United States Office of Solid Waste EPA 550-F-01-001
Environmental Protection and Emergency Response January 2001
Agency (5104)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Rupture Hazard from Liquid Storage Tanks
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Alert as part of its ongoing effort to
protect human health and the environment by preventing chemical accidents. EPA is striving to
learn the causes and contributing factors associated with chemical accidents and to prevent their
recurrence. Major chemical accidents cannot be prevented solely through regulatory requirements.
Rather, understanding the fundamental root causes, widely disseminating the lessons learned, and
integrating these lessons learned into safe operations are also required. EPA publishes Alerts to
increase awareness of possible hazards. It is important that facilities, SERCs, LEPCs, emergency
responders, and others review this information and take appropriate steps to minimize risk. This
document does not substitute for EPA's regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. It cannot and does
not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, or the regulated community, and the
measures it describes may not apply to a particular situation based upon circumstances. This
guidance does not represent final agency action and may change in the future, as appropriate.
and released its contents. The walls of the
Problem ruptured tank fell onto two other tanks and
broke their valves. One tank contained
Over the past few years, there have been
1- million gallons of a nitrogen liquid
several catastrophic failures of liquid
fertilizer and the other tank held
fertilizer storage tanks resulting in property
ammonium thiosulfate. Much of the
damage and environmental contamination.
release was contained by an earthen dike,
These ruptures have involved site-erected
but immediate construction of a secondary,
storage tanks with capacities ranging from
temporary dike was necessary to keep the
500,000 to 1.5 million-gallons. The tank
release from flowing into the nearby
failures, which prompted this alert, were all
Missouri River. Cleanup involved
built by either Carolyn Equipment
pumping the liquid out of the dikes and
Company of Fairfield, Ohio, or Nationwide
removing all contaminated soil.
Tanks Inc. of Hamilton, Ohio. Both of
these companies have since gone out
7/1999 in Michigan - A 1-million gallon
business. (Carolyn Equipment in 1990 and
tank full of ammonium polyphosphate
Nationwide Tanks in 1995.) This alert
ruptured and damaged three other tanks.
describes some of the tank failures and
Fortunately, the tanks were surrounded by
identifies standards and precautions that
earthen dikes lined with polyethylene.
apply to aboveground liquid storage tanks.
This minimized the environmental damage.
Owners of tanks produced by these two
ALERT
manufacturers are advised to take extra
1/8/2000 in Ohio - A 1-million gallon
precautions to guard against tank failure.
tank of liquid fertilizer ruptured and
damaged four adjacent tanks. The wave of
NOTE: Though all failed storage tanks
liquid broke a concrete dike wall and hit
cited in this alert have been produced by
five tractor-trailer rigs, pushing two of the
these two companies, owners of all
rigs into the river. A total of 990,000
storage tanks should be aware of the
gallons of material were released. More
risks associated with operating a storage
than 800,000 gallons of the liquid spilled
tank.
into the Ohio River. Sampling detected
HEMICAL
amounts of the fertilizer mixture 100 miles
Accident History
AFETY
downstream, which is expected to increase
algae growth in the river. The company
3/1997 in Iowa - A 1-million gallon tank
has discontinued use of seven other tanks
C
containing ammonium phosphate ruptured
purchased from the same manufacturer. potential catastrophic failure. Some of the factors to
consider include:
3/8/2000 in Ohio - At the same facility, a 1.5-
million gallon tank of ammonium phosphate - Manufacturer’s record for quality workmanship.
ruptured and damaged three nearby tanks causing
them to leak. Two of the damaged tanks held - Evidence of weakened or defective welds.
phosphoric acid and the third one held ‘Ice-Melt’, a
magnesium chloride mixture. The released liquid - Signs of corrosion around the base and direct contact
overflowed the dike walls into nearby creeks. The with ground and exposed to moisture.
four tanks were dismantled after the incident. Over
1.8 million gallons of contaminant were recovered, - Exposure to high winds or frequent precipitation.
with an additional 450,000 gallons of contaminated
water recovered from the sewer system. The - Age of the tank.
release caused evacuation of a nearby school, and
the public was forced to use bottled water because - Close proximity to other storage tanks containing
of concern that the drinking water supply may be hazardous chemicals.
contaminated by the spilled chemicals.
