Testing and Inspection of Old Tanks

Leakproofness TestA leakproofness test shall be carried out on the tanker with all service equipment in placeThe test pressure shall be at 25% of the MAWP (unless otherwise identified on thedocumentation).The pressure shall be maintained for a minimum of 5 minutes.Service EquipmentService equipment shall be inspected for satisfactory operation.Openings below the liquid level shall be inspected at the transition between shell and outlet.Bolted flanges, caps to valves at bottom outlets shall be checked for worn threads anddamaged gaskets.Where PRV's with frangible discs (bursting discs) are fitted, the 'tell-tale' shall be checked forevidence of use.PERIODIC INSPECTION 5 YEARSAll inspections as Intermediate Inspection and in addition :-Hydraulic pressure testA hydraulic test pressure as indicated on the tanker plate shall be applied to the tank.The test pressure shall be at least 1.3 times the design pressure.Any evidence of leakage or loss of pressure shall be investigated, identified and recorded.Tank FrameThe tank frame must be inspected for evidence of corrosion or damage.Under the Freight Container (Safety Convention) Regulations 1984 this inspection may becarried out under a Periodic Inspection Scheme (PES) or The Approved ContinuousExamination Programme (ACEP).Under PES the first examination after manufacture is not more than 5 years and not morethan 30 months thereafter.Under ACEP the examination is required after repair/refurbishment of the frame or onhire/off-hireinterchange but in any case the interval shall not exceed 30 months.A record of the examination and date carried out must be made.The date of the test is shown in the manner required by the appropriate scheme in use32