Additional Requirements for IP 9-2-1

INTERNATIONAL Pressure Storage Spheres Page 1 of 8

PRACTICE (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document) Rev. 0 March 1998

Changes shown by 

SCOPE
I  1.1 This practice covers the modifications and additions to IP 5-1-1 for the design, fabrication, and inspection
of non-refrigerated carbon steel pressure storage spheres.
I 1.2 An asterisk () indicates that a decision by the Purchaser is required or that additional information is
furnished by the Purchaser.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

R 2.1 (Modification) This practice covers the design, fabrication, inspection, and testing of spheres under the
provisions of ASME Code Section VIII, Division 1 or Division 2, API-620, or recognized codes of other
nations.
Spheres may be designed, fabricated, inspected and tested under the provisions of a code which is
accepted by the authorities where the sphere is to be located and by the Owner's Engineer plus the
additional requirements of this practice; such codes are referred to as recognized codes in this practice.
The requirements of the recognized code (of other nations or ASME Section VIII, Division 2) may be used
in lieu of any specific ASME requirements referenced herein for non-ASME Division 1 spheres.
I 2.2 (Addition) Table 1 lists the practice and standards which shall be used with this practice to supplement
IP 5-1-1, Table 1.
I  2.3 (Addition) Table 2 lists the practices and standard which shall be used with this practice to supplement
IP 5-1-1, Table 2 as specified by the Purchaser.

 TABLE 1

IP 5-1-1 Pressure Vessels

ANSI Standard
A12.1 Safety Requirements for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings and Toeboards
ASME Standard
B16.11 Forged Steel Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded

  TABLE 2

IP 3-15-1 Pressure Relief Valves

IP 5-1-2 Additional requirements for Heavy Wall Pressure Vessels, Thickness Over 2 Inches
STANDARD

API Standard
620 Recommended Rules for Design and Construction of Large Welded, Low-Pressure
Storage Tanks

I  2.4 For User convenience, the beginning of each paragraph in this practice is noted as follows:
a. (Addition) The paragraph specifies additions to IP 5-1-1.
b. (Modification) The paragraph specifies modifications to IP 5-1-1.

DOCUMENTATION
I 3.1 (Modification) An outline drawing shall be furnished for each sphere, and shall contain the data shown in
Table 3. Location of the sphere marking or name-plate shall be indicated on this drawing.
I  3.2 (Modification) A manufacturer's data report shall be furnished and shall contain the same information as
required in Form U-1 of ASME Code Section VIII. If the sphere is constructed for use at a location where
the ASME Code is not mandatory, it shall be noted on the form if the sphere does not carry an ASME Code
symbol. Material strength properties, specified or guaranteed, shall be included and shall represent the
properties in the as-fabricated condition. The data report shall be signed by the Manufacturer, by an
Authorized Inspector as defined in Par. UG-91 of the ASME Code, and as otherwise required by the
applicable code. Other documentation (code papers, etc.) covering the construction of spheres built to the
code of another nation shall be signed by the manufacturer and, where applicable, by others having
authority to sign such documentation.

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 IP 9-2-1 Additional Requirements for
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PRACTICE
Rev. 0 March 1998 (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document)

Six signed copies of data reports and other required documentation shall be submitted to the Inspector
prior to shipment of the sphere.
I  3.3 (Addition) Six copies of a gage table showing calculated capacity shall be furnished. Unless otherwise
specified, capacity shall be shown in 42 U.S. gallon barrels for 1/8 in. increments of liquid level [m 3 for 10
mm increments plus auxiliary table showing m 3 for 1 mm increments].

MATERIALS
S  4.1 (Modification) Materials having a specified minimum tensile strength at room temperature greater than
70,000 psi (482 MPa) shall not be used without approval of the Owner's Engineer.
S 4.2 (Addition) Castings shall not be used as pressure components welded to the shell of spheres.
S 4.3 (Addition) Sphere Supports. The code allowable tensile and compressive stress basis for spheres shall
also apply to sphere supports.
R,S 4.4 (Addition) Materials for permanent attachments, welded to the sphere, shall be of the same nominal
chemical composition and physical properties as the sphere.
S 4.5 (Addition) The Critical Exposure Temperature (CET) for pressure storage spheres is defined as the lower
of the following:
a. Lowest one day mean temperature.
b. The temperature equivalent to 25% of the design pressure on the vapor pressure curve for the
material stored.

