Owners and operators of liquid storage tanks are responsible for scheduling regular professional inspection services. All commercial and industrial water and chemical storage tanks must undergo comprehensive examinations in accordance with industry standards to ensure safety and integrity throughout their lifespans.
What is Hydrotesting/Hydrostatic Testing
After the completion of a newly constructed storage tank, one of the final recommended mechanical assessments is a hydrostatic test. This method is used to evaluate the integrity and detect leaks in pressure vessels such as pipelines, plumbing systems, gas cylinders, boilers, and fuel tanks.
Hydrostatic Test Procedure
The procedure involves filling the vessel or pipe system with a liquid, typically water, which may be dyed to facilitate visual leak detection, and then pressurizing the vessel to the specified test pressure.
- Pressure Integrity Check: The supply valve is closed, and the system is monitored for any pressure loss. The dyed water helps visually identify the location of any leaks.
- Strength Assessment: The strength of the container is evaluated by measuring any permanent deformation that occurs during the test.
The hydrostatic test aims to detect leaks in shell weld joints and to observe the stabilization of the liquid level at various heights. During the test, all instrumentation is removed to prevent potential damage.
Importance of Hydrotesting in Water Tanks
The construction of new tanks and significant modifications to existing storage tanks involve several testing requirements aimed at ensuring the integrity of the equipment. Hydrostatic testing, as implied by its name, involves testing a tank by filling it with water.
Hydrostatic Testing Procedure
The primary purpose of filling the tank with water is to detect any leaks. Water is filled into the tank at a specified rate, and after a 24-hour period, it is inspected to ensure there are no cracks, pinholes, or other irregularities in the welds.
Mechanical Strength Assessment
Another objective of the test is to assess the mechanical strength of the tank. Weak spots become evident when the tank is filled with water, which poses significantly lower risk to workers and the environment compared to when the tank contains toxic chemicals.
Foundation and Stability Evaluation
A critical aspect observed during the hydrostatic test is the strength of the tank’s supporting foundation. The foundation plays a crucial role in preventing tank damage.
Stability Assessment
Additionally, the hydrostatic test serves as an assessment of stability. It allows the client and builder to confirm that the settlement of the tank base falls within an acceptable range. This is achieved by using water or a similar test medium with a higher specific gravity than the tank’s intended cargo.
Overall, hydrostatic testing is essential for verifying the integrity, mechanical strength, foundation stability, and overall safety of storage tanks during construction or significant modifications.
How to Know if My Tank Needs Testing?
Hydro-testing for paintball tanks is crucial, and the requirements can vary depending on the manufacturer. Generally, high-pressure air tanks used in paintball must undergo hydro-testing every three to five years.
The tank’s manufacturing date is usually indicated on its label, and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure timely re-hydro-testing once the tank’s validity period expires. During hydro-testing, the tank is pressurized to a level significantly higher than its rated capacity.
If the tank successfully passes the pressure test without any issues, its validity is extended for another three to five years. However, if the tank fails the test, replacement becomes necessary.
CO2 and SCBA cylinders typically require hydro-testing every five years, although newer models may have longer intervals, often every ten years. The cost for CO2 tank hydro-testing is usually around $20.
Wrapping Up
Understanding the importance of hydro-testing your water tank is just as critical as maintaining it. Despite not always being top of mind, regular use of your tank can lead to typical wear and tear, which may result in leaks or bursts as pressure builds up over time.
For top-quality water tanks in the US, consider NFPA 25 Inspections by American Tanks! With over two decades of expertise in water tank quality testing, we manufacture products that meet the highest standards of quality control.
In addition to our outstanding water tank quality testing services, we provide various industrial water tank maintenance solutions, including concrete water tank inspections, general water tank maintenance, and more. At NFPA 25 Inspections by American Tanks, we are committed to inspecting and hydro-testing your water tanks to prevent future failures.
Contact us today to receive a quote for the services you need.
Call NFPA 25 Inspections by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167
Or email at info@nfpa25inspections.com
