API 653 - Study Guide Flash Card – 67 Questions
1. API publications necessarily address problems of what type?
Problems of a general nature. (Special notes section)
2. API Standard 653 covers in-service tanks built to what standards?
This standard covers storage tanks built to API 650 and its predecessor API 12C.
(1.1.1)
3. What API Standard always governs for tanks that have been placed in-service?
In the case of apparent conflicts between the requirements of this standard
and API 650 or its predecessor API 12C, API 653 shall govern for tanks that have
been placed in-service. (1.1.2)
4. API Standard 653 employs the design principles of what standard?
This standard employs the principles of API 650. (1.1.3)
5. When design and construction details are not given and are not available in the
standard to which the in service tank was originally constructed, then details that will
provide a level of integrity equal to the level provided by the current edition of which
standard must be used?
The current edition of API 650 must be used. (1.1.5)
6. Who has the ultimate responsibility for complying with the provisions of API 653?
The owner/operator. (1.2)
7. The inspector agency of the jurisdiction in which the aboveground storage tank is
operated is called what?
Authorized inspection agency (3.3)
8. An employee of an authorized inspection agency certified as an AST inspector per
API 653 Appendix D, is known as what?
Authorized inspector (3.4)
9. What is the total metal loss divided by the period of time over which the metal loss
occurred?
Corrosion rate (3.9)
10. What is the definition of a "repair" to a tank?
Work necessary to maintain or restore a tank to a condition suitable for safe
operation. (3.24)
11. What must be done when the results of a tank inspection show that a change has
occurred from the original physical condition of that tank?
An evaluation shall be made to determine its suitability for continued use.
(4.1.1)
12. What must be done when the cone roof tank roof plates corrode to an average
2
thickness of less than 0.09" in any 100 in area?
Shall be repaired or replaced. (4.2.1.2)
13. What section of API 653 must be considered when changing the service of a tank to
operation at temperatures above 200ºF?
All requirements of API 650, Appendix M. (4.2.4.3)
14. What form of corrosion does not normally represent a significant threat to the
overall structural integrity of the tank shell unless it is present in a severe and
numerous form?
Pitting (4.3.1.3)
15. When can widely scattered pits inside the tank shell be ignored?
Provided that: a) no pit depth results in the remaining shell thickness being less
than one-half the minimum acceptable tank shell thickness exclusive of the
corrosion allowance; and b) the sum of their dimensions along any vertical line
does not exceed 2 in. in an 8-in. length (see Figure 4.2). (4.3.2.2).
16. A tank of a single butt-weld with a back-up bar construction, built to an unknown
standard in 1940 is inspected. Corrosion is general and an evaluation of the tank's
minimum thickness is required. What joint factor would you use?
E = 0.85. (Table 4.2)
17. What can foundation settlement cause to appear in the shell of an AST?
Shell distortions. (4.3.5.2, 4.3.5.3)
18. Unless a stress analysis is performed, what is the minimum bottom plate thickness
in the critical zone of the tank bottom?
The smaller of one-half the original bottom plate thickness or 50 % of tmin of
the lower shell course, but not less than 0.1 in. (4.4.5.4)
19. An AST operating at 250ºF is evaluated for continuing service. The inspector checks
the tank records and finds that the tank was originally built of ASTM A516 Grade 60.
What allowable stress should the inspector use in evaluation the minimum thicknesses
of the tank's shell?
32,000 * 0.80 = 25,600 (4.3.10.1.1a or Table 4.1)
20. A six-year old storage tank is inspected. The tank has a diameter of 125-foot and
its maximum liquid level height is 40-foot. The tank was constructed of ASTM A283
Grade C steel. The product stored in the tank has a specific gravity of 0.85. What is
the tmin for the lower shell course plate?
tmin = (2.6HDG)/(SE) = (2.6 x 40 x 125 x 0.85)/(23600 x 1) = (11050)/(23600) =
0.468" (4.3.3.1)
21. An AST that has a diameter of 121-foot and a height of 40-foot (five 8-foot courses).
Its bottom shell course has a thickness of 0.55" and a corrosion allowance of 0.1". The
tank is built from ASTM A283 Grade C CS. It has a joint efficiency of 0.85. The tank is
to be hydrostatically tested. Determine the hydrostatic test height. Round to nearest
100th of a foot.
