturer shop and the other
section for construction activities in the field.




The prepared plates in the shop are transferred to the field for assembly. It is depend to the
client contract, sometimes there is only on contractor for shop and field activities and
sometimes there is two contractors one for shop and one for field assembly.






This table determines each parties responsibility i.e. construction contractor, third party
inspector and client.
Click here to see the draft of Storage Tank Inspection and Test Plan sheet.

What are the Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection Requirements in operating
plants?
The In-Service Inspection code for your atmospheric storage tank is API STD 653. The
content in this standard covers tank inspection, repair, alteration and reconstruction.
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It is necessary for you to use this standard with conjunction of API Recommended Practice
575 which its title is Guidelines and Methods for Inspection of Existing Atmospheric and
Low-pressure Storage Tanks.
As you see in the above, the API STD 653 addressed only for atmospheric storage tank but
API RP 575 covers both atmospheric and low pressure storage tank.







The API STD 653 designated for atmospheric above ground storage tank inspection which it
is built based API 650 but you may use this code for any steel tank with specific
consideration and operating details.
Some other recommendation practices which you need to take in account in your above
ground storage tank inspection are API RP 651 for tank bottom plates cathodic protection
system, API RP 652 for tank internal lining system, API RP 571 for damage mechanism, API
577 for welding inspection and metallurgy. Many of the design, welding, examination, and
material requirements of API 650 can be applied in the maintenance inspection, rating,
repair, and alteration of in-service tanks.
But if you found a conflict between the construction code API 650 and API 653, the
requirement of API 653 must govern as this standard specifically addressed for above
ground storage tank inspection for operating plants.
API 653 Above ground storage tank inspectors are qualified person for inspection of storage
tanks as they certified by API for such activities.

What are Important Points in the Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection in
shutdown?
For detail information you need to refer to API STD 653 and API RP 575
Internal Inspection-Shell Plate
1. Shell plate inspection for corrosion and deformation
2. Shell plate circumferential and longitudinal welding joints inspection for corrosion and
cracking
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3. Internal coating inspection (if any)







Internal Inspection- Bottom Plate
1. Thickness measurement and remaining life calculation on bottom plates and annular
plates
2. Bottom plates and annular plates inspection for corrosion and deformation
3. Bottom plates and annular plates welding joints inspection for corrosion and cracking
specifically the annular plate joints with first shell course plate
4. Sump inspection
5. Internal coating inspection (if any)
6. Inspection of sample plate which cut to find any external corrosion
7. Vacuum testing inspection and supervision






Internal Inspection-Fix Roof

1. Roof plate inspection for corrosion and deformation
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2. Roof Structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation
3. Roof plates and structure members welding joints inspection for corrosion and cracking
4. Internal coating inspection (if any)
Internal Inspection-Floating Roof
1. Roof plate inspection for corrosion and deformation
2. Roof Structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation
3. Roof plates and structure members welding joints inspection for corrosion and cracking
4. Roof sealing system inspection i.e. rubber seal, seal plate and etc.
5. Roof leg supports inspection
6. Pontoon gasoil leak testing
7. Internal coating inspection (if any)
8. Roof drain system inspection











Internal Inspection-Internal Equipment
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1. Gage pole inspection for corrosion and deformation
2. Support and structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation
3. Inspection of columns for corrosion and deformation
4. Fixed coil inspection and test for corrosion
External Inspection-Shell and Roof
1. Thickness measurement and remaining life calculation
2. Shell and roof plates inspection for corrosion and deformation
3. Shell and roof plates circumferential and longitudinal welding joints inspection for
corrosion and cracking
4. Nozzles, man ways, flange welding joints inspection for corrosion and cracking
5. External part of annular plates inspection specifically welding joint with shell plates
6. Side vents inspection
7. Gasket seating surface inspection of nozzles and man ways flange joints
8. Top angel, wind girder and stair way inspection for corrosion and deformation
9. Roof sump inspection (floating roof only)
10. Pontoon and pontoon structure welding joints inspection for corrosion and cracking
(floating roof only)
11. Weather shield rubber and pontoon doors rubber inspection (floating roof only)
12. Pontoon air leak testing (internal floating roof only)
13. Painting or insulation inspection





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External Inspection-Foundation
1. Concrete foundation inspection for corrosion and cracking
2. Earthling system inspection
3. Asphalt inspection (around of shell)
4. Cathodic protection system inspection