AGENDA ITEM 653-195

Sheet 1 of 5
Revision 3
April 27, 2009

Proposed Change:
Notes: Insert new item 3.10 in section 3 to define
DOOR SHEET as follows:
3.10 Door Sheet: A plate (or plates) cut from an
existing tank shell to create a temporary access
opening. After planned work is completed, the door
sheet(s) will be reinstalled or replaced.
Commentary: Insert a new section 9.2.4 to address
door sheet installation and renumber the following
sections.
9.2.4 Door Sheet Installation
This section describes the requirements for reinstallation or replacement of a door sheet. The
requirements of figure 9-1 and 9-2 shall be used to
locate door sheets relative to existing seams.
9.2.4.1 General Requirements for Door Sheet
Installation. Door sheet installation shall meet
the requirements of section 9.2.1, 9.2.2, 9.2.3
and 12.2.1.6
9.2.4.2 Door Sheet Crossing an Existing Seam,
Utilizing New Shell Material.
9.2.4.3
9.2.4.4 When a door sheet crosses an existing seam
the following additional requirements shall
apply:
a) Butt-welded Tanks: The door sheet vertical
cut line may cross an existing horizontal seam
without offset, however, additional non
destructive testing of the intersection is required.
In addition to the requirements of 12.1.5.1, the
back-gouged surface of the root pass and the
final pass (each side) of the new weld shall be
examined by magnetic particle or liquid
penetrant methods.
If a door sheet vertical cut line crosses an
existing horizontal seam with an offset, the
minimum offset must equal dimension V as
shown in figure 9-5. Prior to welding the new
vertical seams, cut existing shell-to-bottom weld
for a minimum of 12 inches beyond the new
vertical joints. Weld the horizontal seam last.

Title: Alignment of Vertical Welds for door sheets

Source: Inquiry 653-I-10/03
Purpose: To clarify the requirements for installing
a door sheet.
Contact:

John Farrell
BP
Phone: 630 836-3543
Fax:
630 836-3587
Email: farrelje@bp.com

Background: This agenda item is in response to an

inquiry that asked if vertical weld seams of door sheets
needed to be offset if they pass from one course to
another. During the inquiry discussion, it was noted that
the 653 standard doesnt give sufficient guidance on
door sheet installations, and that it would be particularly
helpful to address door sheet installations in butt
welded, riveted & lap welded tanks.
Technical Justification: Providing specific guidance
in the installation of door sheets will improve the
quality, consistency and integrity of storage tanks that
require door sheets for access.
Cost Effects: There will be some small cost impact on
tanks that utilize door sheets, but not substantial.
Last Ballot Results: 27 Affirmative, 7 Negatives, 7
Affirmative with Comments.

b) Lap- shown in welded and Riveted Seam

Tanks:
The replacement section shall be constructed of
two separate plates, with the lower section buttwelded to adjacent shell course by means of full
penetration, full fusion vertical welds. The upper
section shall be lapped over the lower section
and the upper plate shall be butt welded to the
existing shell plate. After the butt welds are
completed, the horizontal lap shall be fillet
welded along both inside and outside edges.
The upper section shall be offset from the lower
section, such that the vertical seams of the
upper section and the vertical seams of the
lower section are offset by a minimum distance
of 12 inches. The vertical seams in the upper
ring may utilize the lower shell plate as back-up.
c) Additional Requirements for Riveted Tanks:
New weld seams shall be located a minimum of
12 inches from existing rivet seams. The heat
created by welding is likely to cause nearby
rivets and rivet seams to leak. Rivets and
existing lap rivet seams located within 12 of a
weld may require sealing.
9.2.4.5 Door Sheet Crossing an Existing Seam
Utilizing Removed Shell Plate.
Butt Welded Tanks: The removed shell plate
section may be re-installed in its original location
utilizing joints with complete penetration and
complete fusion. The junction between the door
sheet vertical seam and the existing horizontal
weld seam shall be examined by MT or PT.
Lap Welded and Riveted Seam Tanks:
Reinstallation of an original plate section that
crosses an existing seam is not permitted

Add New Figures 9-2, 9-3, 9-4 and 9-5 that illustrates
installation details for door sheets in riveted shell
seam, lapped shell seam and butt welded shell seam
tanks. All subsequent figures in section 9 shall be
renumbered.

