Work Instruction

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

Work Instructions
For the
Inspection of
Above ground storage tank floors
Using
Magnetic Flux Leakage method

Reviewed by: __________________ sign: _________________

Approved by: __________________ sign: ________________
Client acceptance
by: ___________________________Sign: _________________
Date: ______________________

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Issue Number 02 Rev 00
Page 1 of 18
Section 11

Work Instruction
Description

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage
Page

Cover page

Contents

1.0

Scope

2.0

Limitations

3.0

References

4.0

Definitions

5.0

Prerequisites

6.0

Equipment required

7.0

Personnel

8.0

Preparation

9.0

Calibration validation

9.1

Mapping Mode

9.2

HandScan

10.0

Entering Tank

11.0

Scanning

12.0

13.0

11.1

Mapping Mode

11.2

HandScan

10

Detection and Confirmation

10

12.1

Mapping Mode

10

12.2

HandScan

11

Coated Material thickness above MFL limitations

and Annular above 12.5 mm material thickness

11

14.0

Sump, if present

13

15.0

Data Transfer

13

16.0

Reporting

13

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Section 11

Work Instruction
1

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

Scope
This procedure describes the requirements for conducting Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) inspection of
bulk liquid above ground storage tank floors using Silverwing Floormap3Di to determine the top and
bottom surface corrosion levels in combination with Silverwing HandScan HS 100 system for in accessible
areas.
It is suitable for the inspection of floors made of mild steel upto 12.5 mm thick including floors with nonmagnetic coatings up to 6 mm thick (see Clause 2. Limitations).

2.

Limitations
The sensitivity of the above systems varies with increasing floor thickness; refer to the specific systems
operating manual for limits. Similarly, there are limitations to the maximum thickness of coating through
which satisfactory inspection can be carried out as floor thickness increases.

The characteristics of MFL inspection as a technology are such that it is volume related and it may on
some types of corrosion underestimate where there is minimal volume such as low volume bacterial pipe
type corrosion defects below 3 mm dia.
The Floormap3Di system is generally only suitable for floors:
i)
ii)
iii)

Up to 12.5 mm, thick plate with maximum coating thickness of 6 mm

Horizontal & vertical floor plate designs.
Without any heating coils present

As with all inspection methods, the effectiveness of inspection maybe affected by obstructions such as
pipes, the condition of the floor or annular plates, cleanliness and preparation of the floor. In particular,
undulating or buckled floor plates, weld spatter or tack welds and debris, operator error by hitting welds,
can lead to false indications.
Uneven coating
1

Also it is observed that while inspecting the FRP Coating surfaces the overlapping or uneven coating area
may cause the system under or over sensitive.
Each of the systems has a dead zone physical limit to the proximity to lap welds and shell to annular
welds that can be achieved. There is also a square in each corner of a floor plate that cannot be
inspected. As indicated below for lap welds in ideal conditions:
Non inspected area.
Each corner 160 x 160 mm

Non inspected
10 mm on all four edges

The relevant dimensions of the untested areas are defined in the systems operating manual.

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Work Instruction
3.

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

References
The following documents shall be referred to in conjunction with this procedure:
QP 61145,
QP 61143,
ASME section V Art 16
API Std. 650,
API Std. 620,
API Std. 653,
EEMUA Std. 154,

Silverwing Middle East Safety Manual

Written Practice for certification of personnel
Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) examination
Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage
Design & construction of large Welded low pressure Storage Tanks
Inspection and Repair of Storage Tanks
Guidance to owners on demolition of Vertical steel
Storage Tanks
EEMUA Std. 159,
Guide to the Inspection, Maintenance and repair of
Above ground vertical cylindrical steel storage tanks
UK HSE report 481,
Recommended practice for magnetic flux leakage
Inspection of atmospheric storage tank inspection
UAE RSB ED/RO1/015 The Fuel Storage Tank Regulations 2009
PT02 MFL
Cleaning Equipments for MFL Inspection
SWME 61015,
Tank Inspection questionnaire
QF 61076,
MFL Site Inspection Check list
QF 61078,
MFL Daily Site report (for HandScan inspection)
QF 61086,
UT Floor Thickness report
SIMS Data Analysing Software generated reports as follows
a) MFL Daily site report showing list of discontinuity
b) UT verification list for manual UT prove up
c) UT validation report after UT verification.
d) Patch plate list with total area patch material if required
e) Weld discontinuities on lap weld found by vacuum box and MT testing
Manufacturers Operations Manual
4.

