Page 1 of 15

API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction

Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
653 !3!!" 653-I-#"$#% &o! Si' inc(es applies to outer)ost ri*et a+ay ,ro) t(e -oint
653 General .oes API 653 include require)ents ,or a/andon)ent o, tanks0 No.
653 General
653 3rd General 653-I-05/06
653 3rd 9.3.1.7 653-I-06/06
653 3rd general 653-I-07/06
1nd - .ec!
"225
SE3TI4& ! !3!!"
5oint e,,iciencies ,or ri*eted tank s(ells6 E 7 "!# ,or s(ell plate 6 in! or
)ore a+ay ,ro) ri*ets!
Q8ESTI4&9 :o+ do I (a*e to interpret t(is0
Is t(e ,i;ure /elo+ correct0, i, so, (o+ )any ri*et ro+s do t(is -oint to
(a*e ,or E 7 "!
2nd - Dec.
1995
2nd - Dec.
1995
.o a/o*e;round stora;e tanks +it( capacity o, "#,### /arrels or less
require an API 653 inspection0
No. API 653 applies o an!s "#il in accordance $i% API 650 and
is predecessor 12& $i% no red#cion in si'e. API 650 is designed
for an!s in oil sorage ser(ices. API 650 can "e #sed for o%er
applicaions as )a* "e re+#ired "* %e an! o$ner/operaor or
,#risdicional re+#ire)ens. API 653 can "e #sed for inspecion of
an!s in o%er ser(ices. -#risdicional re+#ire)ens )a* specif*
insr#cion per API 653.
Question "9
.oes API 653 require e*aluation o, inspection results to /e in
accordance +it( t(e as-/uilt standard0
Question 1
.oes API 653 require repairs to /e per,or)ed in-accordance to t(e
current applica/le standard0
Ans$er 1.
No/ %ere are specific re+#ire)ens for %e e(al#aion of inspecion
res#ls in )an* secions of API 653 and %ere is no a general r#le
for %e e(al#aion of inspecion res#ls.
Ans$er 2.
No/ %ere are specific re+#ire)ens for %e repairs of an!
co)ponens in %e differen secions of API 653 and %ere is no a
general r#le for %e repairs perfor)ed on an! co)ponens.
Question "9
.o t(e restrictions ,or tank s(ell patc( plates, )a'i)u) <= > %1=,
outlined in API 653 Section 2!3!"!% apply to tank /otto)s0
Question 19
.oes API 653 require t(e re)o*al o, e'istin; patc( plates on t(e tank
/otto) t(at do not co)ply +it( t(e current require)ents o, API 6530
Ans$er 1.
No0 refer o API 653 1ecion 9.10.
Ans$er 2.
API 653 does no co(er %is specific si#aion/ refer o API 653
1ecions 1.1.5 and 1.1.6.
?(en a portion o, a s(ell plate is replaced ad-acent to a *ertical +eld
sea), )ay t(e replace)ent plate ter)inate at t(e *ertical +eld sea)0
No/ refer o API 653 1ecion 9.2.2.1 and 2ig#re 9-1. 3epair plae
insered in a an! s%ell plae )a* no %a(e (erical $eld sea) in an
e4ising (erical $eld.
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
Page 2 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 3rd
653 General 653-I-06/01
653 3rd Dec 2001 General 653-I-01/06
653 3rd Dec 2001 General 653-I-06/06
3an a patc( plate /e +elded to t(e /otto) +it(in 6 inc(es o, t(e s(ell0 No #nless i is a o)" sone design. 3efer o 2ig#re 9-5
653 3rd Dec 2001 General 653-I-03/06
No, Refer to API 510
653 1.1 653-I-10/97
653 1.1.1 653-I-12/03
653 1.5 653-I-06/99
653 6.2.6 653-I-10/00 8es. 1ee 1ecions 1.1.5 and 6.2.6.3.
2nd - Dec.
1995
@i*en t(at an inspection in accordance +it( API 653 is pendin; ,or
selected tanks constructed in accordance +it( t(e %t( Edition o, API
65#, are t(ese tanks required /y API 653 to /e up;raded to )eet t(e
require)ents o, current edition o, API 65#0
No. 9o$e(er/ if %ere is a c%ange in ser(ice in(ol(ed/ or %ere is a
reconsr#cion/ repair/ or aleraion re+#ired/ %en %e re+#ire)ens
in 653 generall* in(o!e %e c#rren ediion of 650 for %e
e(al#aion/consr#cion $or! re+#ired. 3efer o %e appropriae
secions in 653.
Question "9 3an an entire replace)ent /otto) /e placed directly on top o,
t(e e'istin; /otto)0 Question 19 3an a sin;le /otto) plate /e o*erlaid0
Ans$er 1. No. 3efer o API 1ecion 9.10.2.1.1 and 2ig#re 9-5-Noe
3. Ans$er 2. 8es/ pro(ided %e $eld spacing re+#ire)ens
defined in 2ig#re 9-5 are )e.
?e (a*e a copy o, an API standard no! 653, 3
rd
edition addendu) " in
Septe)/er 1##3! I +as tryin; to ,ollo+ t(e procedure ,or deter)inin; t(e t
)in ,or our tank! T(e )aterial is SA-1<53 +(ic( I didnAt see in t(e ta/le
,or )a'i)u) allo+a/le stresses! Also, t(is is a pressure *essel "##psi!
2nd - Dec.
1995
2or ri(eed an!s/ %e r#les in %e original code of consr#cion
s%o#ld "e applied for iss#es no co(ered in API 653 :see 1ecion
1.1.5;. <%er$ise/ all of %e applica"le r#les in API 653 appl*.
Noe %a %e )ini)#) %ic!ness calc#laion for a ri(eed an! s%ell
is co(ered in 1ecion 6.3.6.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Is this procedure for both pressure and non-pressure vessels? I dont see a pressure component in the formula.
API 653 onl* applies o an!s %a %a(e "een "#il and placed in
ser(ice :see 1.1.1;. =%erefore/ %e an! $ill need o co)pl* $i% all
of %e re+#ire)ens of API 650.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 require contractors per,or)in; repairs to (a*e a API 653
certi,ied inspector e)ployed +it( t(e), and i, so, +(ere can t(is /e
,ound in t(e standard0
No. =%e API 653 cerified inspecor need no "e an e)plo*ee if
%e conracor )ees %e re+#ire)ens of 1ecion 1.5.6.
2nd - Dec.
1995
S(all t(e desi;n require)ents o, t(e latest edition o, API 65# /e
considered ,or tanks t(at +ill (a*e t(eir operatin; te)perature
increased a/o*e 1##BC!
Page 3 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 6.2.6 653-I-03/01
653 6.3
653 6.3 3efer o API 653/ 1ecion 6.3.3.1 and 6.3.3.2.
653 6.3.3 No. 3efer o %e op of 1ecion 6.3.1.2.
653 6.3.2.1
653 6.3.3
653 6.3.3 653-I-09/00
653 6.3.3.1 653-I-22/97
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 An e'istin; tank ;reater t(an "## ,t! in dia)eter +it( a lap-
+elded /otto) is currently in (eated ser*ice DE1##FCG! T(is tank is
re)o*ed ,ro) ser*ice ,or a routine internal inspection! .oes t(is tank
(a*e to /e retro,itted +it( an annular rin; per API 65#, Section H!0
Question 19 An e'istin; tank ;reater t(an "## ,t! in dia)eter +it( a lap-
+elded /otto) is /ein; c(an;ed to (eated ser*ice! .oes API 653,
!3!3! require t(is tank to /e retro,itted +it( an annular rin; per API
65#, H!!"0 4r is it accepta/le to e*aluate t(e tank per H!!1 to
deter)ine i, stresses, )ini)u) ,ill (ei;(t, and ,ill$e)pty cycles +ill /e
accepta/le +it( t(e e'istin; lap +elded /otto)0
3epl* 1. 8es. 1ee 1ecions 1.1.5 and 6.2.6.3.
