AS 1692—1989

Australian StandardR

Tanks for flammable and

combustible liquids
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee ME/17, Flammable & Combustible
Liquids. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 29 June 1989
and published on 11 December 1989.

The following interests are represented on Committee ME/17:

Association of Australian Port and Marine Authorities
Australian Institute of Petroleum
Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation
Board of Fire Commissioners New South Wales
Confederation of Australian Industry
Department of Administrative Services
Department of Defence
Department of Industrial Relations and Employment, New South Wales
Department of Labour, South Australia
Department of Labour, Victoria
Department of Local Government, Queensland
Department of Mines, Tasmania
Department of Mines, Western Australia
Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism & Territories
Electricity Supply Association of Australia
Insurance Council of Australia
Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia
Railways of Australia Committee
Work Health Authority, Northern Territory
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to
periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important
therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue
of Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which
subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of
withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are
welcomed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without
delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.
 AS 1692—1989

Australian StandardR

Tanks for flammable and

combustible liquids

First published as part of AS CB5—1942.

Second edition 1957.
Third edition 1969.
AS CB21 first published 1966.
Second edition 1969.
Redesignated AS CB21.1—1969, June 1972.
AS CB21.2 first published 1972.
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

Parts of AS CB5—1969, AS CB21.1—1969 and AS

CB21.2—1972 revised, amalgamated and redesignated
AS 1692—1975.
Second edition 1983.
Third edition 1989.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 5855 5
 PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Flammable and
Combustible Liquids, to supersede AS 1692–1983. The Standard was originally derived from
AS CB5, Oil fuel installations, which was first issued in 1942. When AS 1940, SAA
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code was issued in 1976, the requirements for the
construction of tanks, as distinct from their installation, were extracted to be dealt with in a
separate reference standard.
At that time a decision was made to limit the Standard to steel tanks, largely as a matter of
convenience and expediency, i.e. the framework already existed in AS CB5 and other
Standards, and steel tanks were well understood and quite common, while requirements for
other materials would have needed time to develop.
The 1983 edition extended the scope to include stainless steel tanks. Consideration was given
to the inclusion of aluminium, but the very wide variety of alloys, with widely differing
strengths and susceptibility to corrosion, made it difficult to recommend thicknesses with any
degree of confidence. Since aluminium is not in widespread use, and is then mainly used in
special cases where compatibility with the contents is a major consideration, it was decided to
omit it from the Standard, and treat it under Clause 1.6.
Thicknesses for all materials were chosen on the same premise as before, i.e. the thickness for
all tanks except Category 6 are empirical, being the result of experience rather than accurate
stress calculations. It has been considered that stresses will be comparatively low and that the
need for the tank to be reasonably sturdy for handling, or a need for corrosion allowance, and
similar practical factors dictate the material thickness. Other limiting assumptions which
have a bearing on the shell thickness are as follows:
(a) Liquid levels after normal filling will not be substantially above the ‘tank–full’
condition. No allowance has been made for the effect of filling an extended pipe to a
level substantially above the tank.
(b) The vapour space pressure will not exceed 35 kPa.
(c) The length/diameter ratio of an aboveground tank on two supports will not exceed 5.
(d) Shells are not stiffened.
(e) The material is commercial grade low–carbon steel.
(f) The liquid being stored is not more corrosive than normal petroleum products.
(g) The density of the liquid being stored will not exceed 1000 kg/m3.
(h) The possibility of using thinner materials, compensating by special shaping,
corrugating, bracing or stiffening, is recognized, especially for stainless steel. Any such
alternatives may be admissible under Clause 1.6.
Outside these conditions, the assumptions and hence the requirements are no longer valid and
specific approval may be necessary.
This Standard does not insist on compliance with any particular material Standards, or the use
of specific grades of materials.
Tanks of glass–fibre reinforced plastics (GRP) are not covered in detail in this Standard
although GRP is recognized as an alternative material. High cost has militated against
widespread use, but construction is dealt with adequately in existing standards, except for
underground service where some additional stiffening may be required.
The dimensional requirements of the first edition had been compared with British, American
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

(UL), French, and German Standards to ensure that they were not inconsistent with general
trends. The new dimensions for stainless steel were derived from AS 2809.2, Tankers for
flammable liquids, in the absence of any other source.
The committee recognized that there are situations in which liquids other than petroleum
derivatives are stored, and in which tank materials other than those covered may be suitable.
However, it has not been possible to explore all the alternatives, and such special cases should
be negotiated individually with the Authority.
 CONTENTS

