32 Samss 006

Materials System Specification
32-SAMSS-006 26 June 2017

Manufacture of Low Pressure Tanks
Document Responsibility: Vessels Standards Committee
Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 References........................................................ 3
3 Definitions ......................................................... 5
4 Materials ........................................................... 6
5 Design ............................................................... 8
6 Fabrication ...................................................... 13
7 Inspection, Examination and Testing .............. 15
8 Marking ........................................................... 20
9 Pressure and Vacuum-Relieving Devices ....... 21
10 Shell Attachments and Tank Appurtenances .. 21
11 Coatings and Painting ..................................... 22
12 Shipping Requirements ................................... 22
13 Disinfection ..................................................... 23
Revision Summary .................................................. 23
Annex B – Use of Materials that are not

Identified with Listed Specifications ................ 24
Annex R – Low Pressure Storage Tanks
Operating Between +40°F and -60°F .............. 25
Previous Revision: 11 March 2014 Next Planned Revision: 26 June 2020

Page 1 of 25
Contact: Al-Ghamdi, Fayez Hasin (ghamfh0a) on +966-13-8809618
©Saudi Aramco 2017. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Vessels Standards Committee 32-SAMSS-006
Issue Date: 26 June 2017
Next Planned Revison: 26 June 2020 Manufacture of Low Pressure Tanks
The following paragraph numbers refer to API STD 620, Twelfth Edition, October 2013,
Addendum 1, November 2014, which are part of this specification. The text in each paragraph
below is an addition or exception to or deletion of a requirement of API STD 620 as noted.
Paragraph numbers not appearing in API STD 620 are new paragraphs to be inserted in
numerical order.
1 Scope
1.1 General
1.1.1 This specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements

governing material, mechanical design, fabrication, erection, inspection,
and testing of low-pressure storage tanks.
1.1.2 This specification does not cover tanks designed in accordance with
Annex Q “Low-pressure Storage Tanks for Liquefied Gases at -325°F or
Warmer” and double wall tanks according to Annex R “Low-pressure
Storage Tanks Operating Between +40°F and -60°F” of API STD 620.
Additional requirements for such tanks shall be developed, if necessary, by
the Design Engineer. Such requirements shall be submitted to the Saudi
Aramco Engineer, as defined in this specification, prior to bidding with
sufficient time for review.
1.1.3 This specification shall be attached to and form an integral part of a

purchase order.
1.1.4 Conflicts and Deviations
1.1.4.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other Saudi Aramco Materials
System Specifications (SAMSSs), Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards
(SAESs), Industry codes and standards, and Saudi Aramco Standard
Drawings (SASDs) and Forms shall be resolved in writing by the
Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager, Consulting
Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
1.1.4.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the
Company or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302 and forward such requests to the Manager,
Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
1.2 Coverage
1.2.5 (Exception) Horizontal cylindrical tanks used for the storage of hydrocarbon
liquids within the scope of API STD 620, with design pressures in their gas
or vapor spaces not more than 103 kPa gauge (15 psig).
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
Page 2 of 25
2 References
Unless otherwise noted in this specification, materials or equipment supplied to this

specification shall comply with the applicable edition of the references listed below.
Applicable edition of each reference is that in effect on the Project Proposal approval
date for Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) and the
purchase order date for industry standards.
2.1 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-327 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning, Flushing
and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels
SAEP-1142 Qualification of non-Saudi Aramco NDT Personnel
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-007 Hydrostatic Testing Fluids and Lay-Up Procedures
SAES-A-112 Meteorological and Seismic Design Data
SAES-A-206 Positive Material Identification
SAES-B-017 Firewater System Design
SAES-B-067 Safety Identification and Safety Colors
SAES-H-001 Coating Selection and Application Requirements for
Industrial Plants and Equipment
SAES-W-017 Welding Requirements for Tanks
Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

01-SAMSS-016 Qualification of Process Equipment and Storage
Tanks Steels for resistance to Hydrogen-Induced
Cracking
01-SAMSS-043 Carbon Steel Pipes for On-Plot Piping
02-SAMSS-005 Butt Welding Pipe Fittings
09-SAMSS-107 Qualification Requirements and Application of
Composite Fluoropolymer/Ceramic Coatings to
Fasteners

Page 3 of 25
Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings

AA-036355 Impressed Current Tank Bottom - Cathodic
Protection Details
AB-036387 Tank Grounding
Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

175-324901 Tanks: Low Pressure, Steel within the Scope of
32-SAMSS-006
SA-2696 Appurtenance Schedule and Orientations
SA-9580 API STD 620 Storage Tank Data Sheet
SA-7918-1 Nonmaterial Requirements for Tanks
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards
American Petroleum Institute

API STD 620 Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-
Pressure Storage Tanks (Twelfth Edition,
October 2013, Addendum 1, November 2014)
API STD 650 Welded Tanks for Oil Storage (Twelfth Edition,
March 2013 Addendum 2, January 2016)
API STD 2000 Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage
Tanks
API STD 2510 Design and Construction of LPG Installations
American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A6 General Requirements for Rolled Steel Plates,
Shapes, Steel Piling, and Bars for Structural Use
ASTM A20 General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure
Vessels
American Society of Civil Engineers

