Industrial tanks need to be periodically cleaned and inspected. The primary goal is to maintain a good quality of whatever is stored in the tanks. Mostly, industries store chemicals, gases, or water in tanks.
Regular tank inspections can assist in identifying minor problems that might develop into significant issues. If these problems occur, they can cause serious health issues, premature tank failure, or lead to expensive repairs.
Storage tanks that are not occasionally cleaned can lead to contamination. These events can severely harm workers or lead to aesthetic complaints.
What Are the Two Basic Types of Inspection?
Wet Inspection
Certified and qualified divers usually do wet tank inspections. At times, industries can use remotely operated vehicles.
Dry Inspection
This type of inspection is as a result of the problems seen when conducting a wet inspection. Dry inspection is usually administered only for structural and coating damages. For steel tanks, they are also inspected for gauge thickness.
For a successful dry tank inspection, the tanks have to be drained and remain out of service. Dry inspection is thrice the cost of conducting a wet inspection.
How Often Should a Storage Tank be Inspected or Cleaned?
The cleaning and inspection interval of storage tanks can vary. It varies on the quality of the product stored and the type of tank.
Typically, a water storage tank can be inspected after every five years of service, or more often. This depends on the state of requirement.
Repairs and cleaning should be addressed depending on the data collected during inspection. Industries are encouraged to conduct additional inspections to address issues before they become expensive to repair.
