associated with impacts of weather when
tanks are outdoors. For example, tanks can
settle over time or components may become
damaged from falling ice or snow.
While these inspections may not be as rigorous
as the initial inspection conducted when
accepting a new customer’s tank for delivery,
routine inspections help detect changes in the
tank condition and problems that may have
begun only recently.
The inspection of the accessible components
of underground tanks is important. Defective
fill risers, boxes, caps and gaskets can provide
means for water ingress. Vent caps and the vent
pipe risers present additional points of water
ingress and should be inspected to the extent
possible.
Above ground tanks should be evaluated to
determine if the fuel line configuration or the
tank pitch are such that water can accumulate
in the tank undetected. In these cases routine
tank inspections should include checking the
tank for water if practical.
NORA recommends that routine tank
inspections be conducted as an integral
part of the equipment preventative
maintenance tune-ups.
National Oilheat Research Alliance 37
When a new above ground tank is installed
for a customer, NFPA recommends the tank
be inspected during the first delivery to verify
there are no visible leaks in the tank or the
piping. This also provides the opportunity to
be certain any unused fill and/or vent piping
associated with a prior tank has been removed.
NORA recognizes that inspecting prior to
the first delivery may not always be possible
because of customer unavailability or
unavailability of employees. In those cases, the
inspection should occur as quickly as possible
after the first delivery, and the delivery person
should be alerted that the tank has not been
inspected. The delivery person should perform
as thorough an inspection as possible prior to
delivering.
NORA provides a tank inspection checklist
(found in Appendix I) to serve as a step by step
guide for making a limited assessment of the
tank. If this inspection identifies a potential
problem, management should be alerted and
a decision made on whether to notify the
customer that correction of the problem is
required or if the replacement of the tank is
required.
Routine Inspections
Routine inspections of above ground tanks
are important and aid in early detection
of problems associated with corrosion or