Page

SECTION 1. SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 CLASSIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.5 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.6 NEW DESIGNS AND INNOVATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.7 INTERPRETATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 2. GENERAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

2.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 CONTENTS INDICATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 FILLING PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 DRAINING AND NORMAL DRAW–OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.5 MANHOLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.6 TANK VENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.7 TESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.8 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF TANKS

3.1 CATEGORY 1 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.2 CATEGORY 2 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 CATEGORY 3 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.4 CATEGORY 4 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.5 CATEGORY 5 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.6 CATEGORY 6 TANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
APPENDIX A. INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE
PURCHASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

E Copyright — STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australia publications and software. Except where the Copyright Act allows
and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in
any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from Standards Australia. Permission may be conditional on an appropriate
royalty payment. Requests for permission and information on commercial software royalties should be directed to the head office of Standards
Australia.
Standards Australia will permit up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard to be copied for use exclusively in–house by
purchasers of the Standard without payment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia.
Standards Australia will also permit the inclusion of its copyright material in computer software programs for no royalty payment provided
such programs are used exclusively in–house by the creators of the programs.
Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard is amended or
revised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.
The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercial contracts is
subject to the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia at any time.
 AS 1692—1989 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Tanks for flammable and combustible liquids

SECTION 1. SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE. This Standard specifies requirements AS
for the design and construction of tanks for the 1020 The control of undesirable static electricity
storage of flammable and combustible liquids, 1170 SAA Loading Code
together with certain accessories. It does not deal 1170.2 Part 2: Wind forces
with their installation, nor does it deal with road, rail,
or marine tankers, or with fuel tanks for vehicles. It 1210 SAA Unfired Pressure Vessels Code
is applicable only to the storage of materials that are 1250 SAA Steel Structures Code
liquid at normal temperatures and pressures. 1554 SAA Structural Steel Welding Code
NOTES: 1657 SAA Code for Fixed Platforms, Walkways,
1. This Standard is basically oriented towards cylindrical tanks
of commercial grade low carbon steel for petroleum fuel Stairways, and Ladders
storage, this being the most common application for tank 1940 SAA Flammable and Combustible Liquids
storage, but it also provides for stainless steel tanks. Code
Glass-fibre reinforced plastics are recognized alternative
materials, but are dealt with in other Standards, notably 2624 Steel plate and strip for the construction of
BS 4994 and AS 2634. It is recognized that the storage of welded steel tanks for oil storage
other types of liquid, or the use of other materials of
construction, may render part or all of this Standard 2634 Chemical plant equipment made from
inappropriate; any such substitutions should be the subject of glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GRP) based
specific approval. on thermosetting resins
2. Attention is drawn to Appendix A, which sets out details of
particular information that the purchaser needs to supply in BS
order that the manufacturer can complete the tank. 2654 Specification for the manufacture of vertical
1.2 CLASSIFICATION. Tanks within the scope of steel welded storage tanks with butt-welded
this Standard are classified as follows: shells for the petroleum industry
(a) Category 1 — tanks up to 1200 L capacity, for 4994 Specification for the design and construction
aboveground use, intended principally for the of vessels and tanks in reinforced plastics
storage of oil fuel in domestic type applications. 5500 Specification for unfired fusion welded
NOTE: Category 1 tanks cannot be used for the storage of pressure vessels
flammable liquids as they do not incorporate a liquid seal.
API
(b) Category 2 — vertical or horizontal cylindrical 620 Recommended rules for design and
tanks up to 2500 L capacity, for aboveground use, construction of large, welded low-pressure
intended principally for farms and similar open storage tanks
space locations.
650 Welded steel tanks for oil storage
(c) Category 3 — rectangular tanks and tanks of
ASTM
unconventional shapes, intended principally for
D5 Test method for penetration of bituminous
industrial use aboveground as either head tanks or
materials. *
storage tanks.
1.5 DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this
(d) Category 4 — horizontal cylindrical tanks up to
Standard, the definitions below apply:
150 m3 capacity, for underground or aboveground
use, intended principally for industrial or service 1.5.1 Approved (approval) — approved by (approval
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

station use. of) the authority concerned.