3epl* 2. 8es. 1ee 1ecions 1.1.5 and 6.2.6.3.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, i, t(e corroded t(ickness in a /otto) course is
/elo+ t(e )ini)u) t(ickness allo+ed per Section !3, )ust t(e
corroded portion o, t(e /otto) course /e re)o*ed and replaced /y a
ne+ plate0
8es/ #nless a pac% plae repair is pro(ided in accordance $i%
1ecion 9.3. All re+#ire)ens of 1ecion 9.3 )#s "e )e/ incl#ding
o"aining %e o$ner appro(al and co)pl*ing $i% %e 1/2 in. li)i
on s%ell plae %ic!ness.
1s - -an.
1991
?(at in,or)ation is required to deter)ine t(e ,ill (ei;(t accordin; to
API 6530
1s - -an.
1991
?ill t(e e*aluation o, t(e calculations require a certi,ied API 653
inspector0
2nd - Dec.
1995
:o+ do you classi,y Icorroded areas o, considera/le siJeI -- Section
!3!1!"0 Is t(ere a siJe li)it ,or t(is corroded area0 I, so, +(at are
t(ese li)its0 I, not, +(y not0
I is no specificall* defined/ "# an area larger %an %a defined in
6.3.2.2 $o#ld "e considered a corroded area of considera"le si'e.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes t(e criteria to settle t(e )ini)u) t(ickness Dt
)in
-- Section !3!3G
calculation ,or +elded tank s(ell apply only ,or a local corroded area0 I,
so, +(at are t(e li)its ,or t(is local area0 3an t(at criteria /e applied
+(en t(ere is a uni,or) corroded area alon; all t(e tank course0 In t(is
particular case, +ould t
"
/e equal to t
1
0
I is a general li)i %a applies ei%er o a locall* corroded area or
o a #nifor)l* corroded area.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 ?(en e*aluatin; t(e retire)ent t(ickness in a corroded
plate a+ay ,ro) +elds at a distance o, at least t(e ;reater o, one inc( or
t+ice t(e plate t(ickness, is t(e *alue o, E7"!# to /e used0
Question 19 I, t(e *alue o, E ,or an e'istin; tank is less t(an "!#, s(ould
t(is *alue ,or E /e used in calculatin; t(e )ini)u) required t(ickness
o, t(e tank0
3epl* 1. 8es.
3epl* 2. 8es.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.id API intend to reduce t(e operatin; (ei;(t o, tanks +(en t(e ,or)ula
in !3!3!" +as c(an;ed to eli)inate t(e ter) I:-"I and replace it +it( t(e
ter) I:I0
No. =%e inen $as o re+#ire %e )ini)#) re+#ired %ic!ness of a
locall* corroded area of %e an! s%ell "e "ased on %e ac#al
%eig% of li+#id a"o(e %e corroded area. =%e reire)en %ic!ness
of a s%ell co#rse $as o "e "ased on %e one-foo )e%od as
descri"ed in API 650.
Page 6 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 6.6.1
653 6.6.5 653-I-07/97
653 6.6.7.1 653-I-06/00
653 6.6.7 653-I-09/03
653 6
653 6.2 No.
653 6.2.6.3 653-I-12/01
653 6.3 653-I-02/03 No. 3>I can "e applied o inernal inspecion iner(als onl*.
653 6.3 653-I-09/03 No. 3>I can "e applied o inernal inspecion iner(als onl*.
653 6.3.1.2 653-I-07/01 No. 1ee 6.3.1.2.
653 6.3.2 653-I-26/97 No/ #nless sings of lea!age or da)age are e(iden..
1s - -an.
1991
.oes API 653 per)it t(e use o, leak detection procedures to -usti,y
e'tendin; inspection inter*als /eyond t(at deter)ined /y corrosion
rates0
No. API 653/ 1ecion 6.6.1/ does re+#ire periodic assess)en of
an! "oo) inegri* %a co#ld #se lea! deecion daa o s%oren
%e inspecion daa.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes t(e de,inition o, RPK Dsee API 653, Section !!5, or API 65#,
Appendi' I, Section "!", &ote "G include a t(in or rein,orced t(ick ,il)
linin; applied to t(e topside o, a tank /otto) in con,or)ance to API RP
6510
No. =%e inen is %a %e 3P> "e posiioned o#side %e an! for
%e p#rpose of pre(ening %e escape of cona)inaed )aerial and
c%anneling released )aerial for lea! deecion. An inernal lining
$o#ld no saisf* %is p#rpose.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 require t(at tank /otto) e'pected ser*ice li,e calculations
,or a /otto), t(at (as /een repaired +it( patc( plates ,illet-+elded o*er
areas o, underside pittin;, /e /ased on t(e corrosion rate D8P
r
G o, t(e
repaired areas or t(e unrepaired areas0
3efer o API 653/ 1ecion 6.6.7.1. =%e las paragrap% in %e ?Noe@
in %is paragrap% re+#ires %e #se of %e corrosion rae of %e
corroded area "e #sed/ #nless %e ca#se of %e corrosion is
re)o(ed in $%ic% case %e corrosion rae of %e #nrepaired area
can "e #sed.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Kack;round9 T(is inquiry addresses t(e tec(nical correctness o, t(e
note to Ta/le - o, API 653! T(e e,,ect o, co)paction -ust inside t(e
rin;-+ell does not produce stress le*els o, i;norance /ecause t(e
annular plate can /rid;e o*er a (ollo+ /and o, settle)ent! Kendin;
stresses at t(e ed;e o, t(e rin;-+all /eco)e si;ni,icant +(en t(e ,ill
inside t(e rin;-+all per)its a lar;e +idt( Dtoo e'tensi*e to /rid;eG or t(e
+(ole ,loor to dis( and settle /elo+ t(e le*el o, t(e rin;-+all!
Question9 .oes t(e co))ittee consider t(e &ote to Ta/le - is
)isleadin; a/out +(at (appens in t(is )ost critical area o, a tanks
structure and i, not t(en +(y not0
No. D#e o li)ied co))iee reso#rces/ API canno respond o
+#esions see!ing %e raionale for re+#ire)ens in is sandards.
=%ese re+#ire)ens are "ased #pon consideraion of ec%nical
daa and %e ,#dg)en and s!ill of e4perienced engineering and
ec%nical personnel represening "o% #sers and )an#fac#rers
$%o ser(e on %e sandards-$riing co))iees.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 require t(at t(e aut(oriJed inspector /e p(ysically present
at t(e inspection site and (a*e "st-(and kno+led;e o, all aspects o, t(e
tank inspection0
8es/ refer o 1ecion 6.3.2.1 and 6.6.1.2/ concerning %e periodic
e4ernal and inernal inspecions. 9o$e(er/ %e a#%ori'ed
inspecor is no re+#ired o "e presen for %e ro#ine in-ser(ice
inspecions re+#ired in 1ecion 6.3.1.1.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 speci,y t(e ti)e ,ra)e ,or leak detection /et+een internal
inspections0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Section 6!1!!3 is clear on t(e require)ents ,or c(an;in; a tank to
operate at a te)perature a/o*e 1##FC! :o+ s(ould Section !3!3!" /e
applied to tanks t(at are and (a*e /een ,or so)e ti)e operatin; at
te)peratures a/o*e 1##FC0
=%e co))iee c#rrenl* %as an agenda ie) o s#d* %is
+#esion. An* c%anges res#ling fro) %is agenda ie) $ill appear
in a f##re addend#) or ediion o API 653.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Re,errin; to Sections 6!3 and 6!, can risk /ased inspection DRKIG /e
applied to deter)ine t(e e'ternal inspection inter*al o, a tank0
3rd - Dec.