Definitions
Mapping Mode

This refers to the Floormap3Di system used in normal data acquisition mode.

HandScan

This refers to the use of the HandScan 100 system used to scan under
obstructions such as pipe work and for the inspection in the shell to annular weld
region as well as the scanning of complete plates in small tanks.

MFL Reference plate

MFL reference plates mean those plates defined by the relevant Silverwing
engineering drawings shown in the operating manual for the specific system. The
MFL reference plate used shall normally be of the same thickness as the floor to
be inspected, if the thickness of the floor to be inspected is not as the standard
reference plate then it is acceptable to use the thicker reference plate providing it
is within 1 mm of the thickness of the floor to be inspected.
Note. When the reference plate used is higher, then any discontinuities maybe oversized in area and
UT validation shall be used to correct the error if any in the reporting software.

Coating simulation
sheet

Shell
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Section 11

A non-magnetic sheet of the same thickness as the coating that is placed over
the plate during the calibration validation process. The simulation sheet is not
required for coatings less than 0.5 mm in thickness.
The wall of the tank.

Work Instruction

5.

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

Annular plates

Plates around the periphery of the tank that are welded to the shell and overlap
the floor plates. Annular plates are often thicker than the floor plates.

Sketch plates

Plates around the periphery of the tank welded to the shell or annular and maybe
overlapped by the floor plates. Sketch plates are usually the same thickness as
the floor plates.

Floor plates

The main part of the floor. Floor plates are mostly rectangular.

Man way

The access point for inspection.

Sump

A depression in the floor to collect product residue/sludge, water, etc. The sump
shall normally be inspected using MFL. HandScan HS 100 if practical

Tank datum

An imaginary point outside the tank from which the orientation of the plate layout,
plate numbering system, plate reference point and all measurements are
co-ordinated. By convention, the tank datum is usually the bottom left corner of a
square containing the tank.

Plate reference

The corner of the plate from which corrosion indications are measured and from
which scanning is commenced.

Plate orientation

Plates are defined as vertical or horizontal with respect to the tank datum.

Row number

The plates are considered to be in rows numbered starting from the left top to
bottom with respect to the tank datum.

Plate number

The plates in each row are numbered from left to right with respect to the tank
datum.

Reporting Level

A percentage loss of minimum remaining wall thickness value agreed with the
client. Discontinuities equal to or above this value shall be included in the report.
If any area has, a cluster of discontinuities then the one with the maximum level
shall be reported.

Prerequisites

Before commencing a tank floor inspection using MFL, the operator should ensure the following information is
available using the form QF 61015 and /or 61076: a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)

Floor plate and annular plate thickness.

Floor coating thickness and coating material.
General condition of the top surface for cleanliness and pitting.
Presence of heater coils or other obstruction
Minimum pit depth to be detected (as a percentage of floor thickness).
Floor plate numbering system to be used.
Name and contact details of clients site representative.
Safety requirements (breathing apparatus, hot work permit system etc).
Appropriate work permits for the inspection process as well as the equipments to be used
Number of copies of reports required
Risk Assessment and Method Statement agreed and signed by client.

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Work Instruction

6.

Equipment required
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)

7.

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

MFL system (Floormap3Di and/or HandScan).

Appropriate MFL reference plate as defined in clause 4.
Appropriate coating simulation sheet as defined in clause 4.
A-scan Ultrasonic flaw detector and probe for confirmation checks.
Approved lighting system.
Approved generator for lights.
Coveralls, hardhats, safety glasses and safety footwear.
Approved Breathing apparatus, if required.
Personnel gas tester - 4 level
Other safety equipment as may be required by the contract or client safety policies

