UL142 Tank Inspection

[Marvyn]

Good day Professionals,

The company I am employed with built a 46m3 vertical double skin storage tank in accordance with UL142.

The tank was manufactured Feb 2008.

The purchaser of the tank has now requested for an inspection of the tank and possible repairs if needed.

Since UL142 only covers the design and construction of new tanks,
Would the API653 code be used to carry out the inspection and repairs?

Thank you.

 

[JStephen]

The Steel Tank Institute/ Steel Plate Fabricators Association publishes some standards for tank inspection/repair, that I believe are oriented more to small tanks and shop built tanks. However, I haven't used these myself.

https://members.stispfa.org/store/

 

[HTURKAK]

My points ;

- IMO, yes.. API653 code be used to carry out the inspection and repairs. Copy and paste of relevant clause of API653
(1.1.3 This standard employs the principles of API 650; however, storage tank owner/operators, based on
consideration of specific construction and operating details, may apply this standard to any steel tank constructed in
accordance with a tank specification..)

-However i will suggest you to look first step , API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 575 ( Inspection Practices for Atmospheric
and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks ) . Probably only inspection would be enough..

....


He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock..

Luke 6:48

 

[UseTJ]

STI is a less stringent version of 653, which my be better suited for smaller diameter tanks. In my experience, your best bet will be requesting a 653 inspection agency to send an inspector who is also STI certified. Some STI standalone inspectors are less familiar with tanks. I say this cause most STI intervals are less frequent and may never call for an internal inspection. Therefore the inspector has potentially seen less/learned less. However, the trade off would be they're sometimes, SOMETIMES, more verses with vents/reliefs, valves, containment practices. STI inspectors are sometimes less likely to have the "my job stops at first flange" mentality.

Within STI, there are separate standards for inspection (sp001) and repair (sp034).