(e) Category 5 — vertical cylindrical tanks up to 150
m3 capacity, for aboveground use, intended for
industrial use.
(f) Category 6 — vertical tanks up to any capacity, of
a size and type that is usually erected on site.
1.3 APPLICATION. Tanks in Categories 1 to 5
shall comply with all the relevant requirements of
Section 2 and the specific requirements of Section 3,
as appropriate to the category. Tanks in Category 6
shall comply with Clause 3.6.
1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS. The following
documents are referred to in this Standard:
1.5.2 Authority, Authority having jurisdiction —
the authority having statutory (legal) control of the
installation which incorporates the tank.
1.5.3 Liquid (flammable, combustible) — a
flammable liquid or a combustible liquid as defined
in AS 1940.
1.5.4 Nominal thickness — the nominal thickness of
material which is commercially available and to
which specified manufacturing tolerances are
applicable.
1.5.5 Domestic type — an application common to,
but not necessarily restricted to, familiar dwellings.

* Identical with IP 49.

COPYRIGHT
 5 AS 1692—1989
1.5.6 Capacity — full tank capacity, i.e. the total
volume which the tank will accept without spilling or
leaking.
NOTE: It is recognized that the available capacity of a tank
will normally be less than the full capacity, because of the
need to provide an ullage space to allow for thermal
expansion. A common practice is to allow 3 percent for
ullage, but local regulations, or factors of the installation such
as tank size, sheltered locations or underground installation
can all have a bearing on the ultimate figure used.
1.6 NEW DESIGNS AND INNOVATIONS. Any
novel materials, designs, methods of assembly,
procedures, etc, which do not comply with specific
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
COPYRIGHT
requirements of this Standard, are not necessarily
prohibited. SAA Committee ME/17, Flammable and
Combustible Liquids, can act in an advisory capacity
concerning equivalent suitability, but the specific
approval remains the prerogative of the Authority.
1.7 INTERPRETATIONS. Questions concerning
the meaning, application or effect of any part of this
specification may be referred to SAA Committee
ME/17, Flammable and Combustible Liquids, for
explanation. The authority of this committee is
limited to matters of interpretation and it will not
adjudicate in disputes.
 AS 1692—1989
SECTION 2. GENERAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
2.1 GENERAL.
2.1.1 Design suitability. The design of any storage
tank shall be such as will ensure that it is adequate
for any load and pressure to which it may be
subjected, and shall take into account any corrosive
or other abnormal conditions. Any method of
construction or material that is not specifically dealt
with herein shall be applied in conformity with good
engineering practice. Any weld-on fittings, flanges,
nozzles, and the like, shall be compatible with the
material of the tank and the welding process.
2.1.2 Material. Any material used in the
construction of a tank shall be of a type and quality
suitable for the conditions of use, and compatible
with the liquid being stored. Material should comply
with any relevant Australian Standard, or an
appropriate other Standard if no Australian Standard
exists.
2.1.3 Welding. Any welded joint shall comply with
the applicable requirements of AS 1554, weld
category GP.
2.1.4 Finish and protective coatings. Any internal
or external protective coatings shall be sufficient to
ensure satisfactory life of the tank and its supports.
Particular attention should be paid to the following:
(a) The soil or atmospheric conditions surrounding
the tank.
(b) Compatibility of internal coatings with the
contents of the tank.
(c) Protection of areas particularly vulnerable to
corrosion, e.g. points of contact with the
supports, rainwater traps.
(d) The specific requirements for surface preparation
and coatings where cathodic protection is used.
2.1.5 Supports. Any supporting structure that is
supplied with the tank shall comply with the
structural code applicable for the particular material,
e.g. AS 1250 for steel supports. Any welded-on
supports, brackets or other fittings shall be welded so
that the penetration of moisture in a manner likely to
cause corrosion of the tank shell is prevented.
NOTE: Particular attention should be paid to the method of
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
transmitting loads between the tank shell and the supports, so
that local overstressing or distortion of the tank shell is avoided.
BS 5500 describes methods for calculating these stresses.
2.1.6 Connections to underground tanks. All pipe
entries to a tank intended to be wholly buried below
ground level shall be through the top of the tank
unless specifically approved otherwise.
2.1.7 Liquid seal. Every fill pipe, suction pipe, or
dip pipe that enters through the top of a tank and that
is likely to be opened to atmosphere at some time
during a normal filling procedure shall be provided
with a liquid seal sufficient to ensure that the bottom
end of the pipe is submerged in not less than 25 mm
of liquid at all times subsequent to the initial filling.
Tanks of Category 1 are exempt from this
requirement.
NOTE: Figure 2.1 illustrates typical arrangements.
COPYRIGHT
6
2.1.8 Access ladders and structures. Any access
structure shall comply with AS 1657. The design
shall be such that there is no differential movement
between the tank and the structure.
2.2 CONTENTS INDICATOR.
2.2.1 Indicator required. Each storage tank shall
be provided with a means for ascertaining the liquid
level. If the indicator is of a type designed for
reading at a remote location, additional facilities for
checking its accuracy shall be provided. The
maximum permitted filling level shall be indicated on
the gauge.
NOTES:
1. Any change to the contents of the tank may alter the
maximum permitted filling level.
2. Acceptable types of indicator are float gauges, hydrostatic
pressure gauges, dipsticks, dip tapes or sight tubes (gauge
glasses).
2.2.2 Dipstick. Any dipstick-indicating system shall
comply with the following requirements:
(a) The opening shall be provided with a cap which
shall be liquid-tight and vapour-tight unless a
common dip and vent is used on aboveground
tanks.
(b) Where a dipstick measures by contacting the
bottom of the tank, a tubular dipstick guide shall
be provided. The guide shall incorporate a
pressure equalizer hole which connects the upper
end of the dip pipe with the upper tank space.
This hole, if over 1.5 mm diameter, shall be
covered by an antiflash gauze not coarser than
600 µm mesh. A durable striker pad shall be
attached firmly to the tank bottom below the dip
opening, other than for tanks of Categories 1
and 2.
(c) Any dipstick for a tank intended to contain
flammable liquids shall be of non-ferrous
material.
2.2.3 Sight tubes. A sight tube of the type
commonly known as a gauge glass shall not be fitted
to any tank storing flammable liquids and should not
be used for any other class of liquid unless such use
is unavoidable. Where a gauge glass is unavoidable –
(a) an adequate protective guard for the tube shall be
provided;
(b) the material of the sight tube shall be unaffected
by the liquid used; and
(c) a self-closing shut-off valve shall be provided on
any connecting leg that is below liquid level.
2.3 FILLING PROVISIONS.
2.3.1 General. Each tank shall be provided with a
means of filling to suit the intended method of filling
and the location of the fill point in relation to the
tank.
NOTES:
1. The type should be agreed between the purchaser and the
supplier.
2. For a top-filled tank, a weatherproof cap, cover, or plug is
normally provided with the tank.
 7 AS 1692—1989