ASCE 7-2005 Ed. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B16.47 Large Diameter Steel Flanges
ASME B16.5 Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings NPS ½ through
NPS 24 Metric/Inch

Page 4 of 25
ASME SEC VIII D1 Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
American Water Works Association

AWWA C652 Disinfection of Water Storage Facilities
International Standards Organization

ISO 15156 Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries - Materials
for Use in H2S Containing Environments in Oil
and Gas Production
National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE RP0472 Methods of Control to Prevent In-Service Cracking
of Carbon Steel Welds in P-1 Materials in
Corrosive Petrochemical Refining Environments
3 Definitions
3.5 Other Terms
3.5.1 (Exception) Manufacturer: The Company responsible for all

engineering, shop fabrication and field-erection activities of tanks under
scope of this specification.
3.5.5 Auto Refrigeration Temperature: Auto-refrigeration temperature is the

adiabatic vaporization temperature of the process fluid coincident with a
pressure equal to 25% of the maximum operating pressure.
3.5.6 Saudi Aramco Engineer: The Chairman of the Vessels Standards

Committee.
3.5.7 Design Engineer: The Engineering Company responsible for specifying,

on the tank data sheet, the design requirements for tanks.
3.5.8 Design Metal Temperature: The lowest of the following temperature

values:
1) The lowest one-day mean atmospheric temperature (LODMAT) per
SAES-A-112, or
2) The minimum operating temperature, or
3) The hydrostatic test temperature.
4) Auto-refrigeration temperature for refrigerated storage tanks as
defined in Section 3 of this specification.

Page 5 of 25
3.5.9 Saudi Aramco Buyer: The person or company authorized by Saudi

Aramco to procure pressure vessels to the requirements of this specification.
3.5.10 Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Environment: Process streams that

introduce HIC according to SAES-L-133.
3.5.11 Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) Environment: Process streams that

introduce SSC according to SAES-L-133.
3.6 Drawings and Calculations
3.6.1 The Tank Manufacturer shall prepare and submit for review a complete set
of assembly and shop drawings for the tank(s) being manufactured and in
accordance with Form SA-7918-1, Nonmaterial Requirements for Tanks
and Saudi Aramco Form SA-9580 “API STD 620 Storage Tanks Data
Sheet”.
3.6.2 Drawings and calculations which are approved by the Design Engineer
shall not relieve the Tank Manufacturer of the responsibility to comply
with the Code and this specification.
4 Materials
4.1 General
4.1.1 The Tank Manufacturer shall submit a complete material specification

with the proposal.
The Tank Manufacturer may propose the use of alternative materials to

those that are listed in API STD 620. The alternative materials shall
comply with all the other requirements of API STD 620 and this
specification. The chemical compositions and mechanical properties of
non-ASTM materials shall be submitted to be evaluated and approved by
the Saudi Aramco Engineer.
Materials proposed by the Tank Manufacturer that are equivalent to those

specified in API STD 620 shall be approved by the Saudi Aramco Engineer.
4.1.2 Materials that cannot be Completely Identified
(Exception) All materials shall be clearly identified and provided with mill
test certificates. Materials shall be alloy-verified by the Tank Manufacturer
in accordance with SAES-A-206.

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4.1.3 Accessory Pressure Parts
(Exception) Accessory pressure parts shall be clearly identified and

provided with mill certificates.
4.1.4 Small Parts
(Exception) Small parts shall be clearly identified and provided with mill
certificates.
4.2 Plates
4.2.1 General
4.2.1.1 Annular plate material for cylindrical, flat-bottom tanks shall be of the
same material specification, grade, and heat treatment, and meet the same
impact test requirements as the lowest shell course.
4.2.1.2 (Exception) The design metal temperature as defined in this specification

shall be used as the basis for material selection of materials not in contact
with refrigerated liquids.
4.2.1.4 Rimmed or capped steels shall not be used for shell, bottom, and roof plates.
4.2.2 Low-Stress Design

a. (Exception) The design metal temperature as defined in this
specification shall be used as the basis for material selection of
materials not in contact with refrigerated liquids or their vapors.
b. (Exception) No increase to the design metal temperature as defined
in this specification is permitted.
4.2.6 Plate used for the manufacture of tanks exposed to HIC environments shall
be manufactured from HIC resistant steels that meet the testing
requirements of 01-SAMSS-016. HIC resistant steel shall be procured from
Saudi Aramco approved manufacturers within a list available by the Saudi
Aramco Buyer, as defined in this specification.
4.3 Pipe, Flanges, Forging, and Castings
4.3.1 (Exception to Foot Note): Materials to be used for design metal

temperatures below -29°C (-20°F) shall conform to API STD 620
Table R-1.