Hazard Reduction/Prevention
Hazard Awareness
The failure of liquid storage tanks can stem from
Defective Welds inadequate tank design, construction, inspection, and
maintenance. Hazard reduction and prevention starts
In the incidents cited, all of the above-ground liquid with good design and construction. The risk to tanks
storage tanks that failed appeared to have had already in service can be reduced through tank
defective welds. The tanks were all produced by maintenance and weld inspection. To minimize
either Carolyn Equipment Company or Nationwide effects from possible tank failures, there should be a
Tanks Incorporated. Both companies have since secondary containment such as a dike or a berm
gone out of business. The tanks were under surrounding the tank.
warranty for only one year, and the welding of the
tanks was done by subcontractors hired by the two Tank Design and Construction
companies. The companies built tanks in Michigan,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa between A tank should be designed and constructed according
1980 and 1995. Because of increased frequency in to API-650, “Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage:”
tank failures, the Ohio Fire Division is creating a issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
voluntary registry of liquid storage tanks to help API-650 specifies an allowance for corrosion and for
track and prevent similar failures. the specific gravity of the fertilizer liquid.
In each of the tank failures mentioned, welding has
Chemicals Involved been the main cause of failure. To ensure durability
and integrity, it is imperative that the tank is welded
The failed tanks have held liquid fertilizers, such as correctly. Several standards and specifications outline
ammonium phosphate, which are not considered the proper techniques and procedures for welding
hazardous and are not regulated by the U.S. including API-653, “Tank Inspection, Repair,
Environmental Protection Agency. However, the Alteration, and Reconstruction.”
failure of these tanks can damage nearby tanks
containing hazardous substances and cause releases. Operational Hazards and Maintenance
In some cases, accidents have involved tanks
containing hazardous materials like anhydrous Tank buyers should insist on seeing the inspection
ammonia and phosphoric acid, which are used to record. Although tanks should undergo a rigorous
produce the fertilizer ammonium phosphate. inspection by a recognized inspection authority before
a manufacturer’s job is complete, the tanks should still
Hazard Identification be closely inspected by the buyer prior to purchasing
the unit. For liquid storage tanks, the most important
item to look for is complete penetration and complete
Facilities should evaluate their storage tanks for
fusion of the welds joining shell plates. Once a tank becomes more brittle and when vents can
has been purchased, it becomes the tank owner’s become blocked by snow and ice. If liquid is
duty to regularly inspect the tank. Inspection drawn out of the tank when vents are plugged
intervals may be set by using a risk-based or restricted, a vacuum may be pulled on the
inspection theory, as indicated by API-653. Various tank causing it to collapse inward.
inspection methods can be used for those tanks
already in service. Radiography is the technique • If you find evidence of leakage or corrosion
applied to all tanks designed to API-650 to ensure during the inspection, the tank should be taken
that complete penetration and fusion of welded out of service and if possible, drained.
joints has occurred. Unfortunately, this procedure
cannot detect poor mechanical properties in the • If there is no evidence of leakage or
welded regions. This and other standards cover corrosion, arrange for an external evaluation
what types of joints must be checked by a by a qualified inspection agency.
radiograph, as well as the number of tests that must
be done. Additional inspections may be done • Depending on the results of the evaluation,
visually or by a vacuum box for localized problems. arrange for an internal inspection immediately
The vacuum box, approximately 6 inches by 30 or within the year.
inches, is tightly sealed to the tank surface, and
pressure is applied. Automated ultrasonic testing -Ensure that employees are aware of the hazards
can be applied to all shell welds to examine for associated with the failure of a liquid storage tank.
cracks, fusion and penetration, and porosity with
greater resolution than radiography. It is also now - Avoid overfilling tanks.
possible to conduct floor scanning while the tank is
full. Combined with chemical analysis and - Perform regular inspections of tanks. Be sure to look
hardness testing, field replication can assess the for all possible risks.
toughness, or resistance to brittle failure of a
weldment. If damage is found during an inspection, - Follow up on identified problems with repairs or
this needs to be assessed in accordance with API- replacement. Inspections are otherwise useless.
