API 653 Exam Prep Questions and
Answers
Owner API 653 1.2 - Answer-Overall responsibility for compliance with API 653?
Engineer API 653 4.3.1.2 - Answer-Responsibility - evaluate deterioration of existing shell material?
Steel storage tanks built to API 650 and its predecessor API 12c (API 653 1.1.1) - Answer-What does api
653 cover?
Minimum requirements for maintaining the integrity of tanks after they have been placed in service and
addresses inspection, repair, alteration, relocation and reconstruction (api 653 1.1.1) - Answer-What
does api 653 provide?
Tank foundation, bottom shell, structure, roof, attached appurtenances and nozzles to the face of first
flange, first threaded joint or first welding-end connection (api 653 1.1.2) - Answer-What is the scope of
api 653 limited to?
,API 653 shall govern for tanks that have been placed into service (api 653 1.1.2) - Answer-In the case of
conflict between api 653 and api 650 or it's predecessor api 12c. Which shall govern?
Rules or guidelines to cover all the varied conditions which may occur in an existing tank api 653 1.1.5 -
Answer-API 653 does not contain?
The regulations shall govern, however if api 653 is more stringent then api 653 shall govern (api 653 1.3)
- Answer-If any provision of api 653 presents a direct or implied conflict with any statutory regulations,
which would govern?
API 2015, 2016 and api 2217a - Answer-Where can you find guidelines to safeguard personnel,
prevention of fires, explosions and property damage
Except in areas specifically designated as safe for hot work, a hot work permit shall be obtained before
starting any work that can involve a source of ignition - Answer-What does api 2009 state in relation to
hot work?
API 2009 appendix B - Answer-Where can you find brief information on inerting tanks?
Fitness for service - Answer-API RP 579-1 is?
ASNT SNT-TC-1A - Answer-Personnel qualified and certified in NDE?
API RP 2201 - Answer-Safe hot tapping practices in petroleum industries is?
For design and construction of large, welded low pressure storage tanks - Answer-API standard 620 is?
,Any work on a tank that changes its physical dimensions or configuration - Answer-Define an alteration
in accordance with api 653?
Standard that was in effect at the date of the installation of the component - Answer-The AS built
standard is the?
The AS built standard only for those repairs or alterations - Answer-The standard used for repairs or
alterations made after original construction is?
1. Organisation of the jurisdiction where tank is operated
2. Inspection organisation of the licensed and registered insurance company
3. Owner/Operator - Answer-Name 3 authorised inspection organisations
An employee of an authorised inspection agency who is qualified and certified to perform inspections
under API 653 - Answer-Define authorised inspector
A change from previous operating conditions involving different properties of the stored product such
as, specific gravity or corrosivity and/or different service conditions of temperature and/or pressure -
Answer-What is a change in service
The total metal loss, divided by the period of time over which the metal loss occurred - Answer-Define
corrosion rate
The portion of the tank bottom or plate within 3" of the inside edge of the shell - Answer-What is the
tank critical zone?
A formal, complete inspection as supervised by an authorised inspector of all accessible internal tank
surfaces - Answer-Define internal inspection
, 1. Installing a shell penetration larger than 12" beneath the liquid level
2. Installing a bottom penetration within 12" of the shell
3. Removing and replacing or adding a shell plate, exceeding 12" dimension
4. Removing or replacing annular ring material, exceeding 12"
5. Installing a new bottom
6. Jacking a tank shell - Answer-What does a major alteration or repair include
The legal entity having both control of and/or responsibility for the operation and maintenance of an
existing storage tank - Answer-Define owner/operator
Work necessary to maintain or restore a tank to a condition suitable for safe operation - Answer-Define
repair
When the results of a tank inspection show that a change has occurred from the original physical
condition - Answer-When shall an evaluation be made to determine a tanks suitability for use
1. Internal corrosion
2. External corrosion
3. Stress levels and allowable stress levels
4. Properties of the stored product such as specific gravity, temperature and corrosivity
5. Design temperature and service location
6. External roof live load, wind and seismic loading
7. Tank foundation, soil and settlement conditions
8. Chemical + mechanical analysis of the tank materials
9. Distortion of the existing tank
10. Operating conditions such as, filling/emptying rates - Answer-What factors should be considered
when evaluating a tanks suitability for use
Answers
Owner API 653 1.2 - Answer-Overall responsibility for compliance with API 653?