Personnel
The roles required of the inspection team can be described as:
Team Leader (TL)
MFL Technician (MT)
Ultrasonic Technician (UT)
Each member of the team can accept the responsibilities of more than one role and the quantity of
personnel to be deployed shall be at the Company discretion.
Team Leader (TL)
The Team Leader shall be trained and certified by Silverwing to MFL Level II as well as hold minimum of
ASNT level II UT, ACCP UT or PCN and ASNT level II MT or equivalent as recognised by the Company.
The TL shall also have attended a Silverwing course of instruction on the specific MFL system(s) to be
used.
If a TL is deployed to the job site, he shall carry out the system sensitivity calibration validation using the
MFL reference plate(s) and shall remain in attendance during scanning.
The TL shall be responsible for ensuring that a final inspection report is produced, that will be checked
and authorised by an appropriately senior member of Silverwing staff.
The TL shall have been involved in 6 tank floor inspections over the previous 2 years performing both the
MFL and UT roles at least 3 times. Their most recent inspection shall have been performed within the
previous 6 months.
MFL Technician (MFL)
The MFL Technician shall be trained and certified by Silverwing to MFL Level II as well as hold minimum
of ASNT level II UT, ACCP UT or PCN or equivalent and ASNT level II MT as recognised by the
Company.
The MFL technician shall have attended a Silverwing course of instruction on the specific MFL system(s)
to be used during the inspection.
The MFL technician shall be responsible for the operation and application of the MFL scanning equipment
used.

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Work Instruction

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

The MFL technician shall have been involved in 3 tank floor inspections over the previous 2 years
involved in MFL scanning, with the most recent being within the previous 6 months.
Ultrasonic Technician (UT)
The Ultrasonic technician shall be trained and certified to a minimum of ASNT level II UT in the use of Ascan equipment for thickness measurement and corrosion assessment and ASNT level II MT.
The UT technician is responsible for the operation and application of the ultrasonic equipment.
The UT technician shall have been involved in 3 tank floor inspections, performing ultrasonic thickness /
corrosion assessments over the previous 2 years, with the most recent being within the previous 6
months.
All personnel involved in the inspection shall have attended appropriate safety training including confined
space and breathing apparatus training where relevant.
8.

Preparation
a)

The tank floor shall be clean and free from product residue, ferromagnetic scale, weld spatter or
tack welds. The client shall arrange to sweep clean any loose debris away from a plate before
scanning. The presence of pools of water shall be avoided otherwise damage to the sensors may
take place. It is not always necessary to grit blast the floor in order to carry out a satisfactory MFL
inspection. Please refer to Silverwing web site of illustration www.silverwingme.com or PT-02
MFL.

b)

The team leader shall ensure that appropriate work permits have been issued, that the required
safety personnel are in position, suitable emergency procedures are in place and that the clients
site representative is aware of the times that the team shall be in the tank.

c)

Adequate lighting shall be installed giving a minimum of 100 foot candles and positioned for the
inspection.

d)

The floor plates and annular plates shall be numbered in accordance with the agreed numbering
system using a suitable paint marker..

e)

The team leader shall conduct a visual examination of the floor to assess the cleanliness and
degree of top surface corrosion present. If the surface condition for either of the above reasons is
considered to reduce the sensitivity of the inspection, the leader shall draw this to the attention of
the clients site representative.

f)

The nominal thickness of each plate shall be determined by ultrasonic thickness inspections at 3
points diagonally either bottom right to top left or bottom left to top right across each plate within
the whole tank. These details shall be recorded on UT report format.

g)

In the event that any significant thickness change at f) is found near to 20% loss of nominal plate
thickness on the spot thickness checks then an adjacent area of 100 x 100 mm shall be scanned
to determine the limits of the corrosion and this shall be extended by 50 mm increments until no
corrosion is identified

h)

If the floor is coated, particularly if the coating is other than paint, the team leader shall try to
establish whether the coating was applied when the floor was new or to cover top surface
corrosion at a later stage.

i)

Validation of the calibration sensitivity of the system using the appropriate MFL reference plate
and coating simulation shall be carried out on a non-magnetic substrate outside the tank. If this is

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Work Instruction

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

not possible then the MFL reference plate must be raised above the magnetic substrate by
packing with wood at least 150 mm thick.
9.

Calibration Validation
Sensitivity calibration validation shall be carried out using a MFL reference plate of appropriate thickness
in conjunction with a coating simulation sheet where necessary in accordance with the definitions in
Clause 4 herein above. Reference should also be made to the relevant operating manual.