2.3.2 Fill pipe. The filling provision on every tank
other than a Category 1 tank shall be such that liquid
is conducted through a fully enclosed pipe to a
discharge point which is not more than one diameter
of the pipe above the tank bottom.
Where filling is from the top, an extension pipe shall
be used to achieve compliance with this requirement.
Where a side entry into a vertical tank requires to be
reinforced, the discharge point may be located high
enough to accommodate the reinforcing ring, but
should be not more than 150 mm from the tank
bottom.
NOTE: This requirement is intended to ensure that splashing
during filling, which may result in the generation of static
electricity, is minimized. See AS 1020.
2.3.3 Pressure equalization. Any fill pipe that fills
downwards into a tank shall incorporate a pressure
equalizer hole which connects the upper end of the
pipe with the upper tank space. This hole, if over 1.5
mm diameter, shall be covered by an antiflash gauze
not coarser than 600 µm mesh.
2.3.4 High-head filling. Where the height of the
filling point above the tank is such that the pressure
on the tank will exceed the test pressures described in
Clause 2.7, the tank shall incorporate a provision to
prevent the liquid level from rising above the
tank-full condition or the tank shall be designed and
tested to withstand the additional pressure of a
liquid-full filling extension.
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
2.4 DRAINING AND NORMAL DRAW-OFF.
2.4.1 General. It shall be possible to remove the
entire liquid contents from a tank without removing
the tank from its installed position.
NOTE: Where the conditions of installation are such that
draining by gravity through a bottom outlet cannot be provided,
e.g. an underground tank, facilities for the insertion of a suction
spear through a fill pipe or other opening will be deemed to
comply with this requirement.
2.4.2 Drain outlet location. Any drain provision
should draw from the lowest point of the tank and, if
separate from the liquid draw-off pipe, should be
located as far as possible from the draw-off pipe.
2.5 MANHOLES.
2.5.1 Where required. A manhole shall be provided
when specified by the tank purchaser.
NOTE: A manhole is not an essential for tank safety, but may be
convenient during construction, or for the maintenance, cleaning,
or inspection of the tank and of any equipment inside it.
2.5.2 Size of manholes. Any manhole shall be not
less in size than the following:
(a) If elliptical, 450 mm × 400 mm.
(b) If circular, 450 mm diameter.
(c) If the manhole neck is over 200 mm high,
600 mm diameter.