2001
3an risk /ased inspection DRKIG /e applied to deter)ine t(e e'ternal
inspection inter*al o, a tank0
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 pro*ide ,or e'tendin; t(e inter*als ,or routine in-ser*ice
inspections ,or tanks desi;ned and constructed to API 65# +(en in
ser*ices suc( as +ater or plastic pellet stora;e0
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 require t(e insulation co*erin; ,lan;es to /e re)o*ed ,or
periodic inspections0
Page 5 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 6.3.2 653-I-12/99
653 6.3.3
653 6.3.3 653-I-07/97
653 6.3.3.3 No.
653 6.6.1.2 653-I-05/02
653 6.6.2 653-I-03/02 8es.
653 6.6.2.2 653-I-07/97
653 6.6.3 653-I-07/03
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653, Section 6!3!1, indicate +(en t(e 5-year e'ternal
inspection inter*al is to /e )easured ,ro), e!;! t(e date last inspected,
t(e date on t(e last inspection report, or t(e date put /ack in ser*ice0
=%e inspecion iner(al is o "e )eas#red fro) %e dae of %e las
inspecion. 1ee API 653/ 1ecion 6.3.2.1.
1s - -an.
1991
.oes API 653, Section 6!3!3 require ultrasonic t(ickness readin;s on t(e
tank s(ell0
No. A= e4a)inaion is per)ied "# no re+#ired for %e e4ernal
inspecion.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section 6!3, does t(is Section, includin; Section
6!3!3, e*er require an internal ultrasonic e'a)ination o, t(e tank
/otto)0
No. =%is secion is addressing e4ernal inspecion $%ile %e an! is
in ser(ice/ and %erefore/ $o#ld no re+#ire e4a)inaion of %e an!
"oo). 9o$e(er/ paric#lar o"ser(aions )a* s#gges %a %e
an! "oo) "e e4a)ined/ s#c% as for signs of inernal s%ell
corrosion near %e an! "oo).
2nd - Dec.
1995
I, t(e internal inspection is used as a su/stitute ,or t(e e'ternal
ultrasonic t(ickness )easure)ents Dper 6!3!3!3G, are ultrasonic
t(ickness readin;s required durin; t(e internal inspection0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Kack;round9 Ro/otic inspection, +(ic( does not require an internal
entry into t(e tank to collect data, is /ein; pro)oted as a +ay to co)ply
+it( t(e internal inspection require)ents o, API 653, Section 6!!
Curt(er)ore, clai)s are /ein; )ade t(at no internal inspection is
required ,or periods e'ceedin; 1# years i, t(e pro*isions o, 6!!3 are
in*oked! T(is essentially +ould allo+ a co*ered tank to operate ,or a
period e'ceedin; 1# years +it(out an internal inspection!
Question "9 Hay on-strea) inspection )et(ods includin; ro/otics /e
used as a su/stitute ,or internal inspections0
Question 19 Hay t(e internal inspection inter*al e'ceed 1# years /ased
upon t(e principles o, RKI usin; ro/otic inspection, solely, as t(e
)eans ,or acco)plis(in; t(e Iinternal inspectionI!
3epl* 1. =%e co))iee c#rrenl* %as an agenda ie) o s#d* %is
+#esion. An* c%anges res#ling fro) %is agenda ie) $ill appear
in a f##re addend#) or ediion o API 653.
3epl* 2. =%e co))iee c#rrenl* %as an agenda ie) o s#d* %is
+#esion. An* c%anges res#ling fro) %is agenda ie) $ill appear
in a f##re addend#) or ediion o API 653.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Re,errin; to API 653, Sections 6!!1!1 Dlast sentenceG and 6!!3 D5t(
sentenceG, do t(ey )ean to;et(er t(at t(e inspection inter*al s(all not
e'ceed 1# years unless an RKI assess)ent is per,or)ed to support an
e'tension0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section 6!!1!1, +(en corrosion rates are not
kno+n, DaG )ust an inspection /e per,or)ed +it(in ten years a,ter a tank
(as /een put into ser*ice0, and D/G is it accepta/le to per,or) t(e
inspection in t(e nint( year o, operation0
:a; =%e inspecion )#s "e perfor)ed $i%in 10 *ears of operaion/
$i% %e saring dae for %e en-*ear period deer)ined "* $%en
%e re+#ire)ens of API 653 are 1s applied/ ei%er "* ,#risdicion
or "* #ser polic*. :"; =%e inspecion can "e perfor)ed a an* i)e
$i%in %e en-*ear period/ $i% %e ne4 en-*ear period "eginning
a %a i)e.
3rd - Dec.
2001
3an RKI procedures in 6!!3 /e used to deter)ine t(e inspection
inter*al ,or tanks t(at (a*e not /een internally inspected per API 6530
=%e API 1#"co))iee on Press#re Bessels C =an!s c#rrenl* %as
an agenda ie) o s#d* %is +#esion. An* c%anges res#ling fro)
%is agenda ie) $ill appear in a f##re addend#) or ediion o API
653.
Page 6 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 =a"le 6-1
653 =a"le 6-1
653 7.3.1 653-I-16/97
653 7.2
653 7.6.2 653-I-06/99 8es
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Ta/le 6-", +(at is t(e )eanin; o, t(e ter) Itank
/otto)$,oundation desi;n0I
=%is e4pression is referring o %e config#raion of %e an! and
fo#ndaion as a $%ole. Ano%er $a* o p%rase %e condiion $o#ld
"e. D=%ere is no )ec%anis) in place %a $o#ld deec a conain a
"oo) lea!.D
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes t(e ter) I)eans to pro*ide ! ! ! contain)ent o, a /otto) leakI
i)ply undertank liner syste)s0
An #nderan! liner s*se) is one )e%od of conaining "oo)
lea!s. 9o$e(er/ %ere are o%er )e%ods/ s#c% as do#"le
"oo)s/ %a also acco)plis% %e conain)en.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 per)it t(e +eldin; o, electrical conduit supports
DunistrutsG to /e +elded onto t(e pro-ection o, /otto) plates outside t(e
s(ell o, tanks /uilt to API 65#0
1ecion 5 of API 653 defers %is iss#e o API 650/ $%ic% re+#ires
%a %e )aerial co)pl* $i% 1ecion 2. =%e $elding and NDE
s%o#ld co)pl* $i% API 650/ 1ecion 5.2.3.5
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section <!1 and <!3, +(en insertin; a ne+ s(ell
course into an e'istin; tank s(ell, is t(e +eld -oinin; t(e ne+ course to
t(e course a/o*e considered as a Ine+ +eld -ointI or an Ie'istin; +eld
-oint0I
=%e process of insering a ne$ co#rse ino an e4ising an! is an
aleraion/ no a reconsr#cion/ $%ic% )a!es 1ecion 7 applica"le/
"# no 1ecion 7. 3efer o 1ecion 9.2.3.2/ $%ic% indicaes %a
%e original code of consr#cion )a* "e follo$ed for s#c% $or!.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Kack;round9 Section 6!!1 requires t(e use o, (ydrostatic stresses DS
t
G
,ro) API 65#, Ta/le 3-1! Prior to t(e issuance o, Addendu) 1 o, API
653, t(e ,or)ulas in API 65# and 653 +ere t(e sa)e e'cept ,or t(e -oint
,actor DEG contained in t(e API 653 ,or)ula!
