Inspection Practices and Frequency

Q1. API 653: tank inspection intervals

Fundamentally, under the API methodology, how are the
inspection intervals (both internal and external) for storage
tanks decided?
(a) They are based on the tables in API 653
(b) They are based on local legislation (‘jurisdiction’)
(c) They are based on the results of previous service
history
(d) They are based on the results of a mandatory RBI
Analysis

Q2. API 653: tank external inspection intervals What is the maximum period
that API 653 specifies for an external inspection by an API-authorized tank
inspector?
(a) There is not one (it can vary depending on history, RBI results, etc.)
(b) 5 years or ½ of the remaining corrosion life
(c) 5 years or ¼ of the remaining corrosion life
(d) 10 years or ½ of the remaining corrosion life

Q3. API 653: shell UT inspection intervals What is the maximum period that
API 653 specifies for UT thickness checking of the shell if the corrosion rate is
not known?
a) There is not one (it can vary depending on history, RBI results, etc.)
(b) 1 year
(c) 2 years
(d) 5 years

Q4. API 653: shell UT inspection intervals What is the maximum period that
API 653 specifies for UT thickness checking of the shell when the corrosion
rate is known and has been validated within the past 5 years?
(a) 5 years
(b) 15 years or ½ of the remaining corrosion life
(c) 5 years or ¼ of the remaining corrosion life
(d) 10 years or ¼ of the remaining corrosion life

Q5. API 653: tank internal inspection intervals Which part of the tank normally
‘controls’ the internal inspection interval?
(a) The bottom
(b) The lower courses of the shell
(c) The fluid interface areas of the shell
(d) The condition of the tank nozzle-to-shell welds

Q6. API 653: initial internal inspection intervals What is the maximum period
that API 653 specifies for the first internal inspection interval if a formal
documented RBI evaluation has not been carried out?
(a) 10 years
(b) 20 years
(c) ½ corrosion life if the corrosion rate is known, 20 years if it is not
(d) ½ corrosion life if the corrosion rate is known, 10 years if it is not
Q7. API 653: following inspection intervals What is the absolute maximum
internal inspection interval for a tank containing oil (following the initial one)
under any scenario?
(a) 20 years (b) 25 years
(c) 30 years (d) There is not one

Q8. API 653: interval exemptions

Tanks containing which of these products are exempt from API
653 maximum internal inspection intervals?
(a) Light distillate
(b) Asphalt
(c) Crude oil
(d) Toxic substances

Q9. API 653: repair recommendations

Whose job is it to provide repair recommendations for tanks?
(a) The examiner
(b) The inspector
(c) The owner/operator
(d) All of the above

Q10. API 653: NDE qualifications

Examiners doing NDE of tanks must be qualified according to
the requirements of:
(a) API 650 (UT/RT ASNT-SNT-TC-1A, MT/PTAPI650)
(b) API 653 Appendix D
(c) ASME V
(d) ASME IX
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