Ht = ((St E tmin)/(2.6D)) + 1 = ((26,0000.850.55)/(2.6*121)) +1 =
(12155/314.6)+1 = 39.64-foot (4.3.3.2)
22. What is the risk of brittle facture failure in continued service after a tank has
demonstrated the ability to withstand the combined effects of maximum liquid level
(highest stress) and lowest operating temperature without failing... great, minimal or
average?
Minimal (5.2.2)
23. Using Figure 5.2 of API 653, determine the lowest temperature that a tank
constructed from Carbon Steel of unknown toughness may be used if its maximum shell
thickness is 0.75"
55ºF (Table 5.2)
24. The external condition of storage tanks shall be monitored by close visual
inspection from the ground on a routine basis. The inspection can be done by
owner/operator personnel, and can be done by other Authorized inspector. The
interval of such inspections shall not exceed how many months?
The interval of such inspections shall be consistent with conditions at the
particular site, but shall not exceed one month. (6.3.1.2)
25. External ultrasonic thickness measurements of the shell, when used and when the
corrosion rate is not known, are taken at intervals not to exceed how many years?
When the corrosion rate is not known, the maximum interval shall be five-years.
(6.3.3.2)
26. Who assures the quality and completeness of NDE results obtained during a formal
internal inspection of an in service AST?
The authorized inspector (6.4.1.2)
27. The initial internal inspection interval for an AST shall not exceed how many years
(excluding RBI analysis)?
10 years (6.4.2.1)
28. Name the three types of records the owner/operator is required to keep for AST's
Construction records,
Inspection history, and
Repair/alteration history.
(6.8.1)
29. If existing plates are to be used to reconstruct a tank, the plates shall be checked
for what conditions?
They shall be checked for excessive corrosion and pitting (see Section 4 and
Section 6). (7.3.4)
30. New weld joint details on a reconstructed tank shall meet the welding
requirements of what standard?
Weld joint details shall meet the welding requirements of the current
applicable standard. (8.2.1)
31. Shell penetrations on reconstructed tanks shall be designed, detailed, welded and
examined to meet the requirements of what standard?
Replacement and new penetrations shall be designed, detailed, welded, and
examined to meet the requirements of the current applicable standard. (8.5.1)
32. All repair work on an AST must be authorized by whom before commencement of
work?
By the authorized inspector or an engineer experienced in storage tank design
(9.1.3)
33. The minimum dimension for a replacement shell plate is?
12 in. or 12 times the thickness of the replacement plate, whichever is greater.
(9.2.2.1)
34. Are lap patch shell repairs permitted at all in API 653?
Lapped patch shell repairs are an acceptable form of repair for butt-welded,
lap-welded, and riveted tank shells, under the conditions outlined in 9.3.2,
9.3.3, and 9.3.4 (9.3.1)
35. Lapped patch plates shall not have a thickness less than how many inches?
Smaller of 1/2" or thickness of plate adjacent to repair, but not less than 3/16"
(9.3.1.3)
36. What is the maximum vertical and horizontal dimension of a lapped patch repair
plate per API 653?
48" x 72" = 4-foot x 6-foot. Min is 4". (9.3.1.7)
37. What NDE techniques must be applied prior to application of a lapped patch shell
repair?
The areas to be welded shall be checked for plate defects and remaining
thicknesses by ultrasonic testing (9.3.1.9)
38. When a reinforcement plate is used with a penetration, the minimum diameter of
the insert plate shall be determined how?
The minimum diameter of the insert plate shall equal the diameter of
the reinforcing plate plus 12 in. (9.8.6b)
39. What is the minimum dimension of a welded-on patch plate that overlaps a bottom
seam on a tank bottom?
12" (9.10.1.1a)
40. What is the maximum thickness of a welded-on patch plate that is used to make a
bottom repair within the critical zone?
1/4" (9.10.1.2a)
41. What are some examples of a suitable non-corrosive material cushion that shall be
used between an old and a new tank bottom?
Sand, gravel, concrete. (9.10.2.1.1)
42. What method of repair is acceptable for external floating roofs?
Any method that will restore to a condition to perform as required (9.12.1)
43. What is the minimum height of a tank liquid above a tank shell hot tap location
during the hot tapping operation?