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4.3.-7 HIC Environments Requirements
Piping components (such as nozzle/manway necks, elbow, etc.) made from

rolled and welded plate used in the manufacture of tanks exposed to HIC
environments shall be manufactured from HIC resistant steels that meet
the testing requirements of 01-SAMSS-016. Wrought piping components
shall meet the requirements of 02-SAMSS-005. Forged piping
components do not require HIC testing. Welded pipes shall meet the
requirements of 01-SAMSS-043.
4.3.8 SSC Environments Requirements
Forged flanges and forged fittings used in the manufacture of tanks

exposed to SSC environments are restricted to: SA-350 (Grade LF1 or
Grade LF2) or SA-765 Grade II. Materials shall satisfy the requirements of
ISO 15156 and NACE RP0472.
4.4 Bolting Material

(Exceptions)
a) Flange bolting material shall conform to ASTM A193 Grade B7
bolts with A194 Grade 2H nuts at design temperatures equal to and
above -29°C (84°F) below -29°C (-20°F), A320 Grade L7 bolts with
A194 Grade 4 or Grade 7 nuts shall be used.
b) Anchor bolts shall be coated with a fluoropolymer / ceramic coating
in accordance with 09-SAMSS-107.
c) Studs exposed to SSC environments are restricted to: SA-193 B7M
or SA-320 L7M. Nuts exposed to SSC environments are restricted
to: SA-194 Grade 2HM. Materials shall satisfy the requirements of
ISO 15156 and NACE RP0472.
4.6 Gaskets
Gasket materials shall be non-asbestos and compatible with the service

conditions.
5 Design
5.1 General
5.1.6 Design Information
5.1.6.1 Information provided by the Design Engineer on the API STD 620 Storage
Tank Data Sheet and a completed Saudi Aramco Form SA-2696 shall be
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used for the design of cylindrical flat-bottom, spherical, and spheroidal

tanks in accordance with API STD 620 and this specification.
5.1.6.2 Low-pressure, horizontal, cylindrical tanks shall be mechanically designed

using the rules of ASME SEC VIII D1 and shall be fabricated, inspected
and tested in accordance with the requirements of this specification.
5.4 Loads
e. (Exception) Roof live loads shall not be less than a concentrated load
of 225 kgs (500 lbs) over 0.4 m² (4.3 ft²).
h. (Exception) Tanks shall be designed for wind and earthquake loads
in accordance with ASCE 7-05 Wind Category Classification to be
used in the calculations of wind loads shall be Category III, and the
Seismic Hazard Exposure Group to be used in calculations of
earthquake loads shall be Group III.
l. Cool-down and cyclic operations, when specified by the Design
Engineer on the tank data sheet.
m. All applicable loads sustained by the tank during its erection, start-
up, or operation shall be considered as acting simultaneously,
including either wind or earthquake, whichever govern.
n. During hydrostatic test, wind pressure may be reduced to 40% of the
design wind pressure and shall be considered acting simultaneously
with the hydrostatic test load.
o. Associated piping systems loads.
Commentary:
Associated piping systems loads shall be specified on the tank data

sheet. Tank Manufacturer shall ensure that stresses at nozzle-to-
tank connections, due to piping loads specified on the tank data
sheet, are within the allowable limits.
5.7 Corrosion Allowance
Corrosion allowance shall be provided, as specified on the tank data sheet.
5.9 Procedure for Designing Tank Walls
5.9.4 Flat Bottoms of Cylindrical Tanks
5.9.4.5 Delete this paragraph.

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5.9.4.6 (Exception) Only butt- welded annular bottom plates in accordance with
Paragraph R.3.5, of API STD 620, shall be provided under tank shell.
5.9.4.7 Bearing plates shall be provided under supports of all internal piping and
appurtenances. Bearing plates shall be 13 mm (½ in.) thick and twice the
diameter of tubular support members or twice the longest dimension of
prismatic support members, as applicable, and welded to the tank with
5 mm (3/16 in.) continuous welds.
5.11.5 Special Considerations Applicable to Bottoms that Rest Directly on

Foundations
5.11.5.1 A foundation drip ring shall be provided for flat-bottom tanks to prevent
the ingress of rainwater or condensation between the tank bottom and
foundation. The ring shall meet the following requirements:
1) Material shall be carbon steel, 3.2 mm (⅛ in.) thick.
2) Continuously seal welded to the edge of the tank annular plate.
All radial joints between the drip ring sections shall also be seal
welded.
3) Extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) beyond the outer periphery of the
concrete ring wall.
4) Turn down at its outer diameter at a 45 degree angle.
5) The top of the drip ring and a 75 mm (3 in.) height of the tank shell
shall be painted with a 10-12 mil thick epoxy coating in accordance
with SAES-H-001.
5.11.5.-2 Under-tank Leak Detection and Sub-grade Protection

a) Flat-bottom tanks placed directly on soil sub-grade in services other
than water shall be provided with under tank leak detection and sub-
grade protection according to API STD 650, Annex I. Acceptable
construction details are Figures I-1, I-2, I-3, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9 and I-10.
b) Flexible membrane leak-barrier (liner) of minimum 1000 microns
(40 mils) thickness compatible with the stored product shall be
specified under the tank bottom. The liner shall be placed in
accordance with SASD AA-036355, extending to the internal top
edge of the ring foundation.
c) Joints in the liner shall satisfy the leak tightness, permeability, and
chemical resistance requirements for the liner material.

