EEMUA has published new guidance on the statistical analysis of in-service tank floor inspections.
EEMUA 247 (Edition 1), ‘Statistical analysis of in-service tank floor inspections – Guidance on planning and evaluation of partial coverage robotic in-service inspection of storage tank floors’, covers situations where the aim is to carry out a partial coverage inspection on an above ground storage tank floor.
The focus is on planning and evaluation of the inspection. The inspection requirements defined at the planning stage and the evaluation analysis methodology are intended to be such that, upon completion of the inspection and analysis, there is sufficient information available to support integrity decisions. This covers specifically a sufficient understanding of the condition of the floor area of interest, including that not directly covered by the inspection.
EEMUA 247 does not address the process for making integrity decisions based on the information delivered by the inspection and evaluation. It is expected that the user already has in place a framework for decision making, for example, an integrity management process and associated risk based inspection methodology, and this should continue to be followed. In addition, the guidance is intended to address above ground storage tank floors specifically. It does not address other elements of the tank, for example shell or roof, and does not address other tank or pressure system component types.
The guidance addresses situations where metal loss, in the form of corrosion, of the floor plates is the primary degradation mechanism of concern. It is not applicable in cases where other degradation mechanisms, such as cracking or preferential weld corrosion, are intended to be addressed by a partial coverage inspection.
EEMUA 247 is intended to supplement EEMUA 159 which addresses inspection, maintenance, and repair for above ground storage tanks.
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The publication is available free of charge to employees of EEMUA Member companies and at a reduced rate to Associates.