9.1

Mapping Mode
Sensitivity calibration validation of the Floormap3Di system in mapping mode shall be carried out in
accordance with the operating manual section Data Acquisition Documentation - System calibration and
follow on screen set by set calibration instruction from Sitemaster Data acquisition computer.
Sensitivity calibration validation for plates of various thicknesses may be stored and re-called for use on
site. Such calibrations should be rechecked as soon as practicable after an inspection. If there is
significant change in calibration values on re-checking, the inspection shall be repeated.
9.1.1 Example: Calibration curves of 8mm no coating plate.
a)

MFL Top/ Bottom calibration curve image

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Section 11

Work Instruction
b)

9.2

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

STARS Top surface calibration curve image

HandScan
a)

Switch unit "On" by pressing the On/Off switch.

b)

Check that the battery state indicator is in the Green sector.

c)

Ensure the sensor head height is correctly set as described in the adjustments section of the
operating manual.

d)

Connect the scanning head leads to the HandScan unit as described in the operating manual.

e)

Allow the unit to warm up and stabilise for 10 minutes.

f)

Select the correct thickness range for the plate thickness to be tested, using the thickness
selector switch as defined in the operating manual.

g)

Place the scanning head onto a defect free region of a suitable MFL reference plate, ensuring that
the handle is in the jacked position and fingers are away from the magnet carriage and wheels.
Lower the front wheels onto the plate by means of the jacking handle ensuring fingers are clear of
the scanning head.

h)

Scan over the desired artificial pit (normally the 20% pit); adjust the threshold control until the
LEDs turn red as the scanner passes the artificial pit. [See clause 11.2 Para a) herein].

i)

Re-scan the artificial pits, until the desired percentage material loss threshold is obtained.

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Work Instruction

10.

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

j)

Increase the threshold by a further 5 increments and check the desired percentage material loss
is not detected.

k)

Decrease the threshold setting (fine control) until the desired material loss is consistently
detected.

l)

At the end of each scan during calibration, the unit shall be turned through 180 degrees and the
subsequent scan made in the opposite direction. This is to avoid building up a residual magnetic
field in the plate that may prevent accurate calibration of the system.

Entering the tank

Due to the extremely strong magnet and the normally restricted entry man ways, care must be taken when
placing the unit in the tank to avoid personal injury to fingers and or any other extremities being trapped
between the magnet and the tank wall. It requires two people to put the Floormap3Di in the tank.
The first person inside the tank leans out of the man way and lifts the unit by the handles at top of the
chassis/handle assembly. The second person lifts the front of the unit by the handles in front of the drive
wheels. If the man way is very narrow, the left-hand handle will unscrew to assist with access.
The chassis/handle assembly is passed through the man way in the horizontal position and the rear rollers
should be positioned to rest on the bottom of the man way.
When standing the unit inside the tank, be aware that as the magnet approaches the floor, the attractive
force increases. Ensure that no obstructions or human limbs are between the magnet and the floor as it is
put down.
Normally the person holding the handles at the top should first places the rear rollers on the tank floor of
the scanner then slowly allows the front rollers of the magnet carriage to meet the floor.

11.

Scanning
Reference should also be made to the operating manual for the relevant system
In the event that the tank floor has undulation or buckled floor plate the operator shall need to modify the
scanning technique to take into consideration one of the following solutions:
a) Any localised depressions in the tank floor are to be examined by alternative technique such as
HandScan or manual UT to avoid under sizing or missing corrosion due to excessive sensor lift off.
b) Any MFL signals detected at localised raised areas of the tank floor are to be examined by an
alternative technique such as HandScan or manual UT to avoid the possibility of false calls caused
by a decrease in lift off or the sensor head hitting the area since they may also be real corrosion
signals as these areas are susceptible to corrosion
11.1

Mapping Mode

a)

The inspection shall be carried out in accordance with the Floormap3Di operating manual section
Data Acquisition Documentation ,Setting up and scanning pIates (refer earlier comment)

b)

The floor shall be scanned plate-by-plate

c)

Rectangular plates shall be scanned using a raster scanning pattern, where practical and sketch
plates using the most convenient uni-directional pattern.
Each plate shall be scanned along the longitudinal axis starting at the intersection of a longitudinal
and transverse weld.

d)

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Work Instruction

12.

