Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection

The Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection provides you with information about
the inspection of storage tanks and storage tank testing in a construction shop
and site, as well as storage tank in-service inspection in operational plants.
The Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection article provides you lots of
invaluable information about following items:

Inspection and Testing During the Manufacturing Phase

Inspection and Testing During the Operation Phase
Storage Tank Codes and Regulations
Maintenance and Repairs
This article, alongside the other linked articles, are useful for Manufactures and
Construction Contractors Quality Control Personnel, Second and Third Party
Inspectors, Purchasers, Sellers, Plant Inspectors, HSE Engineers, Integrity
Engineers, Operation and Maintenance Engineers and any Other Interested
Individuals.
What is the Application of a Storage Tank?
There are two kinds of storage tanks, the Atmospheric Storage Tank and the Low
Pressure Storage tank.

The maximum pressure for vapor or gas space of an atmospheric storage tank is
2.5 psi, and for a low pressure storage tank is 15 psi.
If the pressure is more than 15 psi, the liquid cannot be stored in in the storage
tank and it is necessary to be stored in a pressure vessel.
Atmospheric storage tanks are used for storing crude oil, heavy oil, gas oils,
furnace oils, naphtha, gasoline, non-volatile chemicals, etc.
Low pressure storage tank are used for storing light crude oil, some gasoline
blending stock, light naphtha, pentane, some volatile chemicals, liquid oxygen,
liquid nitrogen, 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 the
Manufacturer Shop and In-Field Assembly Process?
The construction code for the atmospheric storage tank is API STD 650, and for
a low pressure storage tank is API STD 620. These cover the minimum
requirements for design, materials, fabrication, inspection and testing.

With the above explanation, your inspection and test plan (ITP) for storage tank
construction needs 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 the manufacturer's
shop, and the other section for construction activities in the field.

The prepared plates in the shop are transferred to the field for assembly.
Depending on the client's contract, sometimes there is only one contractor for
shop and field activities, and sometimes there are two contractors one for the
shop and one for field assembly.
This table determines each party's responsibility (i.e. construction contractor,
third party inspector and client).
For more detailed information on above ground storage tank inspection both on
in-shop and on-site review the following articles:
Third Party Inspection for Storage Tank
Inspection

and

Test

Plan

for

Storage

Tank

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.

It is necessary for you to use this standard with the API Recommended Practice
575, which is titled Guidelines and Methods for Inspection of Existing
Atmospheric and Low-pressure Storage Tanks.
As you see above, the API STD 653 addresses only the atmospheric storage
tank, but API RP 575 covers both atmospheric and low pressure storage tanks.
The API STD 653 is designated for atmospheric above ground storage tank
inspection, for tank built based on API 650, but you may use this code for any
steel tank with specific consideration and operating details.
Some other recommendation practices that you need to take into 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, and 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 inservice tanks.
But if you found a conflict between the construction code API 650 and API 653,
the requirement of API 653 must govern this standard, as it -specifically
addresses above ground storage tank inspections for operating plants.
API 653 above ground storage tank inspectors are qualified for the inspection of
storage tanks, as they are certified by API for such activities.
What are Important Points in the Above Ground Storage Tank Inspection in
shutdown?
For detailed information you need to refer to API STD 653 and API RP 575.

Internal Inspection-Shell Plate

Shell plate inspection for corrosion and deformation

Shell plate circumferential and longitudinal welding joints inspection for
corrosion and cracking
Internal coating inspection (if any)
Internal Inspection- Bottom Plate

Thickness measurement and remaining life calculation on bottom plates

and annular plates
Bottom plates and annular plates inspection for corrosion and deformation

 Bottom plates and annular plates welding joints inspection for corrosion
and cracking specifically the annular plate joints with first shell course plate
Sump inspection
Internal coating inspection (if any)
Inspection of sample plate, which must be cut to find any external
corrosion
Vacuum testing inspection and supervision
Internal Inspection-Fix Roof

Roof plate inspection for corrosion and deformation

Roof structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation
Roof plates and structure members welding joints inspection for corrosion
and cracking
Internal coating inspection (if any)
Internal Inspection-Floating Roof

Roof plate inspection for corrosion and deformation

Roof structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation

 Roof plates and structure members welding joints inspection for corrosion
and cracking
Roof sealing system inspection i.e. rubber seal, seal plate, etc.
Roof leg supports inspection
Pontoon gasoil leak testing
Internal coating inspection (if any)
Roof drain system inspection
Internal Inspection-Internal Equipment

Gage pole inspection for corrosion and deformation

Support and structure members inspection for corrosion and deformation
Inspection of columns for corrosion and deformation
Fixed coil inspection and test for corrosion
External Inspection-Shell and Roof

Thickness measurement and remaining life calculation

Shell and roof plates inspection for corrosion and deformation

 Shell and roof plates circumferential and longitudinal welding joints

inspection for corrosion and cracking
Nozzles, man ways, flange welding joints inspection for corrosion and
cracking

External part of annular plates inspection, specifically welding joint with

shell plates
Side vents inspection
Gasket seating surface inspection of nozzles and man ways flange joints
Top angle, wind girder and stair way inspection for corrosion and
deformation
Roof sump inspection (floating roof only)
Pontoon and pontoon structure welding joints inspection for corrosion and
cracking (floating roof only)
Weather shield rubber and pontoon doors rubber inspection (floating roof
only)
Pontoon air leak testing (internal floating roof only)
Painting or insulation inspection

External Inspection-Foundation

Concrete foundation inspection for corrosion and cracking

Earthling system inspection
Asphalt inspection (around shell)
Cathodic protection system inspection