Engineer API 653 4.3.1.2 - Answer-Responsibility - evaluate deterioration of existing shell material?
Steel storage tanks built to API 650 and its predecessor API 12c (API 653 1.1.1) - Answer-What does api
653 cover?
Minimum requirements for maintaining the integrity of tanks after they have been placed in service and
addresses inspection, repair, alteration, relocation and reconstruction (api 653 1.1.1) - Answer-What
does api 653 provide?
Tank foundation, bottom shell, structure, roof, attached appurtenances and nozzles to the face of first
flange, first threaded joint or first welding-end connection (api 653 1.1.2) - Answer-What is the scope of
api 653 limited to?
,API 653 shall govern for tanks that have been placed into service (api 653 1.1.2) - Answer-In the case of
conflict between api 653 and api 650 or it's predecessor api 12c. Which shall govern?
Rules or guidelines to cover all the varied conditions which may occur in an existing tank api 653 1.1.5 -
Answer-API 653 does not contain?
The regulations shall govern, however if api 653 is more stringent then api 653 shall govern (api 653 1.3)
- Answer-If any provision of api 653 presents a direct or implied conflict with any statutory regulations,
which would govern?
API 2015, 2016 and api 2217a - Answer-Where can you find guidelines to safeguard personnel,
prevention of fires, explosions and property damage
Except in areas specifically designated as safe for hot work, a hot work permit shall be obtained before
starting any work that can involve a source of ignition - Answer-What does api 2009 state in relation to
hot work?
API 2009 appendix B - Answer-Where can you find brief information on inerting tanks?
Fitness for service - Answer-API RP 579-1 is?
ASNT SNT-TC-1A - Answer-Personnel qualified and certified in NDE?
API RP 2201 - Answer-Safe hot tapping practices in petroleum industries is?
For design and construction of large, welded low pressure storage tanks - Answer-API standard 620 is?
,Any work on a tank that changes its physical dimensions or configuration - Answer-Define an alteration
in accordance with api 653?
Standard that was in effect at the date of the installation of the component - Answer-The AS built
standard is the?
The AS built standard only for those repairs or alterations - Answer-The standard used for repairs or
alterations made after original construction is?
1. Organisation of the jurisdiction where tank is operated
2. Inspection organisation of the licensed and registered insurance company
3. Owner/Operator - Answer-Name 3 authorised inspection organisations
An employee of an authorised inspection agency who is qualified and certified to perform inspections
under API 653 - Answer-Define authorised inspector
A change from previous operating conditions involving different properties of the stored product such
as, specific gravity or corrosivity and/or different service conditions of temperature and/or pressure -
Answer-What is a change in service
The total metal loss, divided by the period of time over which the metal loss occurred - Answer-Define
corrosion rate
The portion of the tank bottom or plate within 3" of the inside edge of the shell - Answer-What is the
tank critical zone?
A formal, complete inspection as supervised by an authorised inspector of all accessible internal tank
surfaces - Answer-Define internal inspection
, 1. Installing a shell penetration larger than 12" beneath the liquid level
2. Installing a bottom penetration within 12" of the shell
3. Removing and replacing or adding a shell plate, exceeding 12" dimension
4. Removing or replacing annular ring material, exceeding 12"
5. Installing a new bottom
6. Jacking a tank shell - Answer-What does a major alteration or repair include
The legal entity having both control of and/or responsibility for the operation and maintenance of an
existing storage tank - Answer-Define owner/operator
Work necessary to maintain or restore a tank to a condition suitable for safe operation - Answer-Define
repair
When the results of a tank inspection show that a change has occurred from the original physical
condition - Answer-When shall an evaluation be made to determine a tanks suitability for use
1. Internal corrosion
2. External corrosion
3. Stress levels and allowable stress levels
4. Properties of the stored product such as specific gravity, temperature and corrosivity
5. Design temperature and service location
6. External roof live load, wind and seismic loading
7. Tank foundation, soil and settlement conditions
8. Chemical + mechanical analysis of the tank materials
9. Distortion of the existing tank
10. Operating conditions such as, filling/emptying rates - Answer-What factors should be considered
when evaluating a tanks suitability for use
