Specialists in tank, vessel and silo testing and inspection.

Oil and Petrochemical industry feed stocks, refinery products, general chemicals and other products have been stored in above-ground, vertical cylindrical and horizontal tanks for many years..

At first sight these tanks appear of simple design and construction with innocuous working environments. However, this is not the case in practice, as shown by the many accidents associated with such tanks that have occurred around the world over the decades.

If your business stores any type of chemical or product you must take all necessary steps to prevent pollution. These substances and products could cause pollution if they spill onto land, enter surface waters or ground water or are released into the air. Many substances are also harmful to human health. If you cause or allow pollution to occur you may be prosecuted and fined. Your business could suffer from lost contracts, production downtime, clean up costs and increased insurance premiums.

As legislation regarding the environment is getter more stringent and the ever increasing agency inspections requiring more control and prevention regarding possible pollution and hazardous to health situations, Companies which have storage tanks and vessels should now carry out out an initial assessment of all vessels if one has not already been carried out.

Many companies especially those whose operations have a profound effect on the environment are working to, or are implementing environmental management systems to BS ISO 14001 : 1996

Maintaining and managing storage tanks and vessels

You should carry out a weekly check of containers, secondary containment systems (SCS), pipework and other ancillary equipment. This should include looking for:

• damage or corrosion;

• any changes to a container’s shape, eg bulging or distortion;

• stains or any leaks;

• closed or locked valves and gauges;

• build up of water in bunds or other SCS, and ensuring they are free from rubbish.

You should carry out routine maintenance of containers and SCS to prevent any risk of pollution. Keep a record of when inspections and maintenance are carried out and who by.

You should always look for any signs of damage or interference to your tank or pipework. If you find any problems, get repairs carried out immediately by a competent qualified technician.

As well as a weekly check, you should use a qualified technician to carry out a detailed annual inspection and service of your storage facilities, including:

• checking the condition of the tank surfaces, SCS and supports for pipework

• checking the condition and operation of pipework and fittings

• removing and disposing of any condensation water or sludge in your tank

• checking for leaks

You should receive a report about your tank which details any faults that must be fixed before you can continue to use your tank.