Question9 &o+ t(at t(ere is a di,,erence in t(e ,or)ulas Ddroppin; t(e
L"= ,ro) t(e API 653 ,or)ula in Section !3!3!"G, is it t(e intent o, API
653 t(at t(e API 65# ,or)ula
+it( an LE=, added ,or t(e -oint e,,iciency, /e used +(en a
reconstructed tank is in*ol*ed0 Kack;round9 API 653, Section <!!1
requires t(e use o, (ydrostatic stresses DStG ,ro) API 65#,
Ta/le 3-1! Prior to t(e issuance o, Addendu) 1 to t(e second
edition o, API 653, t(e ,or)ulas in API 65# and 653 +ere t(e sa)e
e'cept ,or t(e -oint ,actor DEG contained in t(e API 653 ,or)ula! A
reconstructed tank +it( its ori;inal +eld Dor ri*etedG -oints )ust
)aintain t(e -oint e,,iciency o, its ori;inal construction! API 653
requires t(e desi;n and (ydrostatic stresses ,ro) API 65# /e used ,or
reconstructed tanks! T(is indicates t(at t(e ,or)ulas
,ro) API 65# s(ould also /e used ,or desi;n and (ydrostatic
testin; o, a reconstructed tank! T(e addition o, a -oint ,actor is
required i, ori;inal -oints re)ain in t(e tank! I, all old -oints are
e)o*ed, t(e current API 65# desi;n ,or)ula )ay /e used! Since
API 65# and 653 ,or)ulae +ere t(e sa)e /e,ore Addendu) 1,
t(is posed no pro/le)!
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Page 7 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 7.6.2 653-I-06/99 8es.
653 9.1 No.
653 9.1
653 9.1 653-I-01/00
653 9.1 653-I-03/00
2nd - Dec.
1995
Is it t(e intent o, API 653 t(at t(e ,ollo+in; API 65# ,or)ula ,or t(e
(ydrostatic test (ei;(t /e used +(en a reconstructed tank is in*ol*ed0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Is t(ere e*er a condition +(en t(e ne+ /otto) +ould not e'tend /eyond
t(e s(ell plates0
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 per)it t(e installation o, sin;le-corru;ation /ell-s(aped
/otto) plates t(at +ould ser*e as e'pansion -oints0 T(e corru;ation
siJe +ould /e appro'i)ately inc(es (i;( /y " inc(es +ide!
No. API 653 is "ased on config#raions specificall* confor)ing o
API 650 e4cep $%ere saed o%er$ise/ or $%ere e4ising deails
are no co(ered "* API 650. 3efer o 1ecion 1.1.5 and 9.1.1 of
API 653. =%e proposed deail )a* or )a* no pro(ide a Dle(el of
inegri*D e+#al o %e c#rren 650 r#les. API 650 is "ased on
"oo)s %a are fla/ resing on fo#ndaions %a pro(ide ade+#ae
fricion %a !eep %e ensile sress d#e o s%ell e4pansion o an
insignificanl* lo$ (al#e.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Ci;ure 2-5 and Section 2!"#, 3an a patc( /e placed
near a t(ree-point sea) as s(o+n /elo+0
Illustration9 A "1 in! square /otto) patc( plate located 1 in! )in ,ro)
+eld sea)s -

3-point lap

?eld sea)
8es/ #nless %e pac% plae co(ers %e 3-poin lap. 1ee Noe 5 in
2ig. 9-5.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 .oes an aut(oriJed inspector (a*e to /e on site durin;
reconstruction, repairs and alterations0
Question 19 3an a co)pany (a*e )ore t(an one API 653 Inspector
under t(e sa)e inspector aut(oriJation nu)/er0
Question 39 Is an API 653 inspector quali,ied to inspect site
construction ,or Ine+I API 65# tanks0
3epl* 1. No/ "# %e a#%ori'ed inspecor is re+#ired o "e on %e
sie for %e e4ernal and inernal inspecions re+#ired "* 1ecion 6
of API 653.
3epl* 2. No.
3epl* 3. API 653/ and is inspecor cerificaion progra)/ does no
appl* o ne$ consr#cion per API 650.
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Page 7 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 9.1 653-I-07/06
653 9.2 653-I-02/97 8es.
653 9.2 653-I-10/03
653 9.2.1 653-I-06/03
653 9.2.2 653-I-16/97
653 9.2.3
653 9.2.3 653-I-20/97
653 9.3.1 653-I-06/97
3rd - Dec.
2001
Kack;round9 ?e are carryin; out )odi,ications Dinstallin; additional
noJJlesG on an e'istin; tank! T(e noJJle asse)/lies +it( ne+ s(ell plate
are /ein; +elded in our s(op and stress relie*ed! A,ter P?:T, t(ese +ill
/e installed on t(e tank! T(e client +ants t(e API 653 inspector to certi,y
t(e +ork!
Question9 .oes API 653 speci,y inspection (old pointDsG durin; tank
repair and$or alteration +(en t(e aut(oriJed inspector is required to
appro*e t(e +ork0
Reply9
No. =%e sandard does no specif* re+#ired inspecion %old poins/
"# lea(es %is o %e discreion of %e a#%ori'ed inspecor. 3efer
o 9.1.3.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section "1!"!1!5, does t(e +eld /et+een t(e insert
plate and t(e s(ell plate (a*e to /e ,ully or partially radio;rap(ed i, a
ne+ noJJle (as /een installed in a ne+ insert plate t(at co)plies +it(
Section 2!1! and "1!10
3rd - Dec.
2001
?(en cuttin; door s(eets into /utt +elded tank s(ells, do t(e ne+
*ertical sea)s o, t(e door s(eet need to /e o,,set i, it ;oes ,ro) one
course to anot(er0
=%e ne$ (erical $eld ,oins in "# $elded an!s )#s "e offse as
saed in 9.2.2.2 and API 650/ 1ecion 3.1.5.2".
3rd - Dec.
2001
3an a s(ell course in an e'istin; tank t(at is 1! ) +ide /e replaced
+it( t+o "!1 ) s(ell courses0
8es. API 653 onl* re+#ires %a replace)en s%ell plaes "e 300
)) :12 in.; $ide0 see 9.2.2.1.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.o t(e +eldin; require)ents ,or t(e critical Jone o, Section 2!1!1 o, API
653 apply to t(e +elds )ade ,or attac(in; supports, suc( as unistrut
supports +elded to t(e pro-ection o, /otto) plates0
No. =%e criical 'one is inside %e an! s%ell.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 .oes API 653 per)it t(e a/o*e ne+ +eld -oint to /e a lap-
+elded desi;n, assu)in; t(e e'istin; tank +elds are lap-+elded0
Question 19 I, t(e a/o*e ne+ +eld )ust /e /utt-+elded to t(e s(ell
a/o*e, (o+ can t(e -oint /e )ade +(ere t(is +eld -oins t(e lap-+elded
*ertical +elds0
3epl* 1. 8es/ per 1ecion 9.2.3.2
3epl* 2. >#-$elding is no re+#ired/ per 9.2.3.2.
2nd - Dec.
