December 8, 1998 On November requirements 19, testing of at Chapter for 1998, the 245, newly and Division of F Subchapter

constructed, evaluated newly constructed tanks. The following department and industry representatives participated: Storage and industry reconstructed alternatives Tanks in Powers, AST Development Chief, Storage Tanks Division, DEP (Chairperson) practices S. and modified Raymond to sponsored a American large hydrostatic technical Mark Rothstein, P.E., PECO Energy (Storage Tank Advisory Committee Member) Petroleum aboveground testing workgroup Institutetanks storage when Wayne meetingBailey, Certified Inspector, Mid Atlantic Tank Inspection Services, Inc. (API) The (ASTs). to sufficient review fill standards 650 workgroup water to Scott V. Shadle, Certified Inspector, Shadle Tank Inspection & Services regulatory and 653 discussed large ASTs is not S. Petro, Manager, CBI Services, Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. Kenneth available, with Howard W. Nickle, Engineer, SUNOCO, Marcus Hook Refinery primary emphasis on Robert W. Meley, Ph.D., P.E., Meley Engineering Corporation Greg Bowman, Chief, Storage Tanks Section, SCRO Larry Frey, AST Technical Staff, Storage Tanks Division John W. Storb, Sr., P.E., Storb Incorporated The workgroup Workgroup began with members insufficient generalthat agreedis water upon tested discussion fill newrare. to available completion are ASTs on when Most were tanks constructed in areas where insufficient water was considered to be available for testing. constructed the tanks. These of tank. Two new the tank hydrostatic to API workgroup construction workgroup Department testing is to standard members and prior regulations case basis required 650 are that indicated connecting require through variance to and tanks are required new how the piping to with that hydrostatic regulatorywhen approach approved oftenshell. undergo routinely tank of alternative testing variance the insufficient stipulated. alternative hydrostatic hydrostatically Exceptions testingis new tanks provisions. understanding water is testing to alternate occurs and and After that Obtaining available used. unless hydrostatic more for alternative considerable testing water appropriate local testing are frequently, testing discussion, methods hydrostatic engineering permits. water. perhapsand methodsasfor most is necessary testing considerations Depending Many testing, 20 often be must as ofand workgroup some tanks disposing andlocal on alternate members generally Haulingof percent on approved members variances of water testingby conditions, the only water additional a case byofthe supported are should truck after testing procedures disposal workgroup feasiblebe tanker concerns test. require testshort expressed for be from the most convenient source. The workgroup described the following water sources: can water about Routine obtained advance can be of a that hauling distances impractical situations filling planningof more to Municipal water supply - frequently used water it or when that theone because where typical and tank an usually difficult from the numberPumping from surface water or river water - frequently used alternate addressed A large could take million require of the and time AST by tank capacity Fire fighting resources or hydrants - often used testing prior to hydrostatic portiontank of tankers several gallon state testmust consuming tanker of is less process construction, test, or workgroups needed, Groundwater sources - occasional or seldom used weeks can truck, it bethat than with a start for whenwas functions time and continual Tanker truck hauling - seldom used usually is obtainingan hydrostatic severalofto qualified determined can be devoted costs. filling completed the alternate hundred by engineers that toone achieved discussion Members on AST within thousandfull direct testing alternate the primary expressed obtain a means or two may gallons. involvement be necessary. and specific technical hydrostatic weeks. in the total Workgroup engineering reasons for Water is tank system members considerations conducting usually design, agreed site that the should be