Page 10 of 25
d) Under-tank leak detection and sub-grade protection systems for

construction details other those specified in paragraph 5.11.5.4(a) of
this specification shall not be permitted without the prior approval of
the Saudi Aramco Engineer.
5.12 Design of Roof and Bottom Knuckle Regions and Compression-Ring Girders
5.12.5 Details of Compression-Ring Regions
5.12.5.3 (Exception) Compression-ring junctures shall be only as shown in

Figure 5-6, Detail e or Detail f. Annular roof plates shall be joined to
other bottom plates by full penetration butt welds.
5.12.5.9 Design of the compression ring and the roof-to-shell junction in insulated
tanks shall prevent infiltration of rainwater into the insulation.
5.14 Shapes, Locations, and Maximum Sizes of Wall Openings
5.14.4 (Exception) All manways shall be circular.
5.14.9 The number, size, and orientations of nozzles and manways shall be as
specified on the tank data sheet and Saudi Aramco Form SA-2696.
5.15 Inspection Openings
A 610 mm (24 in.) minimum manway shall be provided at the top and
bottom of each non-cylindrical tank. For spheroid tanks, the bottom
manway shall be located above the supporting girder stiffeners.
The manway covers shall be hinged or provided with davits.
5.16 Reinforcement of Single Openings
5.16.3 Size and Shape of Area of Reinforcement
5.16.3.5 Thickness of reinforcing pads shall not exceed the thickness of the shell or
the roof plate to which they are attached.
5.19 Nozzle Necks and their Attachments to the Tank
5.19.1 General
5.19.1.1 Nozzle and manway necks shall be seamless or welded pipe, or rolled plate
with 100% radiography of the longitudinal seam.
5.19.1.4 (Exception) All nozzle and manway necks shall be attached to the shell or
roof by full penetration welds through the roof or shell wall. Backing rings,
if used, shall be removed. Tank openings and the associated opening
Page 11 of 25
reinforcements shall only be similar to the details shown in Figure 5-8,

Panel c, h, m, o-1, o-2, o-3 or o-4.
5.19.3 Outer Ends of Nozzles
5.19.3.1 (Exception) All nozzle connections shall be flanged. Threaded and socket-
welded connections are prohibited.
5.19.3.4 Flange bolt holes shall straddle the normal horizontal and vertical centerlines.
5.20 Bolted Flanged Connections
5.20.1 (Exception) Flanges shall be the welding-neck type conforming to the

following:
1) ASME B16.5 for flanges 610 mm (24 in.) NPS and smaller.
2) ASME B16.47, Series A or B, for flanges larger than 610 mm
(24 in.) NPS.
3) The flange bore shall match the nozzle neck bore.
5.22 Permitted Types of Joints
5.22.1 Definitions
5.22.1.2(b) (Exception) Slot welds are not permitted.
5.22.1.4 (Exception) Backing strips for single-welded butt joints, except for joints
in tank's sections placed directly on soil sub-grade, shall be removed after
the weld is completed.
5.22.1.5 (Exception) Lap-joints are permitted only to join bottom plates to each
other and to the annular plates in flat-bottom tanks.
5.22.1.7 Only butt joints shall be used to construct single-curvature shells (cylindrical
tank side walls) and double-curvature shells (spheres, spheroids, heads of
horizontal low-pressure tanks, etc.), roofs and double curvature bottoms.
5.22.1.8 Only bottom annular plates shall be used in cylindrical tanks and shall be
joined by full penetration butt welds.
5.24 Plug Welds and Slot Welds
(Deletion) Plug welds and slot welds are not permitted.
5.26 Radiographic/Ultrasonic Examination

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5.26.1 (Exception) Only ultrasonic examination method that generates permanent

records can be used as a substitute to radiography.
5.26.6 (Exception) Exemption for radiography is not permitted for joints shown
in paragraph 7.16.1 of this specification.
5.28 Horizontal Tanks
5.28.1 Minimum thickness of shells and heads shall be 6.4 mm (¼ in.) including
corrosion allowance.
5.28.2 Tanks shall be supported on two saddles. The tank shall be fixed at one
saddle support and free to slide at the other saddle.
5.28.3 Locations of the fixed and sliding saddles, and dimensions from tank
centerline to underside of saddle base plate, and locations of fixed and
sliding saddles shall be according to the tank data sheet.
5.28.4 The shell shall be analyzed in accordance with the L. P. Zick Analysis
Method. Saddle supports and the tank shell shall be analyzed for operating
and hydrotest loads including any piping, wind or other external loads.
6 Fabrication
6.3 Cutting Plates
6.3.3 Edges of the bottom plates in cylindrical flat-bottom tanks to be lap

welded shall be square and the thickness at the edges shall not be reduced
after cutting.
6.5 Dimensional Tolerances
6.5.5 Fitting Attachments
6.5.5.1 All lugs, brackets, nozzles, manways frames, reinforcement around

openings, and other appurtenances shall fit and conform to the curvature of
the surface to which they are attached.
6.5.5.2 Reinforcing pads and all other external attachment pads shall have rounded
corners with a minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) radius.
6.5.5.3 Nozzles, manways and their reinforcement shall not be located within
50 mm (2 in.) of any weld seam. Where this requirement cannot be met,
100% radiography shall be performed on the encroached weld seam
according to API STD 650, paragraph 5.7.3.4.