1995
3an a co)plete D36#FG dou/ler plate /e installed on t(e inside o, t(e tank
s(ell and ,illet +elded to t(e I. o, t(e tanks s(ell and tank /otto) ,or t(e
purpose o, rein,orcin; a corroded lo+er tank s(ell +(en t(e t(ickness
o, t(e tanks s(ell does not co)ply +it( t(e )ini)u) t(ickness
require)ents o, API 653 due to e'ternal corrosion0
No. =%is *pe of repair does no co)pl* $i% %e re+#ire)ens of
API 653.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 .oes API 653 per)it installin; a lap-+elded patc( plate on
t(e inside o, a s(ell plate, as +ell as t(e outside0
Question 19 Is t(e < in! )a'i)u) patc( plate *ertical di)ension, as
per)itted /y API 653, in Section 2!3!"!%, dependent upon t(e (oriJontal
+idt( o, patc( plates0 &ote t(at t(ere is a 6 in! )ini)u), (o+e*er, ,or
/ot( t(e (oriJontal and *ertical di)ensions o, t(e patc( plate!
3epl* 1. =%e #se of inside pac% plaes is no pro%i"ied "* API
653/ e4cep as indicaed in 1ecion 9.3.1.6.
3epl* 2. No.
Page 9 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 9.3.1.1 653-I-13/99
653 9.3.1.6
653 9.3.2 653-I-06/97 8es/ ass#)ing %e corroded area lies in %e area re)o(ed.
653 9.3.2.1 653-I-06/97 8es.
653 9.7 653-I-11/01 No.
653 9.7 653-I-03/06
653 9.7 653-I-17/97
653 9.7 653-I-07/99
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 Re,errin; to API 653, Section 2!3!"!", +(at is t(e alternati*e
repair )et(od i, t(e s(ell course is ;reater t(an M in!0
Question 19 Is API 653 retroacti*ely applica/le to a tank t(at (ad
patc(es installed on a tank s(ell, +it( a t(ickness ;reater t(an M in!,
prior to t(e issue o, API 6530
3epl* 1. =%e res of 1ecion 7 specifies %e applica"le repair r#les.
3epl* 2. 8es/ see 1ecion 9.3.1.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Is it accepta/le to repair an e'ternally corroded s(ell plate at t(e s(ell-
to-/otto) -oint usin; an internal patc( plate e'tendin; to t(e corner
+eld0
No. 3efer o 1ecion 9.3.1.6 $%ic% re+#ires a 6-inc% clearance
fro) %e inside corner $eld.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section 2!3!1, does t(is section )ean t(at it is
accepta/le to repair a s)all corroded area /y cuttin; a 1I dia)eter (ole
and t(en applyin; a patc( plate0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section 2!3!1!", does t(e Iinner peri)eterI re,er to
t(e peri)eter o, t(e (ole in t(e s(ell plate0
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 allo+ noJJle-type clean out ,ittin;s t(at are (al, a/o*e
,loor le*el and (al, /elo+ ,loor le*el to /e replaced in an old tank or
installed in a ne+ tank0 I, so, +(at section per)its t(e) to /e replaced0
3rd - Dec.
2001
Cor a dia)ond-s(aped rein,orcin; plate t(at is to /e )odi,ied to (a*e a
to)/stone s(ape, can t(e to)/stone s(ape /e o/tained /y +eldin; t+o
trian;ular s(aped plates /elo+ t(e lo+er dia;onal ed;es o, t(e e'istin;
dia)ond s(aped rein,orcin; plate0
No. 3efer o 2ig#re 9-3> for accepa"le deail for addiion of
reinforcing plae o e4ising s%ell peneraion.
2nd - Dec.
1995
?(en addin; a ne+ noJJle to an e'istin; s(ell plate E M inc(es t(at
does not )eet t(e current desi;n )etal te)perature criteria, +(ic( o,
t(e Nalle;edO con,lictin; rules are to /e satis,ied9 Section 2!<!1/ o, API
653, Section 3!%!3!"a o, API 65#, or Section 3!%!3!"/ o, API 65#0
3efer o 1ecion 9.7.1 of API 653/ $%ic% re+#ires %a %e r#les of
653/ 1ecion 9.7.2 and 650 "e )e. 1ecion 3.7.3.1a applies o %e
spacing fro) s%ell ,oins o inser plaes/ reinforcing plaes/ or
no''les. 1ecion 3.7.3.1" applies o spacing "e$een ad,acen
no''les/ reinforcing plaes/ inser plaes/ or an* co)"inaion.
1ecion 9.7.2" specifies %e )ini)#) si'e of %e inser plae if a
reinforcing plae is #sed. =%ese r#les/ incl#ding 9.7.2d/ need o "e
$or!ed oge%er. =%ere is no conflic.
2nd - Dec.
1995
In t(e case o, a ne+ clean-out ,ittin; /ein; installed in an old tank, does
API 653 or 65# allo+ t(e +ai*in; o, t(e require)ent on API 65#, Section
3!%!%!3 callin; ,or stress-relie*in; a,ter co)pletely pre-asse)/lin; into a
s(ell plate and prior to installation in t(e tank s(ell0
No. =%e enire clean-o# fiing )#s "e sress-relie(ed. 1ee API
653/ 1ecion 9.7.
Page 10 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 9.7 653-I-05/03
653 9.9
653 9.9 653-I-17/97
653 9.9 653-I-11/01 No.
653 9.9.1 653-I-06/00
653 9.9.2.1.2 No. =%is deail applies an*i)e %a a "oo) is insalled in a an!.
653 9.10 653-I-13/03 8es. 3efer o 1ecion 9.9.2.3 and 2ig#re 9-6.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Question "9 I, a 1#-inc( )an+ay is re)o*ed ,ro) an e'istin; tank and a
ne+ 3#-inc( )an+ay installed, is t(is +ork considered a replace)ent,
repair, or alteration /y t(e rules o, API 653, Section 20
Question 39 .oes API 653 allo+ t(e replace)ent o, only t(e noJJle neck
o, a 6-inc( noJJle in a tank +it( a s(ell t(ickness ;reater t(an #!5 in!,
and not )eetin; current desi;n )etal te)perature require)ents0
Question 9 .oes API 653 allo+ t(e replace)ent o, a noJJle neck
+it(out replacin; t(e rein,orcin; pad, +(en t(e noJJle siJe is increased
in a tank +it( a s(ell t(ickness ;reater t(an #!5 in!, and not )eetin;
current desi;n )etal te)perature require)ents0
3epl* 1. =%e replace)en of a 20-inc% )an$a* $i% a ne$ 30-inc%
)an$a* is co(ered in 1ecion 9.7
3epl* 2. 1ecion 9.7 re+#ires %a %is no''le and reinforcing pad
"e re)o(ed fro) %e an! and an inser plae $i% %e ne$ no''le
"e insalled.
3epl* 3. API 653 re+#ires %a %is no''le and reinforcing pad "e
re)o(ed/ and an inser plae $i% %e ne$ no''le insalled as
o#lined in 9.7.
1s - -an.
1991
Are t(e require)ents o, Section 2!2!1 applica/le only i, t(e tank /otto)
(as ,ailed0
No. =%e re+#ire)ens appl* $%ene(er a ne$ an! "oo) is "eing
insalled in a an!.
2nd - Dec.