evaluation and planning engineer of alternate must be settlement testing able stress and to engineer procedures. determine affects the and on on test a In addition to and alternative procedures or testing methods which can be used to achieve similar results. the bearing connected piping load accomplishes having It subsurface piping. The expert. components experienceProof Test or Stress Test of: the Tank conditions, in tank agreed was engineer Structural This includes testing the tank shell, the shell to bottom seam (corner weld) and of the tank. tankbearing design soil no the may need that The shell and capability of assistance alternative workgroup penetrations stress of the construction, and will an testing described all of the following: (manholes, hydrostatic performing the projected experienced provide a the nozzles, load. tankstress the geotechnical full Design following cleanout Alternative settlement,with load and functions fitting and tests tank a specific as well shell of equivalent load of the stored substance. that asheets) door a as, procedures gravity to theplatethan full visual and radiographic examination of all welds on shell plate penetrations. hydrostatic for gross to less Conduct hydrostatic the test thicknessnumber and locations of radiographic examinations of shell plate horizontal and vertical weld seams defects in If compensate 1.0. Increase the materialsaor for for this stored NOTE (particularly in the first shell course). 1 workmanship minimum function of substancethe full length of the shell to bottom joint (corner weld) by magnetic particle NOTE 2 Examine OR liquid penetrant methods. whilespecific under the has a Conduct a gravity hydrostatic specific NOTE controlled for signs of buckling, distortion and weld failure. 3 increments load of test include gravity incremental one (1.0). greater Leak first filling Test The Tank : The hydrostatic test is a form of leak integrity test for the tank bottom, the tank shell and the shell to bottom Most than seam.of the tank leak tests can be accomplished by performing all of the following: Alternative petroleum water, with product products design for The tank bottom welds can be leak tested using the vacuum box method the tank bottom by injecting an inert gas OR test (stored have the under the tank bottom and using a gas detection devise on the top side of the tank floor to check for leaks. substance) specific and Conduct a vacuum gage test on reinforcement plates for shell penetrations. carefully Test all tank shell course seam welds for leaks by liquid penetrant vacuum box methods. OR NOTE 3 check the Closely monitor the tank for leaks during controlled incremental filling with product. tank at Pre-Loading and Settlement Test of the Tank Foundation : The hydrostatic test is used to overload the tank foundation and create initial settlement Measurements prior to to are primarily preconstruction geotechnical site analysis and engineering design specifications. are taken Alternatives connecting evaluate the piping Conduct extensive geotechnical analysis of the site surface and subsurface, including soil borings, load testing, and foundation and filling and analysis of samples. settlement laboratory theidentifyexisting load bearing conditions and develop sound engineering construction specifications necessary to to tank Determine with compensate support product. problems for compacting The tank is before they anticipated reinforced concrete slab foundations. materials, constructing filled foundation with become providing Construct waterand piping in serious. drainage, plans prior to filling of the tank. emergency response prescribed support conduct a controlled slow incremental filling of the tank with product.3 stabilizing NOTEClosely monitor the tank filling and containment certain Plan and stages. settlement. structure, roofs soft throughout that measure This may materials at are settlement occurs. its install include with overfill designed operational frequent additives The protection, to be excavating height and Conduct gas Floatation Testand Floating Roof hydrostatic test of the floating roof is used to confirm that the roof travels freely : The intervals. compaction, and tight. and develop that the roof controlled Immediately driving piles and tank Thesereplacing is incremental tests stop materials, and and implement include filling structurally floatation tests can be tested by performing all of the following alternative methods: first filling hydrostatic spill pneumatic sound and tank of the begin prevention test or leak-free. product the tank roof and seals for defects. with removal of Visually check vacuum API and while liquid penetrant test, vacuum box test inert gas test on deck seams. product if Perform OR box test. specifies frequentlyor excessive Tank checking the required roofs NOTE uneven and evidence of leaks or malfunctions. 3 wet spots that tank alternate roof for require tests fora travel, free

The workgroup certain agreed thatand alterations following API that modifications the require standard to existing procedures any 653 The1. does tanks. design engineer and the tank inspector should agree on the number and location of additional radiographic NOTE: in API reconstructed provide for All routine welding qualifications and quality assurance practices shall be adhered to. Department standard examinations. tank must alternatives do regulations 653. Thea full undergo 2. This to allow the test workgroup hydrostatic hydrostatic examination alternative agreed that after 3. The design testing of shall method the API reconstruction engineering shallprior to underbe taken, as well as, acceptable settlement projections. include existing tanks standard and specification specified backand the being placed shall include conditions gouging department into service. the for acceptable weld rules rate of and surfaces correctlyfill and increments at checking of which root both the settlement pass and the measurements final pass welds.