🛢️ Design Standards for Tank Terminals

Aygün Karaköse

26 Sep, 2025 08:35 AM

Tank terminals are critical facilities for the storage and distribution of oil, chemicals, gas, and other liquids. To ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability, international design standards must be applied during engineering and construction.

Below is a structured overview of the most widely used tank design standards, organized step by step:

1. Step 1: Primary Standards for Storage Tanks

   API 650 – Welded Tanks for Oil Storage

   
   

   • The most common standard for atmospheric, vertical, cylindrical steel tanks.
   • Defines tank diameter, height, shell thickness, roof types, and welding details.

   API 620 – Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks

   
   

   • Used for low-pressure storage tanks (up to ~15 psi / 1 bar).
   • Applied to LNG, ammonia, and cryogenic storage tanks.

   ASME Section VIII – Pressure Vessels

   
   

   • The main standard for pressurized tanks such as LPG or compressed gases.
   • Covers wall thickness, stress calculations, and safety factors.

   EN 14015 – Specification for the Design and Manufacture of Site-Built Tanks

   
   

   • European equivalent to API 650.
   • Widely used for vertical, flat-bottomed steel tanks storing liquids at ambient temperatures.

   
   

2. Step 2: Supporting Standards

   API 2000 – Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Tanks

   
   

   • Governs venting requirements with pressure/vacuum relief valves.

   API 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction

   
   

   • Covers in-service inspection, maintenance, and repair rules.

   AWWA D100 – Welded Carbon Steel Tanks for Water Storage

   
   

   • Applied to water tanks rather than hydrocarbons.

   ISO 28300 (equivalent to API 2000)

   
   

   • International version for tank venting requirements.

   
   

3. Step 3: Fire & Safety Standards

   • NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
   • Governs fire protection, tank spacing, and safety distances.
   • NFPA 11 – Foam Systems for Fire Protection
   • Defines the design of foam-based fire suppression systems for tank farms.

   
   

4. Step 4: Application in CAD and Engineering Design

   When designing a tank terminal in SolidWorks or any CAD software, these standards guide critical details:

   
   

   • API 650 Tables → for selecting shell thickness, height/diameter ratio, and roof type.
   • ASME VIII Calculations → for pressure vessel wall thickness and head geometry.
   • NFPA 30 Rules → for spacing between tanks and fire protection layout.
   • API 2000/ISO 28300 → for vent nozzle and relief valve sizing.

   
   

5. Step 5: ✅ Summary

   API 650 → Atmospheric storage tanks.

   API 620 → Low-pressure tanks.

   ASME VIII → Pressurized tanks.

   EN 14015 → European tank standard.

   NFPA & API 2000 → Fire, safety, and venting.