Are there any requirements regarding manufacturing qualifications for large atmospheric-pressure storage tanks used to store highly hazardous materials?

None of them fall under regulatory oversight; so do you think qualifications are necessary?

The design unit for Class II and III storage tanks shall possess Class A design qualifications in the field of petroleum and chemical product engineering design. Obviously, the party responsible for producing the images already has this qualification. Therefore, the installation contractor must possess a general contracting qualification for chemical and petroleum engineering construction, or a general contracting qualification for mechanical and electrical installation projects, or a professional contracting qualification for mechanical and electrical equipment installation (grades 1 or 2).

For large atmospheric-pressure storage tanks used to store highly hazardous materials, if they are classified as Category II in the diagram, the requirements regarding manufacturing qualifications must be determined by considering **standards and industry regulations as a whole. The key points of analysis are as follows: 1. Criteria for classifying storage tanks (standards such as GB 50341). Class II storage tanks generally refer to atmospheric-pressure tanks that store medium- or highly hazardous substances (such as benzene, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) or highly corrosive substances. According to the \"Design Code for Petrochemical Storage and Transportation Systems\" (SH/T 3007) or the \"Design Code for Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Storage Tanks\" (GB 50341), the design, manufacturing, and inspection requirements for Class II storage tanks are stricter than those for Class I tanks (for general media), but lower than those for Class III tanks (for highly hazardous substances or under special operating conditions). 2. Requirements for manufacturing qualifications: Difference between pressure vessels and atmospheric pressure vessels: If a storage tank operates at atmospheric pressure (design pressure < 0.1 MPa), it is generally not subject to the regulations set out in the \"Safety Technical Supervision Regulations for Pressure Vessels\" (TSG 21-2016), but it must still comply with standards such as \"Welded Steel Atmospheric Pressure Vessels\" (NB/T 47003.1). Exception: If the medium is highly hazardous (such as occupational exposure toxins of Grade I/II as defined in GBZ 230), even at normal pressure, some items may require management in accordance with pressure vessel standards. Qualification certification: The manufacturing unit must possess a license for the manufacture of special equipment (Pressure Vessel Class A3) (if management in accordance with pressure vessel regulations is required). If designed as a pressure vessel at normal pressure, it still requires ISO 9001 quality management system certification as well as relevant industry qualifications (such as the general contracting qualification for petrochemical engineering construction). For high-hazard media, the owner or designer may require additional certification for an HSE management system or compliance with international standards such as API 620/650. 3. Special requirements for design, materials, and manufacturing processes: Material selection: It must comply with the GBT 713 standard (steel plates for pressure vessels), along with a third-party inspection report. Welding process: Welders must hold a welding operation certificate for special equipment, and the welds must undergo 100% non-destructive testing (RT or UT). Corrosion protection measures: For corrosive media, lining coatings or duplex stainless steel may be required. 4. Compliance recommendations: Verify the design documents to ensure that the storage tank is designed in accordance with the standards for pressure vessels (such as GB 150); if it operates at atmospheric pressure but in a high-risk environment, it is necessary to consult the local market supervision authorities. Select qualified suppliers: Manufacturers must hold a Class D pressure vessel license or the appropriate qualifications for manufacturing vessels at atmospheric pressure, and must provide proof of prior experience in similar projects. Acceptance criteria: Leakage tests and risk assessments must be carried out in accordance with the \"Safety Technical Regulations for Fixed Atmospheric Pressure Storage Tanks\" (AQ 3053-2015). Conclusion: If the tank is labeled as a Class II atmospheric pressure tank and the medium involved is highly hazardous, although it is not mandatory to have manufacturing qualifications for pressure vessels, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the standards of the petrochemical/chemical industry. It is advisable to choose manufacturers with A3-level pressure vessel qualifications or NB/T 47003 certification, and to strengthen quality control processes. It is recommended to entrust a unit with qualifications in petrochemical design to review the drawings to ensure compliance.

This post was last edited by fengxl on 2025-5-27 at 16:48. The requirements for manufacturing units regarding large storage tanks can be met in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 7 of AQ3053, \"Safety Technical Regulations for Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Storage Tanks\". The prefabrication and construction units for storage tanks must meet the following requirements: They should possess a qualification of level 3 or higher as general contractors for the installation of chemical and petroleum equipment and pipelines; the tank owners are responsible for reviewing and verifying the qualifications of these construction units. The qualifications of the tank construction contractor must meet the following requirements: 1) For tanks with a nominal volume of 20,000 m³ or more, the contractor must have grade one qualifications; 2) For tanks with a nominal volume less than 20,000 m³ but equal to or greater than 10,000 m³, the contractor must have grade two qualifications; 3) For tanks with a nominal volume less than 10,000 m³, the contractor must have grade three qualifications.