* This distance will alter the depth of the liquid seal if the
tank is to be installed with a slope, and in such cases
adequate correction must be made in order to maintain
the seal dimensions (see Clause 2.1.7)

FIGURE 2.1. LIQUID SEAL PROVISIONS

COPYRIGHT
 AS 1692—1989
NOTES:
1. These sizes should be exceeded wherever possible. In particular,
where breathing apparatus may be required for personnel
entering the tank, a manhole should be not less than 600 mm
diameter.
2. Fixed ladders within the tank may be necessary to provide
reasonable means of access.
2.5.3 Multiple manholes. Where a vertical tank over
3 m high is required to have a manhole, and the
manhole is required to be near the top of the tank, a
second manhole shall be provided adjacent to the bottom
of the tank. Alternatively, if a single manhole is located
adjacent to the bottom of the tank, no other manhole is
required unless specified by the purchaser.
2.5.4 Manhole covers. Each manhole shall be
provided with a cover which shall be vapour-tight and
liquid-tight at the test pressure.
2.6 TANK VENTS.
2.6.1 General. Each tank shall incorporate a provision
to vent to atmosphere the vapour space above the liquid.
The vent may be combined with the filling provision for
a Category 1 tank; for all other tanks a vent shall be
separate from the fill orifice. The venting provision may
be one of the following:
(a) Free venting, in which the vapour space is in
contact with the atmosphere without any intervening
valves or other devices, so that the pressure above
the liquid is substantially that of the surrounding
atmosphere.
(b) Pressure-vacuum venting, in which a control device
permits a positive or negative pressure within the
tank to reach a predetermined level before the
pressure or vacuum is relieved.
(c) Emergency venting, used to supplement (a) and (b),
in which excessive pressure built up in emergency
conditions such as fire is relieved by means of a
pressure-relief device.
2.6.2 Size of vent. The size of any free vent or
pressure-vacuum vent shall be such that pressure or
vacuum resulting from filling or emptying or
atmospheric temperature change will not cause stresses
in excess of the normal maximum design stress. In
determining the size of the vent connection, the
following requirements shall apply:
(a) Where a free vent in a Category 1 tank is combined
with the filler, the opening shall provide not less
than 600 mm2 of free vent area with the nozzle
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
inserted and 10 mm2 with the cap in place.
(b) For a separate free vent in a tank of Category 1 or
Category 2, the vent area shall be not less than the
equivalent of a 25 mm nominal internal diameter
pipe.
(c) For any other category of tank, the vent provision
or the vent connection facilities shall be those
specified by the purchaser of the tank.
NOTE: The design of the vent, and particularly its size, are
dependent on factors that relate to the specific installation; therefore
a tank manufacturer would not normally undertake to design and
size the vent without instructions from the purchaser. AS 1940
provides requirements to assist in vent design.
2.6.3 Vent terminal. The discharge end of any free
vent supplied as part of a tank shall be protected from
the ingress of foreign material, e.g. by a return bend or
a protective cap, cage, or fitting. Any such fitting shall
not reduce the required vent area. The discharge point
COPYRIGHT
8
shall be higher than the filling point and not less than
150 mm above the tank top.
2.7 TESTING.
2.7.1 Leakage test. Each tank shall be subjected to a
leakage test before any painting, coating, or similar
treatment is applied, and shall be found to be sound and
liquid-tight before being put into service. A hydrostatic
test method should be used, but air testing may be
applied in the conditions specified in Clause 2.7.3 to any
tank except those in Category 3 or Category 6. When
hydrostatically testing, a tank shall be tested in the
orientation of its operation, i.e. vertical tanks shall be
tested when vertical, horizontal tanks tested when
horizontal.
NOTE: Any flat side or end may be supported during testing,
provided that the method of support does not inhibit the observation
of any leak.
2.7.2 Hydrostatic testing. Any hydrostatic test shall