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6.5.5.4 All attachment welds to the tank shell, bottom, roof, and appurtenances
shall be continuously seal welded.
6.5.5.5 Lugs, clips, or any other components used to assist in erection may be
attached by welding, but all such attachments shall be removed and the
weld areas ground smooth and flush with the base metal and “PT” tested.
The removal of attachments by hammering is prohibited.
6.5.6 Foundation
6.5.6.4 Top fill layer 10-15 cm (4-6 in.) for tanks placed directly on soil sub-grade
shall be a mixture of sweet sand and 3% cement (33:1 ratio, i.e., 3%
cement). The material specifications and mixing requirements shall be as
follows:
1) The maximum permissible salts content is 0.1%. Sand shall be dried
to a free-moisture content of not more than 2.0% by weight of dry soil.
2) The dry sand must be screened through 6.4 mm (¼ in.) mesh
(maximum). Care must be taken in using clean mixing and handling
equipment to ensure mixture remains free from foreign matter.
3) The sand shall then be thoroughly mixed with cement in a 33:1 ratio
by weight in a concrete mixer. After laying the mixture it shall be
rolled a minimum six times by a 3 ton roller. Vibratory plate
tampers may be used in lieu of rollers for areas where a roller cannot
reach and/or cover.
6.7 Qualification of Welding Procedure
6.7.5 All welding procedures, procedure qualifications and stress relieving

procedures shall be in accordance with SAES-W-017 and be submitted for
review/approval by Saudi Aramco.
6.8 Qualification of Welders
6.8.4 Welders and welding operators shall be tested in accordance with

SAES-W-017.
6.10 Cleaning Surfaces to be Welded
6.10.5 The bottom side of the bottom plates shall be cleaned of all foreign matter
and grit-blast cleaned prior to being coated and placed in position for
welding. The topside surface of bottom plates, regardless whether internal
coating of the tank is required or not, shall be grit-blast cleaned prior to
welding. Surface preparation shall be according to APCS-3 or APCS-113,
as applicable.
Page 14 of 25
7 Inspection, Examination and Testing
7.0 General
7.0.1 Inspection shall be in accordance with Saudi Aramco Inspection

Requirements Form 175-324901, SAES-W-017, and the additional
requirements of this specification.
7.0.2 Prior to final inspection and pressure testing, the inside and outside of the
tank shall be thoroughly cleaned of all slag, scale, dirt, grit, weld spatter,
paint, oil, etc.
7.2 Qualifications of Inspectors
7.2.4 All Nondestructive Examination, including Magnetic Particle and Liquid

Penetrant examinations, shall be performed by personnel certified in
accordance with SAEP-1142, or equivalent National Certification
Programs that have been approved by the Saudi Aramco Inspection
Department. Personnel responsible for interpretation of Nondestructive
Examination results shall be certified to a minimum of Level II.
7.3 Access for Inspector
7.3.1 The Saudi Aramco Inspector shall have free access to the work at all times.
7.3.2 All of the rights of Saudi Aramco and their designated representatives for
access, documentation, inspection, and rejection shall include any work
done by sub-contractors or sub-vendors.
7.4 Facilities for Inspector
The Tank Manufacturer shall furnish, install, and maintain in a safe

operating condition all necessary scaffolding, ladders, walkways, and
lighting for a safe and thorough inspection.
7.5 Approval of Repairs
7.5.1 Alleviating imperfections that are beyond the limits of ASTM A6 or

ASTM A20, whichever is applicable, in the tank shall be performed by the
tank manufacturer.
7.5.2 All injurious plate imperfections shall be removed by the Tank

Manufacturer as required by ASTM A6 or ASTM A20, whichever is
applicable. Repair welding requires the approval of the Saudi Aramco
Inspector.
7.5.3 Requirements for weld repairs shall be according to SAES-W-017.

Page 15 of 25
7.6 Inspection of Materials
7.6.1 Saudi Aramco shall have the right to inspect the fabrication at any stage
and to reject the use of any equipment, tools, construction material or
workmanship which does not conform to the specified requirements or
jeopardize safety of personnel, or impose hazard of damage to Saudi
Aramco property.
7.15 Examination Methods and Acceptance Criteria
7.15.1 Radiographic Method
7.1.5.1.6 Delete this paragraph
7.15.3 Ultrasonic Examination Method
7.15.3.2.4 Delete this paragraph.
7.16 Examination of Welds
7.16.1 Butt-welds
(Exception) Following butt-joints shall be examined as shown in the below

table.
Radiography (RT) or Liquid Penetrant (LP) or

Joint
Ultrasonic (UT) (1) Magnetic Particle (MP) (2)
1. Annular bottom plates to each other
in cylindrical tanks, with flat-bottom 100% 100%
or double-curvature bottom
2. Annular bottom plates to other
bottom plates in cylindrical tanks, 100% 100%
with double-curvature bottom
3. Annular roof plates to each and to
other roof plates in cylindrical tanks,
100% 100%
with flat-bottom or double-curvature
bottom
4. Node juncture plates to each other
and to other roof plates in nodded 100% 100%
spheroids
5. For weld joints attaching nozzle and
N/A 100%
manways to tank.
Notes:
(1) 100% UT, employing methods that generate permanent records may be used as a substitute for 100% RT.
Such UT methods must be approved by Inspection Department prior to commencement of any work.
(2) The whole joint shall be either 100% magnetic particle (MP) or 100% liquid penetrant (LP) examined at the root
pass and as follows:
a. On the final weld surface at the outer tank wall surface, for weld joints without a reinforcing plate.
Page 16 of 25
b. Similar examination as in (a) above at the nozzle and manway with reinforced plate and the final surface of
the fillet welds attaching the reinforcing pad to vessel and nozzle/ manway, for weld joints without a
reinforcing plates.
7.16.6 Examination of Shell-To-Bottom Joint and Shell-To-Roof Joint

