The Third Edition of SP001, issued in July 2005, constituted a major rewrite and revision of the Standard to include risk-based inspections of tanks and containers from 55 gallons to approximately 265,000 gallons. Subsequently, public comment on the Standard was solicited through September 2005. Changes to the Standard were developed through the STI AST Inspection Standards Committee process and have now been published as a Fourth Edition of SP001.  These changes include:

• Revision of secondary containment definitions
• Requirements for double wall tank inspections
• Changes to SP001 Inspector Certification requirements
• Various language clarifications

Changes to the requirements for SP001 Inspector Certifications include:

• STI Certified SP001 AST Inspectors must be “Tank System Inspectors.” This level of inspector is also known as the Level 2 inspectors.  Because the 3rd and 4th Editions of SP001 include inspections of not only the tank, but also the associated tank systems, the Certified Inspector must have sufficient training in the tank system. This Certification requires both in-person lectures and passing of exams.

• API 653 Certified Inspectors must obtain an “STI SP001 Adjunct Certification” to perform an SP001 inspection.  This is to ensure that an API 653 Certified Inspector is familiar with construction of tanks and containers included in SP001 as well as the requirements of a tank system inspection.  It is anticipated that this Adjunct Certification will be available through the STI website by the end of 2006.

• Level 2 STI Certified SP001 AST Inspectors that received their certification prior to September 2005 must update their certification to include the updated 3rd and 4th  Editions of SP001. It is anticipated that this Updated Certification program will be available through the STI website by Fall of 2006.

SP001 Standard for Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks
Third Edition Issued July 2005
 
New Revisions to SP001 Standard to be Published

After a year of study and revisions by a broad-based committee of experts, Steel Tank Institute is announcing the newest edition of standard SP001, which is now known as “Standard for the Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks.” The effort completes a cycle of standard-making revisions.

The revised standard incorporates key changes such as:

A risk-based inspection schedule. Tanks with a means of detecting a release of product are inspected less frequently. A system must be capable of diverting leaked product and/or incorporating a release-prevention barrier while providing for prompt detection through periodic inspection by the owner. Single-wall tanks sitting directly on soil pose the greatest risk for an incident and therefore require more frequent inspections.

Inspection of field-erected tanks up to a maximum 30-foot (9.14 meters) diameter and a maximum shell height of 50 feet (15.24 meters). This would equate to a capacity of about 265,000 gallons (1,002,840 liters). This will allow one inspector to inspect virtually all tanks at a facility where both field-erected and shop-fabricated tanks are installed.

Other significant changes include sections on safety considerations, inspection of portable containers (55 gallons or more), suitability-for-continued-service guidance, and expanded periodic inspection checklists.
The committee’s work stemmed in part from revisions of the SPCC regulations, created by EPA to prevent oil pollution of the nation's water, which were published in August 2002. The rule incorporated provisions for all regulated tanks to be integrity tested. National standards, such as SP001, play an important role in trying to comply with the regulation.

A balanced number of representatives from major oil companies, engineers and regulators participated in the committee. The STI committee, which unanimously approved the new edition after a year’s worth of meetings and teleconferences, was formed last year to reshape the SP001 standard and clarify issues that resulted from trying to provide the owner/operator with a method of SPCC compliance.

The committee anticipates adaptations in 2006 to STI’s AST Inspector Certification program. New procedures will address certification requirements of both existing SP001 inspectors and API 653 inspectors.

The Fourth Edition of the SP001 Standard can be ordered by contacting STI via phone or clicking here to visit our Publications Index.
 

For a List of SP001 Certified Tank Inspectors, click here.