If you own liquid storage tanks, you already know regular API 653 inspections are part of protecting your investment. An inspection from Heartland Tank Services will help protect your tank from corrosion, distortion, and structural integrity.
This guide walks through the API 653 inspection process from start to finish. It’s built to help you:
Get prepared ahead of time;
Know what to expect during the inspection;
Understand the results once it’s complete.
We will give you a clear picture of where your tank stands and what comes next.
When Should You Schedule an Inspection?
Heartland Tank Services adheres to The Fertilizer Institute’s recommendation of a formal API 653 tank inspection every 5 years.
This schedule generally covers all state and insurance requirements. Heartland Tank Services keeps track of all state inspection requirements and will gladly help you determine when your state laws require an inspection be completed.
The API 653 Standard also requires routine monthly external in-service “Walk Around” Inspections. These inspections are conducted by the tank owner, leaving the scheduling up to the needs and uniqueness of each tank operation.
If you own a tank with an internal liners, Heartland Tank Services also recommends a weekly leak monitor check.
Cleaning Your Tank Prior to an Inspection
Fertilizer product is corrosive and gradually eats away at the containment walls of a tank and slowly degrades a tank’s structural integrity. It also leaves behind hardened scale deposits that often conceal corrosion damage beneath.
It is vital that damage and degradation is noticed during inspections. To ensure this, it is crucial that a tank is properly cleaned prior to an inspector coming on site. In addition, cleaning disrupts the corrosion environment, buying more time in your tank’s life by causing the corrosion process to reset and restart.
Do it yourself cleanings are used to keep costs down. The drawback to this approach is the tank may not be cleaned to the specifications required for an inspection. The tank may be cleaner than before, but not clean enough to inspect. This may also cause unnecessary tension between the inspection team and tank owner if the inspector is unable to perform an inspection.
Professional cleanings are the standard recommended by Heartland Tank Services. These teams have the knowledge and specialized skill to thoroughly clean a tank for an effective inspection. While the cost is significant, it is less than the cost of unplanned downtime. Small expenses don’t immediately explode into large expenses
What Does a Clean Tank Look Like?
To give tank owners a stronger idea of what constitutes a tank that is properly cleaned, examples from past inspections have been included.
Examples of clean tanks
These tanks are properly and thoroughly cleaned and ready for inspection
What Does an Improperly Cleaned Tank Look Like?
The cleaning for these tanks is not thorough and complete. If your tank resembles any of these examples, your tank is not ready for an effective inspection. Crucial flaws and failures may not be located.
Remember, if we can’t see it, we can’t diagnose it!
Excessive scale build up along the inside chime well. This is considered a critical zone of the tank due to it being the highest pressure area inside the tank.
Product still remaining
in floor sump
Product residue still present on top of floor plates
Liquid still present in the weld seams
What the Inspection Team Will Look For
To keep your tank in strong working condition, the inspection team will examine the tank and foundation for the following:
Evidence of leaks
Shell distortions
Signs of settlement
Corrosion
Condition of the foundation
Condition of the paint coatings
Condition of any insulation systems
Condition of appurtenances
API 653 Inspector
Jennifer Selke
Inspection Division Coordinator
jselke@heartlandtankservices.com
(800)-774-3230 ext. 103