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

e)

At the end of the scan, the motor wheels shall be raised and the scanner hand propelled so that
the motor wheels can cross the weld to attain maximum coverage without giving a shock load to
the sensor head system that could be seriously damaged if allowed to hit any obstructions and
also lead to false indications. The scan is completed as the front rollers of the magnet carriage
reaches, but does not cross, the transverse weld.

f)

With the drive wheels raised, the unit is manoeuvred through 180 to begin the next scan.

g)

The effective scan width, overlap and coverage are defined in the Floormap3Di operating manual
Section 1 Fundamentals and Definitions, Para 6 Plate Coverage.(see earlier) and limitations

h)

A transverse scan shall be performed at each end of the plate to ensure maximum plate coverage
is achieved

i)

The HandScan system shall be used to cover the maximum practically possible dead zone areas
as well as areas under pipes and heater coils that are inaccessible to the Floormap3Di.

j)

If there is a plate that cannot be inspected by the Floormap3Di scanner due to size, limited
access, existing patch plates or corroded top surfaces of the plate then the dimensions of the
plate shall be measured and entered into the software and then saved. This will ensure that the
software recognises the plate and correctly inserts the data for producing the tank bottom plan
view.

11.2

HandScan

a)

The scanning head can be pushed, or pulled over the area to be inspected and steering around a
curved path is usually easier when pulling.

b)

The HandScan is only used to cover areas that are not accessible to the Floormap3Di and the
most convenient scanning path to suit the area or obstruction shall be used.

c)

The design of the HandScan scanning head is such that it is able to detect a material discontinuity
(commonly referred to as pitting) close to the edge of the head. This means that it covers up to
the toe of welds. However, there will be a 100 mm square in each corner of a plate that is
inaccessible to HandScan similar to the Floormap3Di systems limitation, which is minimum 160
mm square.

Detection and Confirmation

12.1

PROBABILITY OF DETECTION, VERIFICATION & SIZING

a)

Combined defect profiling and amplitude analysis using bespoke data acquisition software
programme to automatically cross check the data by using amplitude analysis to refine the data
thus ensuring that the final reported data is easily identifiable and more accurate than that
secured by manual UT. This also includes an enhanced focus of isolated discontinuities for ease
of review.

b)

Improved POD and sizing of any corrosion than previous Silverwing designs by also an added
level of verification to give further confidence that the inspection scanning is not missing any
defects in the range 20% to 50% using
i.

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Section 11

Improved accuracy defect in the 20% to 50% band since these defects are most critical
to RLA & RBI corrosion trending process

Work Instruction
ii.

Storage
torage tank floors
FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage
Screen lock available to provide real time defect verification access via
1.
Dynamic Cursor (DC)defect sizing software tool that
th allows the operator to
ascertain manually whether a defect has been under or over sized by simply moving
the mouse over any defect of interest

Defect area is less than the DC = Undersized, pit type

Defect area similar to DC = Well sized, similar to ball end.

Defect area is greater than DC area = Check MFLi view for

over sizing accuracy and lake type defect

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Work Instruction

Storage
torage tank floors
FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage
Suggested
ggested Operational threshold (SOT)
(
minimise spurious indications with
dirty floors such as isolated blisters, coating variations and coating lap joints

2)

iii)

Four separate technician aids to defect verification classification

1.
MFL calibrated view that displays the traditional raw data view of defects similar
in features to ball end cutter to aid with distinguishing top and bottom defect orientation
and false defects
2.
MFLi un-calibrated
un
view helps to source and classify isolated pit or pipe type
defects using a unique colour palette view. MFLi data review mode with user
selectable colour palette
pa
to provide
a) an enhanced level of confidence by improving the actual defect review
detail by highlighting data acquisition areas that may not be readily
available in the review of the calibrated data mode views
b) ability to identify defects such as bacterial
cterial type through holes of small
diameter
c) determine the actual characteristic shape or type of defect
MFL Calibrated view MFLi Un-Calibrated
ted view

Example
xample of a flat bottom hole.
Note figure of 8 shape

Example of regular ball end type

corrosion. Note colour change
towards the centre.

d) minimise the number of false or spurious defects

e) Re -Confirmation
Confirmation that MFL view zero defect report is 100% valid
3.
4.