1995
?(en )akin; a Lto)/stoneI )odi,ication to an e'istin; penetration,
e'tendin; t(e rein,orcin; do+n to t(e s(ell-to-/otto) +eld, does API
653 per)it increasin; t(e t(ickness o, noJJle rein,orcin; plates and
proportionally decreasin; t(e *ertical di)ension ,ro) t(e noJJle
centerline to t(e tank /otto)0
8es/ pro(ided %e re+#ire)ens for reinforce)en and $eld
spacing co)pl* $i% API 650. 1ee 1ecion 9.9.1.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 allo+ noJJle-type clean out ,ittin;s t(at are (al, a/o*e
,loor le*el and (al, /elo+ ,loor le*el to /e replaced in an old tank or
installed in a ne+ tank0 I, so, +(at section per)its t(e) to /e replaced0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Kack;round9 Re,er to Sections 2!2!" and 2!2!1!1 o, API 653! @i*en t(e
,ollo+in; proposed tank )odi,ication9 "G A second /otto) is to /e
installed /y slottin; t(e s(ell! 1G T(e e'istin; dia)ond s(ape
rein,orcin; plate is required to /e replaced +it( a to)/stone type
rein,orcin; plate as s(o+n in Ci;! 2-3/ to )eet +eld spacin;! 3G T(e
)odi,ication +ill satis,y t(e rein,orcin; area required! G T(is
)odi,ication +ould *iolate t(e )ini)u) ele*ation s(o+n in Ci;! 3-A o,
API 65#!
Question9 Is t(e proposed )odi,ication in co)pliance o, API 6530
=%is )odificaion $o#ld no co)pl* $i% %e second ediion of API
653/ Addend#) 6. 9o$e(er/ a re(ision %as "een appro(ed o
1ecion 9.10.2.1.6/ %a $%en iss#ed )a* allo$ )odificaions as
descri"ed a"o(e/ $i% so)e condiions %a )a* "e applica"le.
Please refer o %e %ird ediion of API 653 for %is re(ision.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Is t(e require)ent ,or a pro-ection o, a ne+ /otto) /eyond t(e s(ell
speci,ied /y t(e Section 2!2!1!"!1 dependent upon +(et(er t(e /otto)
replace)ent is due to ,ailure or due to so)e ot(er reason0
3rd - Dec.
2001
.oes API Standard 653 allo+ a replace)ent /otto) to /e installed
a/o*e an e'istin; /otto) +it( a ,lus(-type cleanout ,ittin;0
Page 11 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 9.10.1 653-I-15/03
653 9.10.1 653-I-07/06
653 9.10.1.1
653 9.10.1.2 8es.
653 9.10.2 653-I-05/97 No.
653 9.10.2 653-I-03/01
653 9.10.2
653 9.10.2 653-I-01/99
653 9.10.2 653-I-19/97
3rd - Dec.
2001
Question "9 Is re)o*al o, an e'istin; /otto) plate and replace)ent
+it( a ne+ plate allo+ed in Section 2!"#!"0
Question 19 ?(en replacin; an entire /otto) plate, or portion t(ereo,,
not in t(e critical Jone, does API Standard 653 speci,y a )ini)u) plate
+idt( required0
3epl* 1. =%e sandard does no address replace)en of a single
"oo) plae.
3epl* 2. 1ee 3epl* 1.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Is a patc( plate an accepta/le repair ,or a corroded tank /otto), and
can t(e patc( plate /e placed o*er a +eld sea)0
8es/ pro(ided %e repair co)plies $i% %e spacing and )aerial
re+#ire)ens of API 653. 3efer o 7.2/ 9.10.1/ and 2ig#re 9-5
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re;ardin; 653, Section 2!"#!"!", i, a tank (as an annular rin;, is t(e
critical Jone li)ited to t(e re;ion +it(in "1 in! o, t(e s(ell0
No/ %e criical 'one is %e enire ann#lar ring and e4ends 12 in.
"e*ond %e ann#lar ring.
2nd - Dec.
1995
I, t(e tank does not (a*e an annular rin;, does it still (a*e a critical
Jone, and is t(e critical Jone de,ined as t(e re;ion +it(in "1 in! o, t(e
s(ell0
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes t(e API allo+ *ariations in t(e installation o, tank /otto)s t(at do
not co)ply +it( API 653, Section 2!"#!1, suc( as t(e ,illet +eldin; o, t(e
ne+ /otto) to t(e inside o, t(e tank s(ell instead o, slottin; t(e tank
s(ell0
2nd - Dec.
1995
I, a ne+ /otto) is /ein; installed in an e'istin; tank /y )eans o, a slot
in t(e s(ell, can t(e /otto) /e installed t(rou;( an e'istin; lo+-type
repad i, t(e +eld spacin; is accepta/le and t(e re)ainin; repad (as
adequate rein,orce)ent0 I, t(e /otto) can /e installed t(rou;( t(e
repad, +(ic( +eld detail s(ould /e used0
=%e co))iee c#rrenl* %as an agenda ie) o add a deail for
sloing %ro#g% a dog-%o#se repad. An* c%anges res#ling fro)
%is agenda ie) $ill appear in a f##re addend#) or ediion o
API 653.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653 per)it repairin; a tank /otto) /y +eldin; a co)pletely
ne+ ,loor directly on top o, t(e old /otto) plates, +(ic( +ould ser*e as
a /ack-up ,or t(e ne+ +elds0
No. 3efer o 1ecion 9.10.2.1.1/ $%ic% re+#ires %e #se of a
c#s%ion )aerial "e$een %e ne$ and old "oo)s.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 In API 653, Section 2!"#!1!"!1, is Lcuttin; a slotI intended to
)ean a co)plete se*erin; o, t(e tank +all0
Question 19 Is t(ere a sketc( or )ore de,initi*e e'planation o, +(at is
descri/ed re;ardin; t(e slotted detail0
Question 39 Is t(ere any pro*ision in API 653 ,or a s(ell-to-/otto) +eld
D,or a replace)ent /otto)G t(at could /e +elded ,ro) t(e inside o, t(e
tank0
3epl* 1. 8es.
3epl* 2. No.
3epl* 3. No. =$o-sided $elding is re+#ired. 1ee 9.10.2.3 of API
653 $%ic% refers o API 650 :incl#ding 1ecion 3.1.5.7 of API 650;.
2nd - Dec.
1995
?(en a ne+ raised /otto) is installed in an e'istin; tank, +(at criteria
apply to t(e spacin; /et+een t(e e'istin; s(ell noJJles and t(e ne+
/otto)-to-s(ell +eld0
3efer o API 653/ 1ecion 9.10.2.1.6/ $%ic% re+#ires %a %e
)ini)#) spacing specified in API 650/ 1ecion 3.7.3/ "e )e.
Page 12 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 9.10.2 653-I-16/03
653 3rd Ad. 2 9.10.2.1.1 653-I-01-06
653 9.11 650-I-06/02
653 9.16.1 653-I-09/01
653 9.16.1 653-I-12/97
653 2ig#re 9-1 No.
653 10.5 653-I-06/97
3rd - Dec.
2001
Question "9 3an noJJles t(at are required to /e raised /y 2!"#!1!"! /e
)odi,ied in accordance +it( 2!20
Question 19 ?(en s(ell noJJles t(at require stress relie, are )odi,ied in
accordance +it( 2!2!1!1 and$or 2!"#!1!"!5, can t(e required stress relie,
/e per,or)ed +it( t(e noJJle in t(e tank s(ell0
3epl* 1. 8es. =%e no''les $o#ld %a(e o )ee %e re+#ire)ens
of 9.10.2.1.5 and API 650/ 1ecion 3.7.3. 3efer o API 653/
1ecion 9.9.2.
3epl* 2. No. 3efer o API 650/ 1ecions 3.7.6.3/ and 3.7.6.2.
