WELDED TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE 7-7

2) If sufficient water to fill the tank is not available, the tank may be tested by (1) painting all of the joints on the
inside with a highly penetrating oil, such as automobile spring oil, and carefully examining the outside of the
joints for leakage; (2) applying vacuum to either side of the joints or applying internal air pressure as specified
for the roof test in 7.3.7 and carefully examining the joints for leakage; or (3) using any combination of the
methods stipulated in 7.3.5, Subitems 1 and 2.

7.3.6 Hydrostatic Testing Requirements

7.3.6.1 This hydrostatic test of the tank shall be conducted before permanent external piping is connected to the
tank. Attachments to the shell defined in 5.8.1.1, located at least 1 m (3 ft) above the water level, and roof
appurtenances may be welded during the filling of the tank. After completion of the hydro-test, only non-structural
small attachments may be welded to the tank in accordance with 7.2.1.12. Any welded joints above the test-water
level shall be examined for leakage by one of the following methods:

1) applying a highly penetrating oil on all interior weld joints, e.g. automobile spring oil, and carefully examining the
outside of the joints for leakage;

2) applying vacuum to either side of the joints or applying internal air pressure as specified for the roof test in 7.3.7
and carefully examining the joints for leakage; or

3) using any combination of the methods stipulated in Subitems 1 and 2.

7.3.6.2 The Manufacturer shall be responsible for the following.

1) Preparing the tank for testing. This shall include removal of all trash, debris, grease, oil, weld scale, weld
spatter, and any other foreign matter from the interior and the roof(s) of the tank.

● 2) Furnishing, laying, and removing all lines from the water source tie-in location and to the water disposal point as
prescribed on the Data Sheet, Line 14.

● 3) Filling and emptying the tank. (See 1.3 for Purchaser responsibility to obtain any required permits for disposal of
water.)

● 4) Cleaning, rinsing, drying, or other prescribed activity, if specified on Data Sheet, Line 14, following the hydro-
test to make the tank ready for operation.

● 5) Taking settlement measurements (unless explicitly waived by the Purchaser on the Data Sheet, Line 14).

6) Furnishing all other test materials and facilities, including blinds, bolting, and gaskets (see 4.9).

● 7) Checking the wind girders for proper drainage during or following the hydro-test. If water is retained, additional
drainage shall be provided subject to the Purchaser’s approval.

● 7.3.6.3 The Purchaser shall be responsible for the following.

1) Furnishing and disposing of the water for hydro-testing the tank from the water source tie-in location as
designated on the Data Sheet, Line 14. If biocide or caustic additions are specified to the Manufacturer, the
Purchaser is responsible for determining or identifying disposal restrictions on the treated water.

2) Specifying the test water quality. Potable water is preferred for hydro-testing. This does not preclude the use of
condensate, reverse osmosis water, well water, river water, or sea water. The Purchaser shall consider issues
such as low temperature brittle fracture, freeze damage, amount of suspended solids, sanitation issues, animal/
plant incubation and/or growth, acidity, general corrosion, pitting, protecting against cathodic cells,
microbiologically-induced corrosion, material dependent sensitivity to trace chemical attack, disposal, rinsing,
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 7-8 API STANDARD 650

and residuals left in the tank after emptying. If the Purchaser-supplied test water causes corrosion, the
Purchaser is responsible for the required repairs.

3) For the following metallurgies, describe on the Data Sheet, Line 14, (using a Supplemental Specification) any
additional restrictions on the water quality.

a) Carbon Steel—For carbon steel equipment where water contact exceeds 14 days, including filling and
draining (e.g. consider adding an oxygen scavenger and a biocide, and raise the pH by the addition of
caustic).

b) Stainless Steel—See Annex S.

c) Aluminum Components—See Annex H.

7.3.6.4 For carbon and low-alloy steel tanks, the tank metal temperature during hydrostatic testing shall not be
colder than the design metal temperature per Figure 4.1, as long as the water is prevented from freezing. The
Manufacturer is responsible for heating the test water, if heating is required, unless stated otherwise on the Data
Sheet, Line 14.

● 7.3.6.5 The minimum fill and discharge rate, if any, shall be specified by the Purchaser on the Data Sheet, Line 23.
When settlement measurements are specified by the Purchaser, the maximum filling rates shall be as follows, unless
otherwise restricted by the requirements in 5.8.5.