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STARS VIEW helps to classify top surface defects with coated plates
JET Colour palette Option. Aids worth emphasising the small top surest
defects

Work Instruction

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage
Example HOT STARS view

Other Colour palette tools

GREY

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JET

HOT

Work Instruction
12.2

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

Limitations - Defect Sizing Sensitivity

12.2.1 - Suggested Minimum Operator Thresholds (SMOT) for accurate sizing

6mm Reference Plate

Coating (mm)
SMOT
20%
0
1
20%
2
20%
3
20%
4
20%
5
25%
6
25%

8mm Reference Plate

Coating (mm)
SMOT
20%
0
1
20%
2
20%
3
20%
4
25%
5
30%
6
35%

10mm Reference Plate

Coating (mm)
SMOT
0
20%
1
20%
2
25%
3
30%
4
35%
5
40%
6
45%

12mm Reference Plate

Coating (mm)
SMOT
0
20%
1
25%
2
35%
3
40%
4
N/A
5
N/A
6
N/A

a) Detection below these minimum threshold levels is possible

b) Sizing accuracy below these levels may not be accurate
12.3

Mapping Mode

a)

Data about the location and depth of all pitting are stored in the computer Data Acquisition
Software. However, in order to check that the system calibration and inspection modes are
functioning properly a limited amount of cross checking shall be carried out as detailed below.

b)

At the end of each scan, the software indicates the position and depth of the highest discontinuity
detected along that track. Initially, the largest indication above 30% loss shall be identified,
marked and checked by Ultrasonics. This shall be repeated at random until at least one indication
(if one exists) in the bands 20 40%, 40 60%, and 60 80% and above 80% have been
crosschecked.

c)

If all of the results of Clause 12.1 Para b) herein show a discrepancy of more than 10% of the
Floormap value, the system shall be re-calibrated and the plates re-scanned.

d)

If only one of the bands shows a discrepancy of more than 10%, more indications in that band
shall be crosschecked to establish whether the earlier indication was false. If indications in a
particular band are, either consistently under or over sized, the inspection shall be halted until the
cause for the error has been identified and rectified.
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FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

e) 10% of the total plates that have discontinuities above the agreed reporting threshold with the
client for the tank shall be examined by Ultrasonics and the position and depth of the located
discontinuity confirmed and recorded.
12.2

HandScan

a)

When an indication above the threshold value is encountered there is an audible signal and one
or more of the six LEDs is illuminated. The operator shall note which LEDs illuminate.

b)

The scanner is then moved backwards and forwards over the affected area until the operator
considers the centre of the sensor head to be over the detected discontinuity. The longitudinal
centre line of the sensor array shall then be paint marked on the plate and the scanning head
moved away from the area.

c)

The channels that have illuminated shall then be marked with short paint lines transverse to the
line in clause 12.2 Para b) herein. Left-hand LED indicators display defects found on the left hand
half of the scanning head and right-hand indicators for the right hand half.

d)

Ultrasonic examination shall be carried out across the width of the affected area and for 50 mm in
front and behind the line in Clause 12.2 Para b) herein and the position and depth of the located
pits recorded on all the indications above the reporting threshold agreed with the client.

13 Coated Material thickness above MFL limitations and Annular above 12.5 mm material thickness
When a tank has an annular plate which is in excess of MFL technical capability they shall be inspected by
manual Ultrasonics to determine if there is any possibility of soil side corrosion. It is important that wherever
possible , the test are made at standard reference location to enable the results to be compared with those
from preceding or succeeding test using one or more of the following or as maybe directed by the client in
writing;
13.1 Manual A scanning (thickness checking)
A band taken at 50 mm distance from the shell perimeter shall be checked for any material loss using a
Silverwing D 701 flaw detection unit or similar with a 0 twin crystal 5 Mhz 10 mm dia / 4X4 mm dia probe.
13.2 Manual A scanning (thickness gauging)
A 200 x200 mm grid line shall be drawn on the annular taking reference line from the centre of each annular
and wherever practical the material thickness shall be checked at the intersections of the grid line. When
obstructions or access restrictions exist that prevent manual inspection at the grid intersection then the
inspection shall be made at the point closet to the intersection. Refer below diagram