Question "9 Hay an entire replace)ent /otto) /e placed directly on top
o, t(e e'istin; /otto)0
Question 19 Hay a sin;le tank /otto) plate /e repaired /y t(e use o, a
lap +elded patc( plate t(at co*ers t(e entire e'istin; /otto) plate0
3epl* 1. No. 3efer o API 653 1ecion 9.10.2.1.1 and 2ig#re 9-5
Noe 3. 3epl* 2. 8es/ pro(ided %e $eld spacing re+#ire)ens
defined in API 653 2ig#re 9-5 are )e.

3rd - Dec.
2001
Question "9 ?(en installin; ;irders and ra,ters in an e'istin; tank, do
t(ey need to /e installed in accordance +it( t(e latest edition o, API
Standard 65#0
Question 19 ?(en not alterin; t(e roo, ra,ters and ,ra)in; o, an
e'istin; tank, is it necessary to up;rade it to t(e current edition o, API
Standard 65#0
3epl* 1. 8es/ refer o API 1andard 653/ 1ecion 9.11.1.2.
3epl* 2. 3efer o API 1andard 653 1ecion 6.2.2.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Kack;round9 API 653 speci,ies a )ini)u) s(ell plate t(ickness o, P
in! is required to install a 1-inc( (ot tap! ?e )ust install (ot taps on
so)e tanks in +(ic( t(e s(ell t(ickness is less t(an P in! T(e tanks are
appro'i)ately 5# years old!
Question9 .oes API 653 allo+ (ot tappin; &PS 1 connections in tank
s(ells less t(an P inc( t(ick +(en t(e )aterial is o, unkno+n
tou;(ness0
8es/ if %e %ic!ness is no less %an 3/16 inc%. 3efer o =a"le 9-1
and o 1ecion 9.16.1 for f#r%er resricions.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Sections 2!"!"!3 and 2!"!5!", is t(e use o, E-6#"#
electrode per)itted ,or +eldin; t(e "st pass o, t(e +eld attac(in; t(e
(ot-tap noJJle to t(e s(ell0 Su/sequent passes +ould /e t(e speci,ied
lo+-(ydro;en electrode DE-%#"<G!
No. E-6010 is no a lo$-%*drogen elecrode/ as re+#ired "*
1ecion 9.16.1.3.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.o t(e rules o, API 653, Ci;ure 2-" apply to +eld spacin; i, /otto)
plates only are /ein; replaced0
2nd - Dec.
1995
?ould it /e correct to assess planar tilt and calculate li)its *ia use o,
t(e plu)/ness rules in API 653, Section "#!5!10
API 653 %as no r#les on il of e4ising an! s%ells/ per se. =%e onl*
olerances applica"le o reconsr#ced an! s%ells are for
pl#)"ness/ ro#ndness/ pea!ing/ and "anding/ as defined in
1ecion 10.5. 9o$e(er/ 1ecion 10.5.6 pro(ides r#les %a in effec
specif* %e per)ied planar il of %e fo#ndaion. Also/ refer o
Appendi4 >/ 1ecion >.2.2.2/ $%ic% pro(ides g#idelines on rigid
"od* iling.
Page 13 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 10.5.5 653-I-07/99
653 10.5.6 653-I-16/99
653 12 653-I-09/99
653 12 653-I-03/99 No
653 12.1.1 653-I-06/02 8es. 1ee 1ecion 12.1.1.3.
653 12.1.2.2 653-I-03/97
653 12.1.6.2 653-I-07/97 8es.
653 12.2.1 653-I-05/00 No.
653 12.2.1.1 8es/ see 1ecions 12.2.1.3 and 12.2.1.5.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 In API 653, Section "#!5!5, does t(e ter) I/andin;I apply to
t(e ,illet-+elded -oint /et+een t(e /otto) o, t(e tank s(ell and t(e
annular plates, i!e! t(e /otto) corner +eld0
Question 19 .oes API 653, per)it t(e +ai*er o, Section "#!5 i, a suita/ly
quali,ied en;ineer certi,ies t(at t(e tank is structurally ,it ,or t(e
intended purpose D&ote t(at t(is allo+a/le under API 65#, Section 5!5!"6
alt(ou;( t(e seller in t(is case is t(e )anu,acturer0
3epl* 1. No.
3epl* 2. No.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 Are t(e ,oundation tolerances in API 653, Section "#!5!6,
applica/le only to reconstructed tanks or repairs on tank ,oundations
ori;inally constructed to t(e tolerances o, API 65#, Section 5!5!5, and
Appendi' K0
Question 19 Are t(e ,oundation tolerances in API 653, Section "#!5!6,
applica/le to re-le*elin; tanks +(en t(e ori;inal tank ,oundation +as
constructed to t(e tolerances o, API 65#, Section 5!5!5, and Appendi'
K0
3epl* 1. 8es.
3epl* 2. No. =%e fo#ndaion olerances in API 653/ 1ecion
10.5.6 appl* onl* o reconsr#ced an!s and do no appl* o re-
le(eling e4ising an!s. 1ecions 12.3.1.2 and 12.3.2.5 pro(ide
re+#ire)ens on re-le(eling $or!.
2nd - Dec.
1995
3onsider a tank /uilt in t(e "25#As to API "13 rules, /ut (a*in; *ertical
and (oriJontal +elds t(at +ill not pass t(e API "13 radio;rap(y criteria!
I, only t(e *ertical +elds +ere repaired, can t(e tank /e put /ack in
ser*ice )eetin; t(e API 653 require)ents0
=%e %ori'onal and (erical $elds e4a)ined )#s "e
e(al#aed/repaired "ased on %e r#les in API 650/ 1ecion 9.6/ and
API 653/ 1ecion 10/ "efore placing %e an! "ac! in ser(ice.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section "#, is &.E required a,ter roo, repairs are
)ade0
3rd - Dec.
2001
.oes API 653 require radio;rap(ic tracer s(ots on repairs o, ne+ s(ell
plate to ne+ s(ell plate +elds and ne+ s(ell plate to old s(ell plate as is
required in ne+ construction repairs +it( API 65#!
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 Re,errin; to API 653, does Section "1!"!1!1 require t(at
ca*ities created durin; t(e re)o*al o, attac()ent +elds o, e'istin;
rein,orce)ent plates /e e'a)ined0
Question 19 I, t(e ans+er is QES, does t(e e'a)ination (a*e to /e
conducted /e,ore t(e ca*ities are repaired0
3epl* 1. 8es/ B= and ei%er F= or P= are re+#ired.
3epl* 2. 8es. 1ee 1ecion 12.1.2.2.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API 653, Section "1!"!!1, in its entirety, apply only to attac()ents
+elded to @roups IR t(rou;( RI )aterial0
2nd - Dec.
1995
?it( -usti,ia/le cause and at t(e request o, t(e o+ner, is it allo+a/le to
su/stitute t(e RT in Section "1!1!" o, API 653 +it( 8T0
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re;ardin; API 653, Section "1!1!"!"!, i, durin; a )a-or tank repair ne+
*ertical +elds are introduced +(ic( /ot( intersect ne+ (oriJontal +elds
and old (oriJontal +elds, does t(e intersection o, t(e ne+ *ertical +eld
+it( t(e old (oriJontal +eld (a*e to /e radio;rap(ed0
Page 16 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 12.2.1.1
653 12.2.1.1
653 12.3 653-I-05/97
653 12.3 653-I-09/97
653 12.3 653-I-15/97
653 12.3 653-I-16/97
653 12.3.1
2nd - Dec.