be carried out in accordance with the following
requirements, as applicable:
(a) For any free-vented tank in Category 1, Category 2,
Category 4 or Category 5, the test pressure shall be
that caused when the tank is filled with water and
1m additional water head is applied. Where the tank
filling or operating pressure will exceed the
equivalent of 1m head above the top of the tank, the
test pressure shall be that maximum pressure plus
1m head of water.
(b) For any free-vented Category 3 tank, the test
pressure shall be as in (a) above, except that the
additional head shall be reduced to 150 mm.
(c) For any Category 6 tank, the test pressure and
procedure shall be that given in the Standard to
which the tank was built.
(d) Where a pressure-vacuum or emergency vent is to
be used with the tank, the test pressure shall be as
in (a) above, plus 35 kPa.
(e) The test pressure shall be applied for sufficient time
to allow any leaks to develop and to be observed.
NOTE: The purchaser is free to specify higher test pressures, but
the design of the tank should be checked for its ability to withstand
any such higher pressures.
2.7.3 Air testing. Any air test shall be conducted in
accordance with the following requirements:
(a) Air testing shall be applied only to new tanks and at
the manufacturer’s premises.
(b) The equipment and operation shall be approved by
the Authority responsible for pressure-vessel safety
and workplace safety at the testing site.
(c) The test pressure shall be that which will stress to
a level equivalent to that which would be caused by
the appropriate hydrostatic test pressure, provided
that the test pressure shall not exceed 35 kPa
without the approval of the Authority responsible
for pressure vessel and workplace safety at the
testing site. If approval for such test pressure cannot
be obtained, then a hydrostatic test as in
Clause 2.7.2 shall be applied.
(d) When air for testing is taken from a source of
supply having a pressure greater than 35 kPa,
pressure shall be reduced by means of a pressure
reducing device; a pressure gauge, a safety valve, or
hydrostatic pressure-relieving device, and a pressure
release cock shall be fitted on the low pressure side.
 9 AS 1692—1989
(e) A tank that is to be filled from a filling point
more than 1 m above the tank shell shall be
tested at the head resulting from the filling
location, plus an additional 1 m head of water.
(f) The pressure-relieving device shall be capable of
discharging the maximum delivery of the
pressure-reducing device without rise in pressure
beyond 110 percent of the test pressure.
(g) The tank shall not be subjected to blows while
under air pressure.
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
COPYRIGHT
(h) Air for testing shall be introduced gradually and
evenly until the test pressure has been reached.
(i) The test pressure shall be applied for sufficient
time to allow any leaks to develop and to be
observed.
2.8 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT. Any tank
which could suffer damage because of stresses caused
by handling and transportation shall be provided with
adequate supports and stays to protect it until it has
been installed.
 AS 1692—1989
SECTION 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC
CATEGORIES OF TANKS
3.1 CATEGORY 1 TANKS.
3.1.1 Size limitation. No tank shall be made to
Category 1 dimensions having a capacity in excess of
1200 L.
3.1.2 Material. The material used to form any
Category 1 tank shall be not less than 1.6 mm nominal
thickness low carbon steel or 1.2 mm stainless steel.
The tank shall be made so that when completely filled
in service no flat side shall bulge by an amount in
excess of 2 percent of the lesser dimension of that side.
3.2 CATEGORY 2 TANKS.
3.2.1 Size limitation. No tank shall be made to
Category 2 dimensions having a capacity in excess of
2500 L.
3.2.2 Material. The material used to form any
Category 2 tank shall be not less than 2 mm nominal
thickness low carbon steel, or 1.6 mm stainless steel.
For a vertical tank, the bottom shall be not less than
3 mm nominal thickness low carbon steel or 2.5 mm
stainless steel.
3.3 CATEGORY 3 TANKS.
3.3.1 Material. The material used to form any
Category 3 tank shall be not less than the nominal
thickness given in Table 3.1.
