What is Storage Tank Inspection?
Storing substances in large quantities, especially if they are hazardous, requires safe and well-maintained storage tanks. Assure productivity of your plant and the integrity of your storage tanks with stringent inspection across safety, quality, efficiency and compliance to local and international standards or codes.
Storage tank inspections comprise examinations of both vertical and horizontal as well as above and below ground tanks that are either in- or out-of-service. A qualified, reliable and experienced third-party tank inspector examines each storage tank – both individually and collectively, if situated on a tank farm – against industry standards.
During the inspection, the experienced technician will assess the operational and risk factors of the floor, shell, roof and structure including tank leakage detection, a corrosion test and contamination analysis to provide a detailed and comprehensive report.
Why is storage tank inspection important?
Tank inspection not only guarantees compliance with international and regional technical / environmental regulations and standards but systematic improvement of your storage tank’s safety and reliability, too.
Repairing contamination or leakage can be hugely costly and can put one, or several, of your tanks out of service for a considerable amount of time. The longer your out-of-service time, the greater the costs to your business are.
A storage tank inspection keeps your lost profits to a minimum and your tanks compliant, running smoothly and at their optimum level of safety.
By partnering with TÜV SÜD to perform inspection services on your tanks you gain a host of benefits including:
- Reduction of operating and maintenance expenditure
- Improved tank availability by minimizing out-of-service time
- A complete and comprehensive service by covering all aspects of inspection, so no need to use multiple providers
- Independent advice and specialist know-how based on the individual needs of your site
- Local and certified ASME, API 653 and EEMUA 159 expert tank inspectors
- Benefit from interdisciplinary expertise starting with the mechanical / technical integrity and environmental requirements up to insurance-related aspects
TÜV SÜD is a trusted, independent storage tank inspection provider
TÜV SÜD’s comprehensive service portfolio covers all aspects of tank integrity and inspection management. Our services have been created to be flexible during inspection periods using optimised maintenance cycles to maximize safety operation against the national and international regulations.
For your storage tank inspection, each specific service will be conducted by one inspector only. Using a Single Point of Service approach ensures maximum time efficiency for our customers, making the process as quick as possible with no need to use multiple providers. Our global network of local experts each have the same level of training and knowledge to guarantee uniformity in the quality of tank inspections.
Not only does our services include recommendations based on the final analysis of the tank inspection, but our experts will draw up the final reports for you. Forward-thinking is at the forefront of these reports, allowing for predictive maintenance and only shutting down your tanks if it is necessary.
Based on the results of your inspection, we can also plan follow-up dates for future inspections to ensure the required improvements have been implemented and to safeguard the continued safety and efficiency of your storage tanks.
For your storage tank inspection, each specific service will be conducted by one inspector only. Using a Single Point of Service approach ensures maximum time efficiency for our customers, making the process as quick as possible with no need to use multiple providers. Our global network of local experts each have the same level of training and knowledge to guarantee uniformity in the quality of tank inspections.
Not only does our services include recommendations based on the final analysis of the tank inspection, but our experts will draw up the final reports for you. Forward-thinking is at the forefront of these reports, allowing for predictive maintenance and only shutting down your tanks if it is necessary.
Based on the results of your inspection, we can also plan follow-up dates for future inspections to ensure the required improvements have been implemented and to safeguard the continued safety and efficiency of your storage tanks.
TÜV SÜD’s storage tank inspection services
TÜV SÜD’s experts are both certified tank inspectors and qualified Tank Integrity Assessors (TIA). Each is trained to inspect against internationally accepted codes for storage tanks, such as ASME, EEMUA 159 and API 653, providing recommendations for tank operation.
Before the procedure begins, our experienced inspectors will base which tank inspection services are applicable and necessary for your situation by investigating the site. Our services also take into account the design and welding of vertical, cylindrical, above-ground, welded steel tanks with flat bottoms according to standards EN 14015 and ISO 15614/ISO 9606-1 respectively.
TÜV SÜD’s broad range of services includes:
- Full inspection services
- Smart Inspection Methods & Techniques (such as acoustic emission inspection, ROV video and ultrasonic inspection, drone inspection indoor/outdoor)
- RBI: Risk-Based Inspection services
- Fit-for-purpose assessments
- Tank integrity management tools
- Tank repair and modification advice
- Tank inspection prioritization
- Development of inspection guidelines and procedures
- Maintenance management support
