If you own an aboveground liquid fertilizer storage tank, you’ve likely become familiar with the API 653 Standard.
API 653 is the internationally recognized standard for inspecting aboveground welded storage tanks that operate at atmospheric pressure. This includes tanks used to store products such as liquid fertilizer.
The standard is based on the knowledge and experience of leading tank industry engineers and tank owners. It provides guidelines for maintaining the safety and structural integrity of existing tanks throughout their service lives.
All storage tanks require maintenance and attention over time. API 653 addresses the repair, alteration, relocation, and reconstruction of existing tanks built to the API 650 Standard.
Regular inspections help ensure your tank remains safe and operational. They also help ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
The History of the API 653 Standard
API 653 was developed following several aboveground storage tank failures in the late 1980s. One significant failure occurred in Pennsylvania, where approximately 93,000 barrels of oil were released.
Nearly one-fifth of that release entered the Monongahela River and eventually flowed into the Ohio River. The resulting environmental and economic damage prompted the industry to establish better inspection and maintenance practices.
Published in 1991, API 653 was initially developed as a set of maintenance procedures for aboveground oil storage tanks. It soon became the international standard for aboveground storage tank inspection and maintenance.
Although catastrophic tank failures helped drive the creation of API 653, the standard is designed to evaluate a tank’s overall fitness for continued operation. Inspections consider factors such as corrosion rates and the structural soundness of the tank rather than simply attempting to predict the likelihood of a failure.
While API 653 was originally developed for the oil storage industry, both The Fertilizer Institute and the EPA recommend API 653 inspection practices for aboveground fertilizer storage tanks.
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Repair or Alteration of a Storage Tank
Section 9 of the API 653 Standard addresses the repair and alteration of aboveground storage tanks. Repair work must be authorized by an API-certified inspector or an engineer experienced in storage tank design.
Section 9 provides requirements for a variety of repair and alteration projects, including:
- Removing or replacing shell plate material
- Installing a door sheet
- Repairing or installing a tank bottom
- Making other structural repairs or alterations
Following API 653 requirements helps ensure that repairs are performed correctly and that the tank remains suitable for continued service.
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Relocation and Reconstruction of a Storage Tank
Section 10 of API 653 addresses the relocation and reconstruction of aboveground storage tanks. Before reconstruction begins, the work must be authorized by an API-certified inspector or an engineer experienced in storage tank design.
Section 10 provides guidance for the reconstruction process, including:
- Dismantling the various components of the tank
- Identifying and marking tank components
- Maintaining proper alignment during reconstruction
- Reconstructing the tank
- Testing dimensional tolerances after reconstruction
Following these procedures helps ensure that a reconstructed tank meets the appropriate dimensional and structural requirements.
Get Your Inspection Scheduled Today
Heartland Tank Services employs licensed API 653 inspectors to help ensure your tank’s continued safety, viability, and long service life.
We can guide you through the inspection process, identify potential problems, and help you keep your tank in service for years to come.
Contact Heartland Tank Services today to discuss your next API 653 inspection.