At least 3-foot (9.14.1.2)
44. Tanks and their structural attachments shall be welded in accordance with the
processes specified in which standards?
API 650 (10.4.2.2)
45. May welding be performed during the reconstruction of a tank if the temperature
of the base metal is less than 32ºF?
Yes, base metal 3" from start of weld should be heated until is warm to the
touch (140ºF) before welding. No welding below 0ºF (10.4.2.3)
46. On a reconstructed tank, according to API 653, reinforcement of new welds on all
butt-joints on each side of the plate shall not exceed the following, for plate thickness
< 1/2", the maximum reinforcement thickness for 'vertical' joint is what?
3/32" (Table 10.1)
47. During reconstruction of a tank shell with plate thickness 5/8" or less,
misalignment in completed vertical joints shall not exceed what dimension?
1/16" (10.4.4.1)
48. A reconstructed tank with a height of 36-foot and a diameter of 100-foot is
checked for out-of-plumbness. What is the calculated maximum out-of-plumbness?
(36*12)/100 = 4.32", No greater than 5". (10.5.2.1)
49. For AST's, welding procedure specifications (WPS) and welders and welding
operators shall be qualified in accordance with what ASME standard?
ASME Section IX (11.1.1)
50. The welder of welding operator's identifications mark shall be hand or machine-
stamped along the completed welds on reconstructed tanks. What is the interval
spacing in feet?
3-foot (11.2.2)
51. For AST's, NDT examinations shall be performed in accordance with which API
standards?
API 650 (12.1.1.1)
52. What are you looking for when you check the immediate area of an addition of a
reinforcing plate to an existing penetration?
UT examination of shell plate for laminations (12.1.2.1)
53. For AST's what NDE technique shall be used to check completed welds attaching
nozzle neck to shell, and reinforcing plate to shell and to nozzle neck?
Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant (12.1.2.3)
54. An inspector is responsible for inspecting a new shell plate that is joined to
another new shell plate. What inspection method(s) is/are required by API 653?
Radiography (12.1.5.2)
55. Upon completion of a welding on a tank bottom, the plates and the entire length
of new welds for tank bottom plates shall be examined by what NDE technique to
check for any potential defects and leaks?
Visually (12.1.7.1)
56. Repaired vertical joints in existing shell plates shall have how many additional
radiographs taken at each joint?
One additional at each joint (12.2.1.1.2)
57. What is the minimum number of radiographs required, when a new or replacement
circular insert plate is butt-welded to the shell?
A minimum of 1 radiograph (12.2.1.6.1)
58. If you see a "R" on a radiograph and radiograph records, what does the "R" signify?
Repaired welds (12.2.3.2)
59. When a reconstructed tank and any tank that has undergone major repairs or
major alterations, it shall have a full hydrostatic test. How long is that hydrostatic test
held (hrs.)?
24hrs (12.3.1)
60. What steps and documentation is required by API 653 in order to exempt a major
repair or alteration of a tank from hydrostatic testing?
Engineer and owner/operator must authorize in writing (12.3.2.2)
61. When tanks are reconstructed in accordance with API 653, what attachment is
required to be attached to the tank?
A corrosion resistant metal nameplate with reconstructed data (13.1.1.1)
62. When should a monitoring program to determine the effects of settlement on
storage tanks be initiated?
At construction and continued during hydrostatic testing and operation (B1.1)
63. What steps should be taken if at any time the settlement of a tank is deemed to
be excessive?
Empty and re-level (B1.2)
64. When taking tank settlement readings internally across the bottom of a tank (tank
is out-of-service), what is the maximum spacing of the points along the tank diameter?
32-foot spacing (Fig B.2)
65. What type of settlement (more than all the others) should be evaluated to ensure
the structural integrity of the shell and bottom of the tank?
Out-of-plane settlement (B2.2.4)
66. An API 653 inspector must satisfy the API criteria for education and experience.
How many years experience is required if the inspector has a high school diploma?
3 years (D2.1.1)
67. After an inspector has been certified, the inspector must demonstrate knowledge
if revisions to API 653 after how many years from the inspector's initial certification
date?
6 years (D.5.3)