RP579 “Fitness for Service” methodology. Any
tanks that do not meet the acceptance requirements - Replace, repair, or modify any and all tanks not
set by API-RP579 should be repaired or replaced. meeting the standards set forth in API-579, “Fitness
for Service” methodology.
Steps for Safety
- Be on the alert for new tank regulations. (There were
Here are some additional ways to prevent rupture recently changes made to API-653 that improved the
of liquid storage tanks: suggested calculations)
- Realize the inherent risk of using and maintaining - Consider better mitigation in case of a leak to
any storage tanks. separate the content of a collapsing tank from the rest
of the facility, and more importantly, prevent any
- Identify the manufacturers of the tanks on the leakage from going offsite.
property, being careful to identify any tanks built by
either company mentioned in this alert. NOTE: If - Develop an emergency plan that addresses a
tanks were manufactured by Carolyn Equipment catastrophic tank failure.
Company or Nationwide Tanks of Hamilton, take
the following actions immediately: Information Resources
• A close external inspection should be made References with information about the hazards of
for leaks, corrosion, or any anomalies in the catastrophic failures and methods of minimizing them
surface of the tank. Vent(s) should be are listed below. Regulations potentially applicable to
checked for any blockages by foreign storage tanks and codes and standards that may be
materials, such as snow or ice. The relevant are also included. A Chemical Safety Alert on
majority of the failures have occurred catastrophic fires and explosions in storage tanks is
during the winter months, when steel available at www.epa.gov/swercepp/pubs/cat-tnks.pdf
Statutes and Regulations December 1995; and Addendum 3, December 1996).
Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act focuses on API Standard 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair,
prevention of chemical accidents. Facilities with Alteration, and Reconstruction, second edition,
regulated substances or other extremely hazardous December 1995 (inc. Addendum 1, December 1996)
substances have a general duty to prevent and
mitigate accidental releases. Accident prevention The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
activities include identifying hazards and operating (ASME) has the Pressure Vessel Code and other codes
a safe facility. relevant to tanks and storage vessels:
EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule [40 American Society of Mechanical Engineers
CAR 68] is intended to prevent and mitigate 1828 L St NW, Suite 906
accidental releases of listed regulated substances. Washington DC 20036
RAMP rule requirements include development of a Phone: (800) 843-2863 or (202) 785-3756
hazard assessment, a prevention program, and an Codes and standards: (212) 705-8500
emergency response program. Accreditation and certification programs (212)
705-8581
EPA has tank inspection regulations under the Spill Web site: http://www.asme.org
Prevention Countermeasure and Control Plan and
Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990 [40 CFR112]. The American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ANT)
certifies welding and non-destructive examination
The Occupational Safety and Health (NDE) and non-destructive testing (NDT) inspectors:
Administration’s (OSHA) Process Safety
Management Standard [29 CAR 1910.119] includes American Society of Nondestructive Testing
regulations on tank inspection, and conduct during P.O. Box 28518
hot-work; and fire protection and prevention during 1711 Arlingate Lane
welding, brazing, and cutting [29 CAR 1910.252]. Columbus, OH 43228
Phone: (800) 222-2768
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site: http://www.asnt.org
Phone: (202) 219-8151 - Public Information Web
site: http://www.osha.gov The American Welding Society (AWS) certifies
welding inspectors with the designation AWS QC-1
Codes and Standards (Quality Control) Welding Inspector and has
guidelines on safe welding.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has tank
standards and guidelines on safe welding: American Welding Society
550 NW LeJeune Rd
American Petroleum Institute Miami, FL 33126
1120 L St NW Phone: (800) 443-9353 or (305) 443-9353
Washington DC 20005 Web site: http://www.amweld.org
Phone: (202) 682-8000
Web site: http://www.api.org
For More Information...
Relevant API standards:
API Standard 620 – Design and Construction of Contact the EPCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346 or
Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, ninth (703) 412-9810 TDD (800) 553-7672
edition, February 1996 (includes Addendum 1, Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST
December 1996) ***************
Visit the CEPPO Home Page at www.epa.gov/ceppo
API Standard 650 – Welded Steel Tanks for Oil
Storage, ninth edition, May 1993 (includes
Addendum 1, December 1994; Addendum 2,