1995
3an t(e e'a)ination o, t(e Na/o*eO *ertical +eld required /y Section
"1!1!"!" o, API 653 /e done concurrently +it( eit(er t(e e'a)ination o,
t(e intersection +it( t(e ne+ (oriJontal +eld or +it( t(e e'a)ination o,
t(e intersection +it( t(e old (oriJontal +eld0
API 653 does no pro%i"i conc#rren e4a)inaions/ as long as %e
re+#ired $eld leng%s are e4a)ined in %e (erical/ %ori'onal/ and
inersecion of (erical and %ori'onal ,oins.
2nd - Dec.
1995
?(en replacin; se*eral s(ell rin;s on an e'istin; tank, is it accepta/le,
per API 653, to radio;rap( t(e -oints /et+een e'istin; plates per Section
"1!1!"!", "1!1!"!1, and "1!1!"!3 o, API 653 and -oints /et+een ne+ plates
per API 65#0 4r )ust all -oints /e radio;rap(ed per API 6530
G%en replacing s%ell rings on an e4ising an!/ all ,oins )#s "e
radiograp%ed per API 653.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes t(e (ydrostatic test in Section "1 o, API 653 speci,y a +ater test or
can any liquid /e used0
=%e inen is onl* for $aer o "e #sed for %e %*drosaic es so
%e an! s%ell is sressed o a %ig%er le(el %an in operaion o
pro(e ade+#ac* of repairs for prod#c ser(ice and o )ini)i'e %e
ris! of "rile frac#re $%ile in ser(ice.
2nd - Dec.
1995
A tank (as /een repaired and (ydrotested accordin; to t(e
require)ents o, API 653! Collo+in; t(e (ydrotest, a condition not
co)plyin; +it( API 653 is disco*ered, e!;! a +eld spacin; /ein; too
s)all, t(at +as not identi,ied prior to testin;! Is t(is tank accepta/le ,or
ser*ice0
A %e i)e %e an! repair and esing $as co)pleed %e an! is
accepa"le for ser(ice per API 653/ ass#)ing %ere $as no prior
!no$ledge of %e nonco)plian condiion. If %e condiion $as
idenified afer %*droesing/ %a condiion )#s "e e(al#aed and
%andled as re+#ired "* %e an! o$ner/operaor and %e local
,#risdicion.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 .oes API (a*e any t(ou;(ts as to +(en it is in,easi/le to
;et +ater ,or (ydrotestin;0
Question 19 Are t(ere any tank testin; )et(ods, as an alternati*e to
t(ose speci,ied in API 65#, t(at one )i;(t consider in a *ariance
situation +it( a stateAs tank la+, suc( as +eldin; s(ut *ents and usin;
(eliu) under a ,e+ pounds o, pressure, pro*idin; leak detection and
stressin; t(e tank as +ell0
3epl* 1. API does no ac as a cons#lan on specific engineering
pro"le)s or on %e general #ndersanding or applicaion of is
sandards. APIHs aci(iies in regard o ec%nical in+#iries are
li)ied sricl* o inerpreaions of %e sandard and o %e
consideraion of re(isions o %e presen sandard "ased on ne$
daa or ec%nolog*.
3epl* 2. 1ee 3epl* 1.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Question "9 ?(at is t(e )a'i)u) noJJle siJe t(at can /e installed
/e,ore a ,ull (ydrotest is required0
Question 19 3an a tank /e pressure tested +it( t(e product D#1 lo+
sul,ur diesel ;asolineG0
3epl* 1. If %e an! is no e4e)p fro) %*droesing per 1ecion
12.3.2/ %e )a4i)#) no''le si'e for no''les insalled "elo$ %e
design li+#id le(el is 12 in. NP1. An* "oo) peneraion locaed
$i%in 12 in. of %e an! s%ell re+#ires a f#ll %*droes.
3epl* 2. No. =%e inen is onl* for $aer o "e #sed for %e
%*drosaic es so %e an! s%ell is sressed o a %ig%er le(el %an
in operaion o pro(e ade+#ac* of repairs for prod#c ser(ice and
o )ini)i'e %e ris! of "rile frac#re $%ile in ser(ice.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section "1!3!"!1 DeG and Ta/le "1-" D3G, do t(ese
apply to t(e cleanin; o, t(e +eld necessary prior to )akin; a
restoration o, a corroded or ot(er+ise de,icient +eld0
No/ "# %is iss#e is c#rrenl* #nder re(ie$ "* %e API co))iee
responsi"le for )ainaining API 653.
Page 15 of 15
API Standard 653 - Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply
5as #pdae. -#l* 31/ 2006
653 12.3.2 653-I-23/97
653 12.3.2.1 653-I-11/97
653 12.3.2.1 653-I-01/01
653 12.5 653-I-11/02
653 13 653-I-10/97
653 13 653-I-10/01 API 653 does no specif* %e reenion period.
2nd - Dec.
1995
.oes API reco))end t(e (ydrostatic testin; o, )a-or repairs to tanks
t(at store products +it( a speci,ic ;ra*ity ;reater t(an "!#0
All an!s s%o#ld "e s#",eced o a %*drosaic es follo$ing )a,or
repairs #nless %e an! and %e repairs co)pl* $i% %e
re+#ire)ens for $ai(ing a %*drosaic es in API 653/ 1ecion
12.3.2.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Second - Addendu) 1, ,or t(e case o, a tank +it( a
ne+ /otto) installed in an e'istin; tank t(at includes a ne+ s(ell-to-
/otto) +eld, is a (ydrotest required0
8es. A clarificaion o 1ecion 12.3.2.1 and =a"le 12-1 $as
p#"lis%ed in %e Dece)"er 1997 addenda clarif*ing %a if %e
s%ell-o-"oo) $eld is co)pleel* re)o(ed/ or if %e ne$ "oo) is
insalled "* sloing %e s%ell/ a %*droes is re+#ired. If %e "oo)
is replaced $i%o# re)o(ing %e e4ising s%ell-o-"oo) $eld/ and
co)pliance $i% =a"le 12-1 is )e/ %en a %*droes in no
re+#ired. I is no inended %a %is inerpreaion "e applied
reroaci(el* o "oo) replace)ens co)pleed prior o %is
re(ision.
2nd - Dec.
1995
To )eet t(e require)ents o, a (ydrostatic test e'e)ption per API 653,
Section "1!3!1!"DaG, )ust all repairs /e re*ie+ed, or -ust t(e ite)s t(at
are co*ered in t(e scope o, t(e )a-or repair0
1ecion 12.3.2.1a applies onl* o %e ie)s $i%in %e scope of %e
)a,or repair.
3rd - Dec.
2001
Is a settle)ent sur*ey required durin; (ydrostatic testin; as descri/ed
in Section "1!50
8es/ sele)en s%all "e )eas#red d#ring and $%en $aer reac%es
100 percen of %e es le(el0 see 12.5.2.
2nd - Dec.
1995
Re,errin; to API 653, Section "", i, t(e only +ork to /e done on a tank is
,loor repair, )ust t(e s(ell course, allo+a/le stress, and )aterial /e
entered on t(e na)eplate0
No. A na)eplae is re+#ired for reconsr#ced an!s/ no for
repaired an!s. 3efer o 1ecions 13.1.1 and 13.2
2nd - Dec.
1995
:o+ lon; does API 653 require inspection records to /e retained0
Kack;round9 ?e are +orkin; +it( API 653-certi,ied inspectors to
per,or) API 653 inspection ser*ices ,or *arious clients! A question (as
arisen o*er +(et(er )ont(ly Iroutine in-ser*ice inspectionI records are
to /e kept ,or t(e li,e o, t(e tank, or +(et(er so)e s(orter retention
inter*al, suc( as "# years, )i;(t /e considered adequate!