NOTE: Thicknesses are empirical, based on certain assumptions
that are outlined in the Preface. Tanks that are rectangular or of
other unconventional shape should be treated with caution because
of the difficult design problems involved.
3.3.2 Plate stiffness. Any rectangular tanks shall be
made so that when completely filled in service, no side
shall bulge by an amount in excess of 2 percent of the
lesser dimension of that side.
3.4 CATEGORY 4 TANKS.
3.4.1 Material. The material used to form any
Category 4 tank shall be not less than the nominal
thickness given in Table 3.2. The thicknesses given in
Table 3.2 are applicable to tanks whose length does not
exceed 5 times their diameter. The design of tanks
whose length/diameter ratio exceeds 5 shall be
specifically approved.
NOTE: Thicknesses are empirical, based on certain assumptions
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002
that are outlined in the Preface.
3.4.2 Tank ends. Any conical or dished end shall be
formed to a height not less than that given in Table 3.3.
Any flat end shall be stayed or stiffened in accordance
with AS 1210.
3.4.3 Placing of supports. The location of a support
in relation to the end of the tank shall be such that the
shell will not fail due to loading in the vicinity of the
support.
NOTE: BS 5500 provides methods for calculating stresses at
supports. Unusually long tanks on three supports require special
design (see Clause 3.4.1).
3.4.4 Construction. Any welded joint in a tank shall
comply with the following requirements, as applicable:
(a) Any longitudinal welded joint shall be a butt joint
(see Figure 3.1(a)).
COPYRIGHT
10
(b) Any circumferential welded joint in any tank which
will incorporate pressure-vacuum venting, the
pressure relief setting of which will exceed 14 kPa,
shall be a butt joint or double-welded lap joint.
(c) Any dished internal bulkhead within a tank may be
welded on one side only.
(d) Any circumferential welded joint in any tank other
than as described in (b) above may be of the forms
shown in Figure 3.1, except where a purchaser
specifically requires that a lap joint be seal-welded
on the inside.
3.5 CATEGORY 5 TANKS.
3.5.1 Material. The material used to form any
Category 5 tank shall be not less than the nominal
thickness given in Table 3.4.
NOTE: Thicknesses are empirical, based on certain assumptions
that are outlined in the Preface.
3.5.2 Flat tank bottom. Where a tank is intended to
be installed so that it rests on and is evenly and
adequately supported over its entire bottom area, the
bottom may be unstayed. If the tank is supported by
means of a projecting rim, skirt, or legs without any
other support for the bottom, then the bottom, if flat,
shall be stayed and stiffened in accordance with
AS 1210.
3.5.3 Bolting down. Any Category 5 tank shall
incorporate provisions for bolting down, sufficient to
withstand the forces involved, in the following
circumstances:
(a) Where wind loadings applicable for the site would
otherwise be sufficient to cause dislodgment or
overturning of the tank when empty (see
AS 1170.2).
(b) Where an uplift force on a tank roof due to the
pressure setting of a vent is greater than the mass
of the roof and shell.
3.5.4 Construction. Any welded joint shall comply
with the following requirements, as applicable:
(a) Shell. Any longitudinal shell joint shall be a butt
joint and any circumferential shell joint should be
a butt joint but may be a lap joint (see Figure 3.1).
(b) Bottom. If the tank rests on the tank bottom, the
joint between the shell and the bottom may be a
single-welded lap joint. If the tank is on legs, such
a joint shall be either a butt joint or a double-
welded lap joint. Any transverse seam across a tank
bottom may be made in the form of a
single-welded lap joint (with the weld inside) if the
tank rests on the tank bottom, or a butt joint or
double-welded lap joint if the tank is on legs.
(c) Tank top. Any of the types illustrated in Figure 3.1
and Figure 3.2, as appropriate, may be used. If the
tank will incorporate pressure-vacuum venting and
the pressure setting is over 14 kPa, the joint
between the shell and the top shall be reinforced as
illustrated in Figure 3.2(c), and the design shall be
in accordance with BS 2654. This requirement does
not apply where a tank is less than 3 m in
 11 AS 1692—1989