1. The initial weld pass inside the shell shall be examined for its entire
length prior to welding the first weld pass outside the shell both
visually and by one of the following methods:
a. Wet-fluorescent magnetic particle.
b. Dye-penetrant.
c. Applying a vacuum test at 35 kPa gauge (5 psig), using a right
angle vacuum box.
d. Applying high flash-point penetrant oil such as light diesel oil for
a minimum 4 hours (preferably overnight).
Note: After completion of penetrating oil test, all residual oil on the applied
surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned before commencing subsequent
welds to avoid their possible contamination.
2. The initial weld pass outside the shell shall be examined for its entire
length both visually and by the dye-penetrant method.
3. After completing all welds (inside and outside) and prior to hydrotest,
the inside fillet welds shall be examined for its entire length both visually
and by either dye-penetrant or wet-fluorescent
7.17 Radiographic/Ultrasonic Examination Requirements
Radiographic examination of welded joints shall be in accordance with

SAES-W-017.
7.17.2 Spot Examination of Welded Joints
7.17.2.3 Spot examination of welded joints shall meet the requirements of

SAES-W-017.
7.17.4 Spot-examination Retests
7.17.4.3 Spot-examination retests shall meet the requirements of SAES-W-017.
7.18 Standard Hydrostatic and Pneumatic Tests
7.18.1 General
7.18.1.1 Testing shall be in accordance with Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements

Page 17 of 25
Form 175-324901 and the additional requirements of this specification.
7.18.1.2 Tanks shall be hydrostatically tested using water of quality according to

SAES-A-007 and API STD 620. Testing duration shall be minimum
24 hours.
7.18.1.3 The Tank Manufacturer shall furnish all test materials and facilities,
including blinds, bolting, and gaskets.
7.18.1.4 The tank shall be completely drained and thoroughly dried immediately
after completion of the hydrostatic test.
7.18.1.5 The Tank Manufacturer's plan for disposal of hydrotest water shall be
evaluated against SAEP-327 by the engineering contractor.
7.18.2 Test Preliminaries
7.18.2.7 Perform oil-penetrate leak test on the entire length of the first weld pass by
applying high flash point penetrant oil such as light diesel oil for a
minimum 4 hours (preferably overnight).
7.18.2.8 Perform oil-penetrate leak test on the entire length of the first completed
weld, before welding the second fillet weld, by applying high flash point
penetrant oil such as light diesel oil for a minimum 4 hours (preferably
overnight). Alternatively, apply a vacuum test at 35 kPa gauge (5 psig),
using a vacuum box fit to the shell-to-bottom junction.
7.18.2.9 The inside fillet welds of the shell-to-bottom joint in a cylindrical flat-
bottom tank shall be examined by either the dye-penetrant or wet-
fluorescent magnetic particle method before hydrotest.
7.18.2.10 Upon completion of welding of the tank bottom, all bottom joints
including bottom-to-shell joint shall be tested, before hydrotest, by using a
vacuum box fit for the joint geometry, with a soap solution, before any
surface coating is applied. Water or gas shall not be pumped underneath
the bottom to detect leaks.
7.18.2.11 Telltale holes in reinforcing plates shall not be plugged during the tank
hydrostatic test.
7.18.3.5 (Exception) Detail f-1 shall not be used.
7.18.4 Completely Hydrostatic Tests
7.18.4.5 Hydrostatic test shall not produce a membrane stress in the bottom course
which will exceed 90% of the specified minimum yield strength.

Page 18 of 25
7.18.7 Rate of Water Filling and Water Temperature
(Exception) The water filling rate for non-refrigerated cylindrical tanks

shall not exceed those shown in the following table.
Water Filling Rate Table

Bottom Course Thickness Tank Portion Filling Rate
Top course 300 mm/hour
Less than 22 mm
Below top course 450 mm/hour
Top third of tank 225 mm/hour
22 mm and more Middle third of tank 300 mm/hour
Bottom third of tank 450 mm/hour
7.18.9 Additional Tests
7.18.9.1 Hardness Testing
Weld hardness testing requirements and acceptance criteria shall be in

accordance with SAES-W-017.
7.18.9.2. After completion of test, thoroughly clean all residual examination

materials from the as yet to be welded surfaces and from the un-welded
gap between the shell and the bottom. Remove defective weld segments
and re-weld as required. Re-examine the repaired welds and a minimum
of 150 mm (6 in.) to either side in the manner described in paragraph
7.18.2.8. Repeat this clean-remove-examine-and-clean process until there
is no evidence of leaking. Complete all welding passes of the joint both
inside and outside of the shell. Visually examine the finished weld
surfaces of the joint both inside and outside the shell for their entire
circumference.
7.18.9.3 Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant examination shall be conducted on all

structural attachment welds to the tank pressure components that are
attached after hydrostatic test.
7.18.11 Cylindrical Flat-Bottom Tank Settlement Measurements
7.18.11.1 The base elevation shall be established and recorded at equidistant

locations of approximately 10 m (33 ft) around the tank circumference but
not less than eight (8) locations. The measurement points shall be at well-
marked locations on the annular plate or on clips welded to the shell.
Elevation readings shall be taken as follows:

Page 19 of 25
1) Before hydrostatic testing has started.

2) At the ½ filled point.
3) At the ¾ water filled point.
4) After 24 hours from filling the tank at the maximum water fill height.
5) After the tank has been emptied of test water.
7.18.11.2 Any differential settlement greater than 13 mm (½ in.) per 9 m (30 ft) of
circumference, or a uniform settlement in excess of 50 mm (2 in.) shall be
reported to the Saudi Aramco Engineer. Filling shall be stopped until
clearance to continue has been received.
7.18.11.3 Internal bottom elevation measurements shall be made for tanks of 15 m

(49 ft) diameter and larger before and after the hydrostatic test.
Measurements shall be made at 3 m (10 ft) intervals along diametric lines
across the bottom. The diametric lines shall be spaced approximately 10 m
apart at the tank shell.
8 Marking
8.0 General
8.0.1 Marking shall be done with water soluble materials containing no

substances that would attack or harmfully affect the tank at both ambient
and operating temperature.
8.0.2 Marking materials shall be free of lead, sulfur, zinc, cadmium, mercury,
chlorine, or any other halogens.
8.0.3 Tank number and content shall be painted in both Arabic and English at
90 degree intervals around the tank in accordance with SAES-B-067.
8.1 Nameplates
8.1.1.q All tanks with internal coatings shall have the Saudi Aramco's Approved
Coating System (APCS number) marked on the nameplate.
8.3 Manufacturer's Report and Certificate
The Tank Manufacturer shall prepare drawings, calculations, and data in

accordance with Form SA-7918-1, Non-Material Requirements-Tanks.
Drawings and calculations, which are approved by the Design Engineer,
shall not relieve the Manufacturer of the responsibility to comply with the
Code and this specification.

Page 20 of 25
9 Pressure and Vacuum-Relieving Devices
9.2 Pressure-relieving Devices
9.2.4 The Tank Manufacturer shall verify the set pressures and sizes of the
pressure and vacuum relief devices specified on the tank data sheet in
accordance with API STD 620 and API STD 2000.
10 Shell Attachments and Tank Appurtenances
10.1 Platforms, Walkways, and Stairways
10.1.1 Type and location of stairway shall be as specified on the tank data sheet
and Saudi Aramco Form SA-2696.
10.1.2 Stairs and platforms shall be fabricated of hot dipped galvanized open
grating. Checker-plate grating is not permitted.
10.1.3 Walkways shall be fabricated of diamond-pattern (checker-plate) grating

with anti-skid paint.
10.1.4 Stairways shall satisfy the following requirements:

1) Maximum angle with the horizontal shall be 45 degrees.
2) Minimum effective tread width shall be 200 mm (8 in.).
3) Minimum effective stairway width shall be 710 mm (28 in.).
4) Stairway platforms shall be a minimum of 710 mm (28 in.) as
measured in the direction of the stairway.
10.1.5 Stairways on insulated tanks shall be provided with stringers on both sides.
10.2 Grounding
10.2.1 Tanks shall be provided with a grounding lug connection welded to the tank.
10.2.2 Cylindrical flat-bottom tanks shall be provided with grounding lugs in

accordance with SASD AB-036387 at a minimum of four points spaced
equidistantly around the base of the tank.
10.3 Firewater Deluge and Spray System
10.3.1 The Tank Manufacturer shall furnish and install firewater deluge system
piping and components, terminating at laterals at the base of the tank, in
accordance with the requirements of SAES-B-017.

Page 21 of 25
11 Coatings and Painting
11.1 Types of coating and painting systems to be applied shall be as specified

on the Storage Tank data Sheet.
11.2 Surfaces to be coated shall be cleaned and prepared prior to its coating in
accordance with the applicable coating and painting systems.
11.3 The soil side of all tank bottom including annular ring plates shall be
coated with APCS-3 or APCS-113A. APCS-3 shall be specified for tank
with maximum operation temperature of 70C, while APCS-113A shall be
specified for higher operation temperature up to 140C. Soil side of all
bottom plates (lap-welded) and annular ring plates (butt-welded) shall be
left uncoated approximately 50 mm wide. This will typically require
masking a strip along the underside of each end (edge) of each
bottom/annular ring plate approximately 50 mm wide.
11.4 In tanks placed directly on soil sub-grade and where internal coating is not
required, the following surfaces shall be coated according to the applicable
coating specifications.
11.4.1 In tanks where there is a potential of water accumulation, top side of the
bottom and the internal bottom portion of the shell in flat bottom tanks,
starting from the tank bottom up to minimum one foot above water line,
shall be coated according to the applicable coating specifications per
SAES-H-001.
11.4.2 Internal lower portion of the tank’s internal components from the lowest
point in the tank up to minimum one foot above water line.
11.5 Gasket contact surfaces shall not be coated or painted.
11.6 The tank number and content shall be painted in both Arabic and English
at 90 degree intervals around the tank in accordance with SAES-B-067.
12 Shipping Requirements
12.1 Plates and tank material shall be loaded in manner that ensures delivery
without damage. Bolts, nuts, nipples, and other small parts shall be boxed
or put in kegs or bags for shipment.
12.2 All flange faces and other machined surfaces shall be greased and properly
protected for shipping.