DESIGN
S  5.1 (Addition) Design, fabrication and inspection of spheres shall be per the applicable code and standard
used for the design pressure. If designed per the ASME Codes or API Standards, the following applies:

DESIGN PRESSURE CODE AND STANDARD

Full vacuum to atmospheric ASME Code Section VIII and API-620

Atmospheric to 15 psig (103 kPa) API-620

Over 15 psig and less than or equal to 2 ASME Code Section VIII, with maximum
in. (50 mm) thickness compressive stress allowed per API-620
if more conservative

Over 15 psig and over 2 in. thickness IP 5-1-2, with maximum compressive stresses
allowed per API-620 if more conservative

DESIGN LOADS
S  5.2 (Addition) Spheres with a design pressure greater than 15 psig (103 kPa) shall be designed to be filled
with water. A combination hydrostatic-pneumatic test shall not be used without approval of the Owner's
Engineer.
M,O  5.3 (Addition) The elevation of the bottom of the sphere above finished grade shall be specified, but in no
case shall the bottom be less than 3 ft (900 mm) above finished grade.

NOZZLES AND CONNECTIONS

O 5.4 (Addition) The hydrocarbon pump suction internal extension shall be 6 in. (150 mm) above the bottom
tangent of the sphere or 6 in. (150 mm) above the water drawoff inlet, whichever is higher.

MANHOLES
S 5.5 (Modification) A 20 in. (500 mm) manhole shall be provided in the top and bottom of each sphere.
Manhole covers shall be hinged or provided with handling davits.

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 Additional Requirements for IP 9-2-1
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PRACTICE (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document) Rev. 0 March 1998

AUXILIARY STRUCTURES

STAIRWAYS AND PLATFORMS

O  6.1 (Addition) Stairways and platforms shall be provided to allow access to operating valves and
instruments. Auxiliary structures to service instruments, connections, and access openings at the bottom
of the sphere will be specified.
O,S 6.2 (Addition) A stairway with handrail shall be provided from grade to the top of the sphere.
S 6.3 (Addition) Stairways shall have the following provisions:
a. Maximum angle with a horizontal line shall be 45 degrees.
b. Minimum effective tread width shall be 8 in. (200 mm).
c. Minimum effective width of stairways shall be 2 ft 6 in. (750 mm).
d. Stair landings shall not be less than 2 ft 6 in. in the direction of the stairway.
M,O 6.4 (Addition) Platform flooring shall be steel floor plate, raised pattern, 1/4 in. (6 mm) nominal thickness.
Drainage shall be provided by one 1/2 in. (13 mm) diameter hole for approximately every 15 sq. ft (1.5 m 2)
of floor plate area. Holes shall be located and drilled after installation.
 If a platform extension of the top stairway landing is specified (for access to attachments on the top
of the sphere), this platform shall be grating.
M,O 6.5 (Addition) Guard railings and toe plates shall enclose all nozzle, pressure relief device and instrument
attachments located on the top of the sphere.
S 6.6 (Addition) Railing and toe plates shall be carbon steel and be per ANSI A12.1.

FABRICATION
R 7.1 (Modification) All reinforcing plates and sphere legs shall be provided with 1/4 in. (6 mm) vent holes.
These holes shall be plugged with plastic sealant after the sphere has been hydrostatically tested.
S 7.2 (Modification) All joints between shell plates shall be of the double butt welded type with complete
penetration and complete fusion.
S  7.3 (Addition) Spheres constructed of materials having minimum specified tensile strength greater than 70,000
psi (482 MPa) shall be postweld heat treated.
R 7.4 (Addition) Detailed procedures for postweld heat treatment (PWHT) of spheres including thermocouple
locations shall be submitted to the Purchaser for review prior to PWHT.

INSPECTION AND TESTING

I 8.1 (Addition) Mill test data. If inspection is not made at the fabricators' plant or mill, the mill test data
(including chemical and physical properties) shall be forwarded to the Purchaser no later than the time of
plate shipment to the field. All chemical and physical reports shall indicate the specification to which the
steel was manufactured and the heat treatment condition. All plates and data reports shall be readily
identifiable with matching heat numbers.
R 8.2 (Addition) Field erected spheres shall be inspected. Inspection includes witnessing of field test.

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 IP 9-2-1 Additional Requirements for
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PRACTICE
Rev. 0 March 1998 (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document)