diameter, nor where a tank irrespective of size
incorporates a dished and flanged end.
3.6 CATEGORY 6 TANKS. A Category 6 tank shall
comply fully with BS 2654, API 620, API 650, or other
approved Standard.
NOTES:
1. Where the Standard chosen makes reference to another Standard
of its country of origin, an appropriate Australian Standard may
be substituted, provided that the substitution is appropriate and
both parties to the purchase contract are agreeable, and approval
has been obtained. See AS 2624.
2. A list of preferred sizes for Category 6 tank diameters, in metric
dimensions, is given in Appendix C of BS 2654.

TABLE 3.1
THICKNESS OF MATERIAL FOR RECTANGULAR TANKS OF CATEGORY 3

Minimum nominal thickness Thickness Increase thickness

mm valid up to for each 1 m
Capacity height extra height
L Low carbon Stainless mm mm
steel steel

≤ 50 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5

> 50 ≤ 250 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.5
> 250 ≤ 500 1.6 1.0 1.0 0.5
> 500 ≤ 1200 3.0 2.5 1.5 1.5
> 1200 ≤ 5000 5.0 4.0 1.5 1.5

> 5000 Each flat surface individually designed for the pressure

TABLE 3.2
THICKNESS, SHELLS AND ENDS FOR HORIZONTAL CYLINDRICAL
TANKS OF CATEGORY 4
(Applicable to all tanks whether for aboveground or underground installation)

Minimum nominal thickness, mm

Tank diameter
mm Low carbon steel Stainless steel

≤ 1.53 3 2.5
> 1.53 ≤ 2.20 5 4
> 2.20 ≤ 2.75 6 5
> 2.75 ≤ 3.75 8 6

TABLE 3.3
MINIMUM HEIGHT OF DISHED OR CONICAL ENDS
FOR TANKS OF CATEGORY 4
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

Tank diameter Dished height

m mm

≤ 1.53 40
> 1.53 ≤ 2.20 70
> 2.20 ≤ 2.75 110
> 2.75 ≤ 3.75 200

Note: The dished height does not include the straight length of any flange.
i.e. dimension F of Figure 3.1 is additional to the dished height>

COPYRIGHT
 AS 1692—1989 12

TABLE 3.4
THICKNESS, SHELLS AND ENDS FOR CYLINDRICAL VERTICAL TANKS OF CATEGORY 5

Shell Bottom Top

Tank diameter (See Notes 3 and 4) mm mm

Flat Dished or coned

mm Flat Dished or coned
(See Notes 2 and 4) (See Notes 3 and 4)

Low Stainless Low Stainless Low Stainless Low Stainless Low Stainless
m carbon steel carbon steel carbon steel carbon Steel carbon steel
steel steel steel steel steel

≤ 1.53 3 2.5 6 6 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5

> 1.53 ≤ 2.20 5 4 6 6 5 4 5 4 3 2.5
> 2.20 ≤ 2.75 5 4 6 6 6 5 5 4 5 4
> 2.75 ≤ 3.75 6 5 6 6 8 6 6 5 5 4
> 3.75 ≤ 4.5 6 5 6 6 10 8 6 5 5 4

> 4.5 Design as a Category 6 tank

NOTES:
1. All thicknesses are nominal (see Clause 1.5.4).
2. Flat bottoms are assumed to be fully supported over at least 60 percent of their area (see Clause 3.5.2).
3. Dished or coned bottoms are assumed to be for tanks that rest on peripheral legs, so that the bottoms have no support. Tanks that are
particularly tall, so that the liquid head is high, should be checked in accordance with AS 1210 to verify the adequacy of the shell and bottom
thicknesses. The shell should also be checked for adequacy at the point of attachment of legs.
4. Consideration should be given to increasing thicknesses where damage due to transport, handling, and erection is likely.
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

COPYRIGHT
 13 AS 1692—1989
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

FIGURE 3.1 (in part) TYPICAL JOINTS FOR TANKS

COPYRIGHT
 Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

AS 1692—1989
14

COPYRIGHT
FIGURE 3.1 (in part)
 15 AS 1692—1989
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

FIGURE 3.2 VERTICAL TANKS—ROOF JOINTS

COPYRIGHT
 AS 1692—1989 16

APPENDIX A
INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PURCHASER
(This Appendix forms an integral part of this Standard.)

The purchaser should provide the tank manufacturer with such information as is necessary
to permit manufacture of the tank. In particular the following should be provided:
(a) Whether the tank is to be aboveground, or wholly or partly buried.
(b) The type and nature of the filling provision required.
(c) The test pressure, or the liquid head, or the pressure of operation.
(d) The type and location of the draw-off connection.
(e) Vent provision, i.e. the type, size, capacity, provision for any vent extension.
(f) Whether a manhole or manholes are required and their location.
(g) Whether a test certificate is required.
(h) Whether calibration of tank or contents indicator is required.
(i) Any finishing or protective coatings required.
(j) Density of the liquid if it exceeds 1000 kg/m3.
(k) Any special requirements regarding supports.
(l) Product being stored.
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002

COPYRIGHT
Accessed by CLOUGH ENGINEERING on 17 Jul 2002