Page 22 of 25
13 Disinfection
13.1 All potable water storage tanks shall be disinfected in accordance with
AWWA C652.
13.2 The chlorine and bacteriological tests shall be approved by the

Environmental Health Department of Saudi Aramco.
Revision Summary
11 March 2014 Major revision.
26 June 2017 Major revision is made for consistency with the updated industry standards and for more
clarity. In addition;
1) Re-affirm its contents against company needs.
2) Benchmark against requirements of the latest edition of the pertinent API STD 620
“Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks” that was
issued on November 2014.

Page 23 of 25
Annex B – Use of Materials that are not identified with Listed Specifications
B.4 Marking of Identified Material
Marking materials shall be free of lead, sulfur, zinc, cadmium, mercury,

chlorine, or any other halogens.

Page 24 of 25
Annex R – Low Pressure Storage Tanks Operating Between +40F and -60F
R.2 Materials
R.2.1 General
R.2.1..1 Plate materials shall be limited to the following ASTM material

specifications or their approved equivalent:
1) ASTM A516
2) ASTM A131 Grade CS
3) ASTM A537 Class 1 or 2
R.2.1..2 Material for permanent structural attachments welded to the tank shell
shall be of the same nominal composition as the shell material.
R.2.2.2 Impact Test Requirements for Plates
R.2.2.2.5 (Exception) All plate materials shall be normalized.
R.5.6 Radiographic/Ultrasonic Examination of Butt-welds in Plates
R.5.6.8 All annular plate butt joints in cylindrical flat-bottom tanks shall be 100%
magnetic particle examined from the topside after completion of the root
pass and again after completion of the full weld.
R.8.1.1 Design of foundations shall consider thermal movement of the tank, the
insulation required for the bottom, the effects of foundation freezing and
possible frost heaving, and the anchorage required to resist uplift according
to API STD 620 and API STD 2510.

Page 25 of 25

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Materials System Specification

32-SAMSS-006 26 June 2017

Annex B – Use of Materials that are not

Previous Revision: 11 March 2014 Next Planned Revision: 26 June 2020

©Saudi Aramco 2017. All rights reserved.

1.1.1 This specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements

1.1.3 This specification shall be attached to and form an integral part of a

1.1.4 Conflicts and Deviations

Unless otherwise noted in this specification, materials or equipment supplied to this

2.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings

Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

American Society for Testing and Materials

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

ASME SEC VIII D1 Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels

American Water Works Association

International Standards Organization

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

3.5 Other Terms

3.5.1 (Exception) Manufacturer: The Company responsible for all

3.5.5 Auto Refrigeration Temperature: Auto-refrigeration temperature is the

3.5.6 Saudi Aramco Engineer: The Chairman of the Vessels Standards

3.5.7 Design Engineer: The Engineering Company responsible for specifying,

3.5.8 Design Metal Temperature: The lowest of the following temperature

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

3.5.9 Saudi Aramco Buyer: The person or company authorized by Saudi

3.5.10 Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Environment: Process streams that

3.5.11 Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) Environment: Process streams that

3.6 Drawings and Calculations

4.1.1 The Tank Manufacturer shall submit a complete material specification

The Tank Manufacturer may propose the use of alternative materials to

Materials proposed by the Tank Manufacturer that are equivalent to those

4.1.2 Materials that cannot be Completely Identified

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

4.1.3 Accessory Pressure Parts

(Exception) Accessory pressure parts shall be clearly identified and

4.1.4 Small Parts

4.2.1.2 (Exception) The design metal temperature as defined in this specification

4.2.2 Low-Stress Design

4.3 Pipe, Flanges, Forging, and Castings

4.3.1 (Exception to Foot Note): Materials to be used for design metal

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

4.3.-7 HIC Environments Requirements

Piping components (such as nozzle/manway necks, elbow, etc.) made from

4.3.8 SSC Environments Requirements

Forged flanges and forged fittings used in the manufacture of tanks

4.4 Bolting Material

Gasket materials shall be non-asbestos and compatible with the service

5.1.6 Design Information

used for the design of cylindrical flat-bottom, spherical, and spheroidal

5.1.6.2 Low-pressure, horizontal, cylindrical tanks shall be mechanically designed

Associated piping systems loads shall be specified on the tank data

5.7 Corrosion Allowance

Corrosion allowance shall be provided, as specified on the tank data sheet.

5.9 Procedure for Designing Tank Walls