A Quick Guide to API 653 Certified Storage Tank Inspector Syllabus

Clifford Matthews CEng, FIMechE is Director of Matthews Engineering Training Limited, UK, which runs training courses in API 510/570/653, plant inspection, code design, pressure relief equipment and related subjects: over 4000 delegates have been trained in the past 10 years. He has worldwide experience in various industries and is the author of several books on topics relating to inspection. Matthews Training’s approach to teaching API subjects has achieved a first-time examination pass rate in the region of 90%.The company is an authorised global training provider to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

The Quick Guide Series

How to Use This Book

Chapter 1: Interpreting API and ASME Codes

1.1 Codes and the real world

1.2 ASME construction codes

1.3 API inspection codes

1.4 Code revisions

1.5 Code illustrations

1.6 New construction versus repair activity

1.7 Conclusion: interpreting API and ASME codes

Chapter 2: An Introduction to API 653: 2009 and its Related Codes

2.1 Section 1: scope

2.2 Section 3: definitions

2.3 API 653 scope and definitions: practice questions

Chapter 3: An Introduction to API RP 575

3.1 Scope

3.2 API 575 sections 1 and 2: scope and references

3.3 API 575 section 3: definitions

3.4 API 575 section 4: types of storage tanks

3.5 API RP 575: practice questions

Chapter 4: Reasons for Inspection: Damage Mechanisms

4.1 The approach to damage mechanisms (DMs)

4.2 API 575 section 5: reasons for inspection

4.3 API 571: introduction

4.4 The first group of DMs

4.5 API 571 practice questions (set 1)

4.6 The second group of DMs

4.7 API 571 practice questions (set 2)

4.8 The third group of API 571 DMs

4.9 API 571 practice questions (set 3)

Chapter 5: Inspection Practices Frequency

5.1 API 653 section 6: inspection

5.2 API 653 section 6: view of RBI

5.3 API 575 section 6: inspection frequency and scheduling

5.4 API RP 575: inspection practices

5.5 API 653: inspection intervals: practice questions

Chapter 6: Evaluation of Corroded Tanks

6.1 Introduction

6.2 The contents of API 653 section 4: suitability for service

6.3 Tank roof evaluation

6.4 Shell evaluation

6.5 API 653 (4.4): tank bottom evaluation

6.6 Foundation evaluation: API 653 (4.5)

6.7 Bottom settlement: API 653 Annex B

6.8 API 653 section 4: evaluation: practice questions (set 1)

6.9 API 653 appendix B: tank bottom settlement: practice questions (set 2)

Chapter 7: API 650: Tank Design

7.1 Reminder: the API 653 body of knowledge (BOK)

7.2 API 650: material allowable stresses

7.3 API 650: material toughness requirements

7.4 Tank component arrangement and sizes

7.5 Some tips on exam questions

7.6 Finally: bits and pieces from the API 650 appendices

Chapter 8: Tank Non-destructive Examination

8.1 The ideas behind API 653 section 12: examination and testing

8.2 Weld leak testing

8.3 How much RT does API 650 require?

8.4 How much RT does API 653 require?

8.5 Tank NDE: practice questions

Chapter 9: Tank Repairs and Alterations

9.1 Repairs or alterations?

9.2 Hydrotest requirements

9.3 Repair and alterations – practical requirements

9.4 Repair of shell plates

9.5 Shell penetrations

9.6 Adding an additional bottom through an existing tombstone plate (9.9.4)

9.7 Repair of tank bottoms

9.8 Repair of tank roofs

9.9 Hot tapping: API 653 (9.14)

9.10 Tank repair and alteration – other requirements

9.11 Repair and alterations: practice questions

Chapter 10: Tank Reconstruction

10.1 Code requirements for tank reconstruction

10.2 Reconstruction responsibilities

10.3 API 653 section 10: structure

10.4 Reconstruction (10.4 and 10.5)

10.5 API 653 section 10: dismantling and reconstruction: practice questions

Chapter 11: Hydrostatic Testing and Brittle Fracture

11.1 What is the subject about?

11.2 Why? The objectives of a hydrotest

11.3 When is a hydrotest required?

11.4 Avoiding brittle fracture

11.5 Is a hydrotest needed? API 653 flowchart (Fig. 5-1)

11.6 API 653: hydrotesting: practice questions

Chapter 12: Tank Linings: API RP 652

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Linings and their problems, problems, problems

12.3 So where does API 652 fit in?

12.4 European surface preparation standards

12.5 Tank linings: practice questions

Chapter 13: Introduction to Welding/API RP 577

13.1 Module introduction

13.2 Welding processes

13.3 Welding consumables

13.4 Welding process familiarization questions

13.5 Welding consumables familiarization questions

Chapter 14: Welding Qualifications and ASME IX

14.1 Module introduction

14.1.1 Weld procedure documentation: which code to follow?

14.2 Formulating the qualification requirements

14.3 Welding documentation reviews: the exam questions

14.4 ASME IX article I

14.5 Section QW-140 types and purposes of tests and examinations

14.6 ASME IX article II

14.7 ASME IX articles I and II familiarization questions

14.8 ASME IX article III

14.9 ASME IX article IV

14.10 ASME IX articles III and IV familiarization questions

14.11 The ASME IX review methodology

14.12 ASME IX WPS/PQR review: worked example

Chapter 15: Cathodic Protection: API RP 651

15.1 Cathodic protection–what’s it all about?

15.2 The content of API 651

15.3 Determination of the need for cathodic protection (API 651 section 5)

15.4 Criteria for cathodic protection (API 651 section 8)

15.5 Operation and maintenance of CP systems (API 651 section 11)

15.6 API 651: cathodic protection: practice questions

Chapter 16: The NDE Requirements of ASME V

16.1 Introduction

16.2 ASME V article 1: general requirements

16.3 ASME V article 2: radiographic examination

16.4 ASME V article 6: penetrant testing (PT)

16.5 ASME V articles 1, 2 and 6: familiarization questions

16.6 ASME V article 7: magnetic testing (MT)

16.7 ASME V article 23: ultrasonic thickness checking

16.8 ASME V articles 7 and 23: familiarization questions

Chapter 17: Thirty Open-book Sample Questions

Chapter 18: Answers

18.1 Familiarization question answers

18.2 Answers to open-book sample questions

Appendix

Index