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
R  8.3 (Modification) As a minimum, weld seams shall be examined per the following:
a. A minimum of one spot radiograph shall be taken at each weld intersection, one in each vertical
(Meridional weld seam) and one for each 20 ft (6 m) of weld seam, at locations designated by the
Inspector.
b. Weld seams that are not stressed to at least the design stress in the corroded condition
during the hydrostatic test, shall be subject to 100% radiographic examination.
c. Weld seams covered by a nozzle reinforcing pad or any other structural overlay shall be spot
radiographed in the portion covered.
R  8.4 (Modification) For 100% radiographed spheres, all welded joints that can not be radiographed between
nozzles and the shell, and between the nozzles and the flanges, shall be examined by the magnetic
particle method as follows:
a. Welded joints between nozzle necks and the shell shall be examined prior to installation of any
reinforcing pads.
b. The back side of the root pass, where applicable, shall be examined after being prepared for welding,
as well as both sides of the completed weld.
c. A final magnetic particle inspection of the completed weld shall be performed after PWHT, except
where weld will be inaccessible (such as under reinforcing pads).
R  8.5 (Addition) Materials having a minimum specified tensile strength of 80,000 psi (550 MPa) or greater shall
have all attachment welds and all areas where fitup bars, etc. were temporarily attached examined
by magnetic particle techniques before final PWHT and after hydrostatic testing.
S  8.6 (Addition) 100% of all pressure containing and support attachment welds shall be examined by wet
fluorescent magnetic particle methods or a contrast wet magnetic particle method using a thin-film white
paint and black powder. Full penetration welds shall be examined on both the inside (ID) and outside (OD)
surfaces.

ACCESSORIES

FIREWATER DELUGE AND SPRAY SYSTEMS

S 9.1 (Addition) The sphere vendor shall furnish and install deluge system piping and components,
terminating at laterals at the base of the sphere.
S  9.2 (Addition) The final design of firewater deluge systems shall be approved by the Owner's Engineer.
S  9.3 (Addition) If not otherwise specified, the design of firewater deluge systems shall be per the following:
a. A top mounted cooling water deluge system as shown in Figure 2. This will provide a minimum
rate of 0.1 to 0.15 gpm per sq. ft (0.24 to 0.37 m 3/h per m 2). The water deluge shall cover the total
surface above the maximum equator. For diameters greater than 85 ft (26 m), the system shall be
sized to deliver 0.15 gpm per sq. ft.
b. Spray nozzles for the bottom half of spheres shall be the non-clogging type, and shall have a
minimum orifice opening of 1/2 in. (13 mm).
c. Baffles or diverters shall be used to ensure coverage in areas shielded from direct water flow by
appurtenances, platforms, and toe plates.

WATER DRAWOFF
O,S 9.4 (Addition) If a water drawoff is specified for spheres which will operate in a freezing climate, it shall be per
Figure 1. If it is possible for water to accumulate and freeze in a bottom manhole, the drawoff pipe shall
be extended down to within 3 in. (75 mm) of the manhole cover. A union shall be provided at the turndown
point above the manhole to facilitate access. If the sphere is to be used for storage of stocks subject to
polymerization or formation of peroxide, i.e., butadiene, isoprene, etc., the internal water drawoff piping
shall be deleted and the drawoff connection shall be flush with the bottom.
 As required, heat tracing or winterization of drawoff connections and piping shall be installed by Purchaser
or vendor, as specified.

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EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
 Additional Requirements for IP 9-2-1
INTERNATIONAL Pressure Storage Spheres Page 5 of 8
PRACTICE (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document) Rev. 0 March 1998

O 9.5 (Addition) If a water drawoff is specified for spheres which will operate in a nonfreezing climate and the
stock stored can auto-refrigerate on reduction to atmospheric pressure, the water drawoff may be located
in the bottom of the sphere, bottom manhole cover plate, or on a bottom nozzle without internal riser,
whichever location provides for all water removal. The water drawoff shall be at least NPS 3/4 (20 mm) but
shall not exceed NPS 2 (50 mm), and shall be equipped with two valves approximately 6 in. (150 mm)
apart. The valve next to the shell shall be a quick action type, such as a metal seated plug valve.

PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

S  9.6 (Addition) Pressure and vacuum relief devices if required, their associated block valves and piping
shall be furnished and installed by sphere vendor or Purchaser, as specified.
S  9.7 (Addition) If the number, type, and size of pressure and vacuum relief devices have not been
specified, vendor's proposals shall be submitted to the Purchaser for review by the Owner's Engineer.

STRUCTURE LIGHTNING PROTECTION

S  9.8 (Addition) Connectors and conductors shall be furnished and installed by the Purchaser or vendor, as
specified, if the column support/foundation design does not provide adequate grounding for lightning
protection.

PAINTING, THERMAL INSULATION, AND FIREPROOFING

S  9.9 (Addition) Fireproofing shall be done by Purchaser or vendor, as specified. Columns and other
structural members required for static strength bracing up to and including the support level of the sphere
shall be fireproofed. The fireproofing encasement shall not, however, cover any portion of the support at
points where they are welded to the shell.

