Storage Tank Inspection & Cleaning EEMUA 159 / API 653

Storage Tank Integrity Inspection is a specialist NDT service provided by InCon across the UK. InCon are now able to provide a ‘full return to service’ Storage Tank Inspection and Cleaning service. Please see our Storage Tank Inspection PDF for more information.

Storage Tank Integrity Inspection to EEMUA 159/API 653

Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA) 159 is a comprehensive guide to the maintenance and inspection of above-ground vertical cylindrical steel storage tanks and UK regulators are increasingly recommending that major hazard plant operators should inspection and maintain their storage tanks to this standard.

Oil and petrochemical, feed-stocks, refinery products, general chemicals and other products are stored in above ground vertical cylindrical storage tanks. At first sight these tanks appear to be of simple design and construction with innocuous working environments. However, this is not the case in practice, as testified by the many accidents and incidents associated with storage tanks around the world.

Our Storage Tank Integrity Inspection Reports

The below diagrams show typical areas of degradation on fixed and floating roof storage tanks.

It is very important to have more than simply pages of statistical data quoted in an inspection report. There needs to be an analysis of the results obtained and recommendations based on the results. For example, the shell thicknesses need to be compared with retirement thickness (tmin) taking the operating parameters of the tank into consideration, such as product specific gravity, liquid fill height, tank age etc. Wind pressure and internal vacuum, liquid loads, uniform roof loads on the shell plates, tank settlement and tilt also need to be taken into consideration. These issues need to be assessed by a qualified and experienced tank engineer, authorised tank inspector (API 653) or tank integrity assessor (EEMUA 159).

InCon carry out a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection and EEMUA 159/API 653 survey of all these areas of the tank with a comprehensive report giving the owner/operator recommendations and options for continued safe use of the tank.