Water Filling Rate

Bottom Course Thickness Tank Portion Maximum Filling Rate

– Top course 300 mm (12 in.)/hr

Less than 22 mm (7/8 in.)
– Below top course 460 mm (18 in.)/hr

– Top third of tank 230 mm (9 in.)/hr

22 mm (7/8 in.) and thicker – Middle third of tank 300 (12 in.)/hr

– Bottom third of tank 460 (18 in.)/hr

Filling may continue while elevation measurements are being made as long as the change in water elevation for a set
of readings does not exceed 300 mm (12 in.). Unless waived on the Data Sheet, the Manufacturer shall make shell
elevation measurements in accordance with the following.

a) Shell elevation measurements shall be made at equally-spaced intervals around the tank circumference not
exceeding 10 m (32 ft). The minimum number of shell measurement points shall be eight.

b) Observed elevations shall be referred to a permanent benchmark. The level instrument shall be set up at least
11/2 times tank diameter away from the tank when tank elevation readings are taken. Six sets of settlement
readings are required:

1) Before start of the hydrostatic test;

2) With tank filled to 1/4 test height (±600 mm [2 ft]);

3) With tank filled to 1/2 test height (±600 mm [2 ft]);

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4) With tank filled to 3/4 test height (±600 mm [2 ft]);

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 WELDED TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE 7-9

5) At least 24 hours after the tank has been filled to the maximum test height. This 24-hour period may be
increased to duration specified on the data sheet if the Purchaser so requires for conditions such as:

i. The tank is the first one in the area,

ii. The tank has a larger capacity than any other existing tank in the area,

iii. The tank has a higher unit bearing load than any other existing tank in the area,

iv. There is a question regarding the rate or magnitude of settlement that will take place;

6) After tank has been emptied of test water.

● NOTE The three sets of settlement readings described in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 above may be omitted if specified by the
Purchaser.

7.3.6.6 If settlement measurements are specified by the Purchaser, any differential settlement greater than 13 mm
per 10 m (1/2 in. per 32 ft) of circumference or a uniform settlement over 50 mm (2 in.) shall be reported to the
Purchaser for evaluation. Filling of the tank shall be stopped until cleared by the Purchaser.

7.3.6.7 For floating-roof tanks, the maximum and minimum annular space between the shell and the roof rim plate
prior to initial flotation and at the maximum test fill height shall be measured and recorded.

7.3.6.8 Internal bottom elevation measurements shall be made before and after hydrostatic testing. Measurements
shall be made at maximum intervals of 3 m (10 ft) measured on diametrical lines across the tank. The diametrical
lines shall be spaced at equal angles, with a maximum separation measured at the tank circumference of 10 m (32 ft).
A minimum of four diametrical lines shall be used.

7.3.6.9 All elevation measurements shall be included in the Manufacturer’s Post-Construction Document Package
(see W.1.5).

7.3.7 Testing of the Roof

7.3.7.1 Upon completion, the roof of a tank designed to be gas-tight (except for roofs designed under 7.3.7.2, F.4.4,
and F.7.6) shall be tested by one of the following methods.

a) Applying internal air pressure not exceeding the weight of the roof plates and applying to the weld joints a bubble
solution or other material suitable for the detection of leaks.

b) Vacuum testing the weld joints in accordance with 8.6 to detect any leaks.

● 7.3.7.2 Upon completion, the roof of a tank not designed to be gas-tight, such as a tank with peripheral circulation
vents or a tank with free or open vents, shall receive only visual examination of its weld joints, unless otherwise
specified by the Purchaser.

7.4 Repairs to Welds

● 7.4.1 All defects found in welds shall be called to the attention of the Purchaser’s inspector, and the inspector’s
approval shall be obtained before the defects are repaired. All completed repairs shall be subject to the approval of
the Purchaser’s inspector. Acceptance criteria are specified in 8.2, 8.4, and 8.5, as applicable.

7.4.2 Pinhole leaks or porosity in a tank bottom joint may be repaired by applying an additional weld bead over the
defective area. Other defects or cracks in tank bottom or tank roof (including floating roofs in Annex C) joints shall be
repaired as required by 8.1.7. Mechanical caulking is not permitted.

7.4.3 All defects, cracks, or leaks in shell joints or the shell-to-bottom joint shall be repaired in accordance with 8.1.7.
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Copyright American Petroleum Institute

Provided by IHS under license with API Licensee=BP International/5928366101
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 03/11/2013 21:59:57 MDT