Revision Memo
9/68 Original Issue of Basic Practice
6/70 Revision 1
6/71 Revision 2
1/85 Revision 3
12/93 Revision 4
3/98 Revision 0 - Original Issue of International Practice
General editorial revision to rationalize this practice with the referenced standards and other IP’s. Since this IP now
references IP 5-1-1 and contains only the additional requirements for spheres, the following old Pars. have been
deleted since they are covered in IP 5-1-1: Pars. 2.4, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11,
5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.17, 5.19, 7.3, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 8.10, 8.12, 8.13, 8.14, 8.15, 8.16, and 9.15 . Par. 1.1
modified to state this IP covers additional requirements to IP 5-1-1. Par. 5.1 modified to all allowable stresses per
applicable code. Old Pars. 8.5 and 8.6 deleted. Old Par. 9.1 deleted. Old Pars. 9.9 and 9.10 deleted. Old Pars.
9.12 and 9.13 deleted.

 Exxon Research and Engineering Company, 1993, 1998

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EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
 IP 9-2-1 Additional Requirements for
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PRACTICE
Rev. 0 March 1998 (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document)

TABLE 3 (MODIFICATION)

General Note: For data reporting in SI units: Fluid Pressure in kPa, Temperature in C, Linear
measurements in mm, Material Stress in MPa, Energy valves in J.

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 Additional Requirements for IP 9-2-1
INTERNATIONAL Pressure Storage Spheres Page 7 of 8
PRACTICE (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document) Rev. 0 March 1998

FIGURE 1 (ADDITION)
WATER DRAWOFF PIPING
(SPHERE LOCATED IN FREEZING CLIMATE ZONE)

Union 3
C Sphere
1 in. NPS
Union
Note (2) 2 in. NPS

Support
Min.
1 2

Water drawoff 42 in.

piping to (Approx.)
terminate at 18 in.
least 15 ft from
sphere

Purchaser Vendor

DETAILA
Hydrocarbon Pump
2 in.
Suction
(Approx.)

Union
Alternative piping
layout if drawoff is
extended into
3 in. bottom manhole

DETAILA 090201F1

ACCEPTABLE METRIC EQUIVALENTS

in. 2 3 18 42 155 t NPS 1 2
mm 50 75 450 1050 4.5 m 25 50

Notes:
(1) Water drawoff piping material to be of the same normal chemistry as the shell. Pipe to be Schd. XS, fittings to
be 3000 lb.
 (2) Valves  and  to be metal seated plug or ball valves unless otherwise specified.
General Note:
The water drawoff system is operated as follows (Step procedure in order given):
1. To draw water: first open valve  wide and then throttle with valve 
2. After water has been drawn, close valve  and open valve 
3. Allow time to displace water from the drawoff line and then close valves  and 
When water is not being drawn, all valves should remain closed.

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 IP 9-2-1 Additional Requirements for
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PRACTICE
Rev. 0 March 1998 (This practice is appropriate for attachment to Inquiry or Purchase Document)

FIGURE 2(1) (ADDITION)

TYPICAL PIPING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOP MOUNTED
FIREWATER DELUGE SYSTEMS
See Detail A
20 in. Approx. (2)

Identification Sign
For Operating
Valve Feed Pipe
(See Chart)
Drain
Operating Valve
Valve

NOTICE
Dike
Valve Box
(If Required) Slope

Firewater 3D
ELEVATION
Main Washer
(Stop)
1/4 in.
Plate
2/3 D
Acceptable Metric Equivalents
Figure 1 Detail A 2D R. Welding Reducer
ITEM in. mm 3/4 in. Bolt (See Chart)
(Concentric)
Plate 1/4 6

Bar 1/2 x 3/4 12 x 20

Bolt 3/4 M20 1/2 in.

1/2 x 3/4 in. Bar
D (Feed Pipe Nominal Diam) D (NPS, in.) x 25 mm
DETAILA
DELUGE HEAD

DELUGE FEED PIPE and NOZZLE DIMENSIONS

SPHERE DIAMETER DELUGE FEED PIPE DELUGE NOZZLE
Size (NPS) x Wall Thickness Welding Reducer Size (NPS)
ft. mm in. mm in. mm
45 13.5 3 x Schd 4D 80 x 5.49 3 x 1-1/2 80 x 40
>45 to 60 >13.5 to 18 4 x Schd 4D 100 x 6.02 4x2 100 x 50
>60 to 85 >18 to 26 6 x Schd 4D 150 x 7.11 6x3 150 x 80

090201F2

Notes:
(1) Where sectionalized spray coverage is required, multiple deluge heads and individual piping including control at
the valve box shall be provided.
(2) The specified 20 in. (500 mm) dimension may be varied to permit the water to clear obstacles such as
appurtenances and platforms.

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EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY — FLORHAM PARK, N.J.