Figure 9-2 Acceptable Details for Door Sheets in Riveted Seam Tank

Notes:
1. When a door sheet crosses the horizontal joint between two courses, a replacement door sheet
assembly shall be comprised of two separate plates. The upper door sheet thickness shall be the same as the
higher shell course thickness. The lower door sheet thickness shall be the same as the lower shell course
thickness.
2. Fillet Weld size shall be equal to thickness of thinner of two plates.
3. Rivets and existing lap rivet seams located within 12 of a weld may need to be sealed with
caulk/coating or seal-welded to prevent product seepage.
4. Prior to welding new vertical seam which intersect the bottom plate, cut existing shell-to-bottom weld
for a minimum of 12 beyond the new vertical weld seam. The cut shall extend past or stop short of existing
bottom plate welds by at least 3 or 5t. Weld the shell-to-bottom weld last.
5. Plug weld all rivet holes in the shell plate where rivets are removed. Filler weld to full plate thickness
and grind flush.
Figure 9-3 Acceptable Details for Door Sheets in Lap Weld Seam Tank
Notes:
1. When a door sheet crosses the horizontal joint between two courses, a replacement door sheet
assembly shall be comprised of two separate plates. The upper door sheet thickness shall be same as
the higher shell course thickness. The lower door sheet thickness shall be the same as the lower shell
course thickness.
2. Fillet Weld size shall be equal to thickness of thinner of two plates.
3. Prior to welding new vertical joints which intersect the bottom plate, cut existing shell-to-bottom weld
for a minimum of 12 beyond the new vertical weld joint. The cut shall extend past or stop short of
existing bottom plate welds by at least 3 or 5t. Weld the shell-to-bottom weld last.

Annex S
(normative)
Austenitic Stainless Steel Storage Tanks
S.1 Scope
S.1.1 This Annex covers materials, design, fabrication, erection, and testing requirements for vertical, cylindrical,
aboveground, closed- and open-top, welded, austenitic stainless steel storage tanks constructed of material
grades
201-1, 201LN, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 317, and 317L. This Annex does not cover stainless steel clad plate or
striplined
construction.
S.1.2 This Annex applies only to tanks in nonrefrigerated services with a maximum design temperature not
exceeding 260 C (500 F). Tanks designed to this Annex shall be assigned a maximum design temperature no
less
than 40 C (100 F). It is cautioned that exothermic reactions occurring inside unheated storage tanks can
produce
temperatures exceeding 40 C (100 F).
S.1.3 The minimum thicknesses specified in this Annex are corroded thicknesses unless otherwise stated.
S.1.4 This Annex states only the requirements that differ from the basic rules in this standard. For requirements
notstated, the basic rules must be followed.

Figure 9-4 Door Sheet in Butt Weld Shell Seam Tank No vertical seam offset
Notes:
1. See table in figure 9-1 for minimum weld spacing and dimensions H, R and V.
2. Prior to welding new vertical joints which intersect the bottom plate, cut existing shell-to-bottom weld
for a minimum of 12 beyond the new vertical weld joint. The cut shall extend past or stop short of existing
bottom plate welds by at least 3 or 5t. Weld the shell-to-bottom weld last.

Figure 9-5 Door Sheet in Butt Weld Shell Seam Tank Vertical Seam Offset
Notes:
1. See table in figure 9-1 for minimum weld spacing and dimensions H, R and V
2. Prior to welding new vertical joints, cut existing horizontal weld for a minimum of 12 beyond the new
vertical weld seam. Weld the horizontal seam last.
3. Prior to welding new vertical joints which intersect the bottom plate, cut existing shell-to-bottom weld
for a minimum of 12 beyond the new vertical weld joint. The cut shall extend past or stop short of existing
bottom plate welds by at least 3 or 5t. Weld the shell-to-bottom weld last.4..