By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the scope and applicability of API 653 for AST inspection and repairs.
• Navigate and use API 653, API 650, API 571 (damage mechanisms), ASME Section IX (welding), and API 575 for inspection planning and execution.
• Plan and conduct in-service, out-of-service, and hydrostatic test inspections; select appropriate NDE methods.
• Perform minimum thickness, remaining life, corrosion rate, joint efficiency, and shell/roof/floor assessment calculations.
• Evaluate settlement, foundations, nozzles, welds, annular plates, bottom plates, shell courses, and floating roof components.
• Define and review repair/alteration plans, welding procedures (WPS/PQR), and documentation per compliance requirements.
• Prepare effectively for the API 653 certification exam with structured practice.

• Tank Inspectors (aspiring and practicing)
• Mechanical/Rotating/Integrity/Corrosion Engineers
• Maintenance & Reliability Engineers
• Construction/Welding Supervisors and QA/QC personnel
• Owner/Operator Representatives, HSE, and asset integrity teams in oil & gas, petrochemicals, terminals, power, and storage facilities

Prerequisites (recommended): Familiarity with API 650 design concepts, basic materials/welding knowledge, and plant safety practices. Prior exposure to NDE is beneficial.

• Interactive lectures with code navigation and illustrated examples
• Calculation workshops (thickness, remaining life, settlement, joint efficiency)
• Case studies (floor corrosion, shell buckling, floating roof issues)
• NDE demonstrations and procedure reviews (vendor neutral)
• Daily quizzes and mock exam aligned to API 653 Body of Knowledge
• Capstone exercise: Develop an inspection plan and repair package for a real‑world tank scenario

DAY 1

Fundamentals & Standard Framework

• Tank types and configurations: fixed roof, internal/external floating roof, double deck, cone/umbrella roof, bottom/annular arrangements
• API 653 scope & definitions; relationship with API 650, API 575, API 571, ASME IX
• Inspection categories: routine, in-service, out-of-service, structural integrity checks, hydrotests
• Documentation & records: inspection intervals, data requirements, jurisdictional considerations
• Safety in tank inspection: confined space, inerting, gas testing, hot work permits
• Workshop: Code navigation drills + interval determination scenarios
• Quiz 1

DAY 2

Damage Mechanisms, NDE & In-Service Inspection

• Corrosion mechanisms: underfloor corrosion, MIC, pitting, caustic embrittlement, SCC; environmental and product effects (API 571 overview)
• NDE methods for ASTs: VT, UT (thickness & flaw detection), RT (selective), MT/PT, vacuum box testing, MFL for floors, leak testing methods
• In‑service inspection planning: shell, roof, appurtenances, nozzles, manways, seals, sumps, vents, drains, gauging systems
• Floating roof inspection: seal systems, pontoon integrity, rolling ladder/guide poles, rim fire risk, landing considerations
• Workshop: NDE selection matrix + sample reports review
• Quiz 2

DAY 3

Calculations: Thickness, Remaining Life, Stability & Settlement

• Minimum required thickness calculations for shell, bottom plates, annular plates (including corrosion allowance)
• Remaining life & corrosion rate; interval adjustments; RBI considerations
• Joint efficiency & weld evaluation basics related to alteration/repair decisions
• Hydrostatic test criteria, limits, and alternatives
• Settlement evaluation: types (uniform, differential, edge, localized), measurements, acceptability criteria; shell plumbness and roundness
• Roof evaluation: structural checks (rafters, girders), corrosion impacts
• Workshop: Multi‑problem calculation set (shell thickness, floor corrosion mapping, settlement decision tree)
• Quiz 3

DAY 4

Repairs, Alterations, Welding & Fitness-for-Service

• Repair vs alteration vs reconstruction definitions; approval pathways and documentation
• Floor repairs: patch plates, insert plates, annular ring replacement; bottom leak mitigation and coatings/liners overview
• Shell repairs: insert plates, crack repairs, nozzle reinforcements, hot taps (risk considerations)
• Roof repairs: fixed vs floating components; seal replacements, pontoon weld repairs
• Welding requirements: WPS/PQR/WPQT; materials, preheat, PWHT considerations; qualifications per ASME IX
• Fitness‑for‑Service concepts; when to invoke API 653 Appendix guidance or consult API 579
• Workshop: Develop a repair package (drawings + WPS references + inspection hold points)
• Quiz 4

DAY 5

Inspection Planning, Compliance, Mock Exam & Capstone

• Building a comprehensive inspection plan: scope, sequence, isolation, cleaning, NDE, safety, access, documentation
• Quality assurance & records: inspection reports, photos, isometrics/sketches, corrosion maps, checklists, traceability
• Mock Exam: timed, code‑referenced; review of typical API 653 exam traps and quick lookup strategies
• Capstone Exercise: Team presentation of inspection & repair strategy for a specified tank (incl. intervals, calculations, NDE plan, and risk notes)

AAR & Implementation Roadmap: Site rollout plan, interval scheduling, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement

CDGA attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing minimum of 75% of the total course duration