API 653 QUESTIONS AND THEIR
EXPECTED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
alteration
Any work on a tank that changes its physical dimensions
or configuration.
as-built standard
The standard (such as API standard or UL) used to
costract the tank
If this as-built standardis not known, the as-built
standard
- the standard that was in effect at the date of the
installation of the component.
If the date of the installation of the component is
unknown (as-built standard)
then the current applicable standard shall be considered to
be the as-built standard.
authorized inspection agency (4)
a) The inspection organization of the jurisdiction in which
the aboveground storage tank is operated.
b) The inspection organization of an insurance
company which is licensed or registered to and does write
aboveground storage tank insurance.
c) An owner/operator of one or more aboveground
storage tank(s) who maintains an inspection organization
for activities relating only to his/her equipment and not for
aboveground storage tanks intended for sale or resale.
,d) An independent organization or individual under
contract to and under the direction of an owner/operator
and recognized or otherwise not prohibited by the
jurisdiction in which the aboveground storage tank is
operated. The owner/operator's inspection program shall
provide the controls necessary for use by authorized
inspectors contracted to inspect aboveground storage
tanks.
breakover point
The area on a tank bottom where settlement begins.
candidate tank
The tank(s) for which corrosion rates are not known.
control tank
The tank(s) for which corrosion rates and service history
are known and documented.
critical zone
The portion of the tank bottom or annular plate within 75
mm (3 in.) of the inside edge of the shell, measured
radially inward.
door sheet
A plate (or plates) cut from an existing tank shell to create
a temporary access opening. After planned work is
completed, the door sheet(s) shall be reinstalled or
replaced
hot tap
Identifies a procedure for installing a nozzle in the shell of
a tank that is in service.
insert plate
A steel plate that replaces part of a shell plate with a
nominal thickness that is equivalent to, or no more than,
3 mm (1/8 in.) greater than the nominal thickness of
, the adjoining material. When an insert plate is equal to the
full height of a shell ring, it is considered to be a shell
plate.
internal inspection deferral
An approved and documented postponement on the
internal inspection due date of an in-service tank based on
the procedures of 6.4.3.
internal inspection due date (2)
The date whereby a tank is scheduled to
1) be emptied of liquid and removed from service for
internal inspection or
2) complete an on-stream internal inspection. The date
is based on 6.4.2.
major alteration/or major repair (9)
1) installing a shell penetration larger than DN 300
mm (NPS 12) beneath the design liquid level;
2) installing a bottom penetration within 300 mm (12
in.) of the shell;
3) removing and replacing or adding a shell plate beneath
the design liquid level where the longest dimension of the
replacement plate exceeds 300 mm (12 in.);
4) removing or replacing annular plate ring material
where the longest dimension of the replacement plate
exceeds 300 mm (12 in.);
5) complete or partial (more than one-half of the weld
thickness) removal and replacement of more than 300 mm
(12inch) of vertical weld joining shell plates or radial
weld joining the annular plate ring;
6) a nonmetallic repair that contributes more than one-
half the strength of the shell in an area more than 300
mm (12 in.) high;
EXPECTED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
alteration
Any work on a tank that changes its physical dimensions
or configuration.
as-built standard
The standard (such as API standard or UL) used to
costract the tank
If this as-built standardis not known, the as-built
standard
- the standard that was in effect at the date of the
installation of the component.
If the date of the installation of the component is
unknown (as-built standard)
then the current applicable standard shall be considered to
be the as-built standard.
authorized inspection agency (4)
a) The inspection organization of the jurisdiction in which
the aboveground storage tank is operated.
b) The inspection organization of an insurance
company which is licensed or registered to and does write
aboveground storage tank insurance.
c) An owner/operator of one or more aboveground
storage tank(s) who maintains an inspection organization
for activities relating only to his/her equipment and not for
aboveground storage tanks intended for sale or resale.
,d) An independent organization or individual under
contract to and under the direction of an owner/operator
and recognized or otherwise not prohibited by the
jurisdiction in which the aboveground storage tank is
operated. The owner/operator's inspection program shall
provide the controls necessary for use by authorized
inspectors contracted to inspect aboveground storage
tanks.
breakover point
The area on a tank bottom where settlement begins.
candidate tank
The tank(s) for which corrosion rates are not known.
control tank
The tank(s) for which corrosion rates and service history
are known and documented.
critical zone
The portion of the tank bottom or annular plate within 75
mm (3 in.) of the inside edge of the shell, measured
radially inward.
door sheet
A plate (or plates) cut from an existing tank shell to create
a temporary access opening. After planned work is
completed, the door sheet(s) shall be reinstalled or
replaced
hot tap
Identifies a procedure for installing a nozzle in the shell of
a tank that is in service.
insert plate
A steel plate that replaces part of a shell plate with a
nominal thickness that is equivalent to, or no more than,
3 mm (1/8 in.) greater than the nominal thickness of
, the adjoining material. When an insert plate is equal to the
full height of a shell ring, it is considered to be a shell
plate.
internal inspection deferral
An approved and documented postponement on the
internal inspection due date of an in-service tank based on
the procedures of 6.4.3.
internal inspection due date (2)
The date whereby a tank is scheduled to
1) be emptied of liquid and removed from service for
internal inspection or
2) complete an on-stream internal inspection. The date
is based on 6.4.2.
major alteration/or major repair (9)
1) installing a shell penetration larger than DN 300
mm (NPS 12) beneath the design liquid level;
2) installing a bottom penetration within 300 mm (12
in.) of the shell;
3) removing and replacing or adding a shell plate beneath
the design liquid level where the longest dimension of the
replacement plate exceeds 300 mm (12 in.);
4) removing or replacing annular plate ring material
where the longest dimension of the replacement plate
exceeds 300 mm (12 in.);
5) complete or partial (more than one-half of the weld
thickness) removal and replacement of more than 300 mm
(12inch) of vertical weld joining shell plates or radial
weld joining the annular plate ring;
6) a nonmetallic repair that contributes more than one-
half the strength of the shell in an area more than 300
mm (12 in.) high;
