Study Sheets

Based on API 653 Exam Information

The following is a collection of questions remembered by various students who took the API 653
Exam in the past.

This study sheet is designed to help a student prepare for the API 653 Exam. Read each
question carefully and select the best answer by circling your choice. After selection of your
answer, write in the section number and publication in which your answer was found. Look up each
question in the reference publications listed below; remember, this exercise is to help you to learn
to use the reference material. Generally, the assignment is broken into several sections. Each
section should take approximately one hour to complete. Answers will be discussed at the
beginning of class the following morning.

The answers will be found in the following reference publications:

API 650, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage, Tenth Edition, November, 1998, including
Addendum 1 (January, 2000), Addendum 2 (November, 2001), and Addendum 3
(September, 2003).
API RP 651, Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks, Second
Edition, December, 1997
API RP 652, Lining of Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms, Second
Edition, December, 1997
API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, Third Edition,
December, 2001, including Addendum 1 (September, 2003).
API 2015, Safe Entry and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks, Sixth Edition, August, 2001.
API 2207, Preparing Tank Bottoms for Hot Work, Fifth Edition, September, 1998
API RP 575, Inspection of Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, First Edition,
November, 1995

ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, 2001 Edition, with 2002 and 2003 Addenda
Section V, Nondestructive Examination, Articles 1, 2, 6, 7 and 23 (Section SE-797
only)
Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 1

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 2
76. What is the P number for the tank as listed above?

a. 1.5
b. 1
c. 6
d. 24

Section: Reference Publication:

77. What is the maximum fill rate for the tank as listed above?

a. 3 feet per second

b. 6 feet per second
c. 3 feet per minute
d. 6 feet per minute

Section: Reference Publication:

78. What is the SFA number for E 7018 electrodes?

a. 5
b 5.1
c. 5.29
d. 5.42

Section: Reference Publication:

79. What is the filler number for E-7018 electrodes?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

Section: Reference Publication:

80. What is the minimum acceptable shell plate thickness for the first course of T 3-27, if the
specific gravity of the stored product is 1.3? NOTE: current inspection (2003) based on
product alone, and full height operation.

a. .316”
b. .500”
c. .262”
d. Not enough information given

Section: Reference Publication:

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 3

81. What is the hydrostatic test height of T 3-27 if the joint efficiency is .85 and the specific
gravity of the product is 1.3?

a. 57.24'
b. 40'
c. 28.27'
d. Not enough information given

Section: Reference Publication:

82. What is the minimum acceptable shell plate thickness for the top course of T 3-27 if each
course is 120" tall?

a. .1"
b. .062"
c. .269"
d. Not enough information given

Section: Reference Publication:

83. What is the joint efficiency for T 3-27?

a. 1
b. .85
c. .70
d. .35

Section: Reference Publication:

84. What is the corrosion allowance for T 3-27?

a. .185"
b. .125"
c. .0625"
d. Not enough information given

Section: Reference Publication:

85. If T 3-27 was new, what would be the minimum first course thickness, based on product
alone?

a. .269"
b. .310"
c. .500"
d. Not enough information given

Section: Reference Publication:

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 4
86. How many settlement points are required for an external settlement of T 3-27?

a. 4
b. 6
c. 8
d. 10

Section: Reference Publication:

87. A depression in the floor is discovered near the east manway of T 3-27. The diameter of
the depression is 96", the deepest point in the depression is 4". The area _________.

a. is rejectable.
b. is acceptable.
c. must be monitored.
d. can be filled in with epoxy and accepted.

Section: Reference Publication:

88. During the internal inspection of T 3-27, a patch plate welded to the floor, with a tombstone
shaped pad, extending to the inside of the shell was discovered. The plate had been
seal welded to the floor and shell, with a minimum dimension of 12 inches. The inspector
should _____________.

a. have the patch removed.

b. inspect the patch.
c. recommend removal of the patch and floor plates in the repaired area, replacing with
new floor plates.
d. this repair is in the critical zone and not allowed.

Section: Reference Publication:

89. During the same internal inspection of T 3-27, a square lap-welded patch was found over
an existing nozzle. The inspector should __________.

a. have the patch removed.

b. inspect the patch.
c. cut out the entire shell plate.
d. radiograph the patch for weld quality.

Section: Reference Publication:

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 5

90. T 3-27 has a hole, less than 1" in diameter, in the roof. Rain water does not contaminate the
stored product. Is a repair required by API 653?

a. A repair may be made by using duct tape.

b. Only if the owner requires the repair.
c. No
d. Yes

Section: Reference Publication:

91. What is the position designation for welding pipe in the horizontal fixed position?

a. 2G
b. 3G
c. 5G
d. 6G

Section: Reference Publication:

92. During a fluorescent MT test, the black light intensity shall be measured at least
once every .

a. hour
b. 2 hours
c. 4 hours
d. 8 hours

Section: Reference Publication:

93. Terminology for weld metal in excess of the specified weld size.

a. Weld reinforcement
b. Good weld technique
c. Weld toe
d. Weld throat

Section: Reference Publication:

94. If T 3-27 had a new nozzle installed in the third course, north side, could the shell-to-nozzle
weld be made using the oxyfuel welding process, if impact testing is not required?

a. Yes
b. No
c. The oxyfuel process is not allowed by ASME Section IX
d. Nozzle welds must be made using SMAW only

Section: Reference Publication:

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 6

95. A diesel oil test is required for ______________.

a. all new nozzle welds

b. all new floor welds
c. all new shell welds
d. all new shell-to-bottom welds

Section: Reference Publication:

96. The minimum PSIG for a vacuum box test is __________.

a. 1 PSIG
b. 2 PSIG
c. 3 PSIG
d. 4 PSIG

Section: Reference Publication:

97. A pipe welder is qualified to API 1104 only. What welds can he make on the tank if he
is qualified in the 6G position?

a. Nozzle Welds
b. Shell Welds
c. Floor and roof fillet welds
d. None

Section: Reference Publication:

98. A procedure is qualified on plate .500" thick. Which of the following thicknesses is not
qualified?

a. 1"
b. 1/2"
c. 1/4"
d. 1/8"

Section: Reference Publication:

99. A procedure is qualified on plate .500" thick. Four nick break specimens were substituted
for the four side bends.

a. The procedure is qualified.

b. ASME does not allow nick breaks.
c. Two tension specimens were required.
d. Nick breaks are used only on pipe.

Section: Reference Publication:

API 653 Exam Prep Homework Questions Page 7

100. A welder is qualified in the 3F and 4F positions. Which of the following groove welds can
he make?

a. 1G
b. 2G
c. 6G
d. None

Section: Reference Publication:

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