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Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage
3

7
200

Left
edge

Right
edge

200

Test
Spots

5/2
Test Spots
13.3

4/3

Manual B scanning (corrosion profiling)

A grid shall be drawn on the perimeter of each annular as close as possible to the weld and additional all
lines at the centre of the annular as well as a minimum two equally spaced horizontal lines shall be made
to create a grid. The thickness profile shall be checked on this grid using the Silvering R-Scan Lite unit
with a 5 MHz dry coupled probe. Refer below diagram

Y
X=Y
13.4

The datum shall be the same as that used for the floor scanning

13.5

In the event that material loss is identified at any intersection which is more that the client defined
threshold then an adjacent area of minimum 100 x 100 mm shall be scanned to identify the limits of the
corrosion and this shall be extended by 50 mm increments until the limit is defined

14

Sump, if present

14.1

The sump base and side wall shall normally be inspected by the HandScan unit to give maximum
coverage of the surface area and minimise the risk of missing any hidden corrosion.

14.2

In the event that it is not practical to use the HandScan system due obstructions or accessibility issue then
the sump shall be inspected using the Manual A scan UT thickness gauging technique on either the sump
floor or sidewalls as defined in 14.3

Doc ref: QW 10875

Issue Number 02 Rev 00
Page 17 of 18
Section 11

Work Instruction

Storage tank floors

FM 3Di Magnetic Flux Leakage

14.3

A 150 x 150 mm gridline shall be drawn on the base as well as the side wall of the sump and wherever
practical a 50 x 50 mm can shall be made at the intersection of the grid lines. When obstruction or access
restrictions exist that prevent manual inspection at the grid intersections then the inspection shall be made
at the point closest to the intersection.

14.4

In the event that material loss is identified at any intersection which is more that the client defined
Threshold then an adjacent area of minimum 100 x 100 mm shall be scanned to identify the limits of the
corrosion and this shall be extended by 50 mm increments until the limit is defined

15

Data Transfer
a)

At the end of each shift, the data collected shall be backed up via USB to ensure no data is lost
due to unforeseen issues developing. NOTING THAT THE CONTINUE INSPECTION option must
be selected and THAT NO KEY MUST BE TOUCHED AFTER PRESSING BACK UP. In the
event of there being any missing data for a plate, then the complete plate should be scanned so
that the job can continue with the remaining plates to be inspected.

b)

After completion of the tank floor scanning all raw data shall be transferred to a USB memory stick
in line with the operating manual. NOTING THAT NO KEY MUST BE TOUCHED AFTER
PRESSING BACK UP
NOTE: MAKE SURE THE USB MEMORY STICK IS FREE FROM VIRUS BEFORE
TRANSFERRING DATA.

c)
16

The USB stored data shall then be transferred to the site or office based laptop for report
generation by copying to the hard drive and then importing into the reporting software.

Reporting
a)

Daily manual reports computer generated list of discontinuity for FM3Di shall be issued to the
client representative on site. If there are any major areas of concern then the plate report may be
generated prior to the next shift starting and attached to the daily report.

b)

The Final report shall include a drawing of the floor plan showing the Tank Datum, plate and
annular numbering system and the position of man ways, sumps, pipe work, existing patch plates,
roof supports, anodes and other obstructions encountered by the Floormap3Di unit.

c)

The co-ordinates of all surface discontinuities equal to or greater than the agreed reporting level
for each plate together with the percentage loss or remaining wall thickness shall be shown on a
computer generated plate report. The top and bottom surface discrimination may also be
generated for each plate, if required by the client.

d)

The FM3Di information is generated automatically and displayed in colour coded pixels.

e)

When the additional inspections are performed to complement a Floormap3Di mapping mode
inspection, results from areas that have been inspected shall be inserted manually into the
Mapping Mode results.

f)

The final report issued to the client shall include:

i. Hard copy of all reports showing defect origin from Top (Red), Bottom (Blue) and both
Top/Bottom (Green) in colour.
ii. CD copy of the reports generated complete with the Floormap3Di tank data files
iii. CD copy of the Floormap read only version to facilitate end user client reading the
data and developing other reports.

Doc ref: QW 10875

Issue Number 02 Rev 00
Page 18 of 18
Section 11