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API 653 CERTIFIED STORAGE TANK
INSPECTOR:
March 2014 examinations
This course joins our current other UK API-Certification training programmes
running twice each year for API 510 (Pressure Vessel inspector) and API 570
(Pipework inspector)
Features of the API 653 course programmes are:
Full coverage of the published API body of knowledge that comprises thesubject matter for the API 653 examination papers
UK-style course material and coverage of the API/ASME standards presentedin user-friendly format, with extensive exam preparation and sample questions
A combined on-line training/residential training programme (with preparatorystudy packages available in on-line training format, so you can do preliminary
learning in advance, supported by UK tutors)
Matthews Engineering Training Ltd is an Authorized global training
provider to The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
www.matthews-training.co.uk
APPLICATION PACKAGE
MATTHEWS ENGINEERING
TRAINING are now taking
registrations for our next UK
preparation course for the AmericanPetroleum Institute (API) Individual
Certification Programme (ICP)
API 653: Certified above-
ground Storage Tank Inspector
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API 653 CERTIFIED ABOVE-GROUND STORAGE TANK
INSPECTOR
1. THE API INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMMES
The American Petroleum Institute (API) runs a certification programme for in-service inspectors.
This is a system of certification of individual inspectors (not companies) involved in the in-service
inspection of pressure vessels, pipework and storage tanks. It is used extensively in the USA (it is a
legal requirement in many states for inspectors to be certified) and in other countries that use
API/ASME codes. In countries where it is not a legal requirement, it is becoming increasingly
recognised as a benchmark standard for certification of inspectors. The API schemes under
which inspectors are certified are termed the Individual Certification Programmes(ICP)
1.1 How many ICPs are there?
There are three main ones, each linked to a specific set of API and ASME codes relating to the
type of equipment covered. They are:
API 510:Pressure vessel inspector:
API 570: Pipework inspector
API 653:Storage tank inspector
These 3 main certification programmes have been established for many years. MATTHEWSENGINEERING TRAINING LTD run training programmes for all three of these in the UK
1.2 Which industries recognise API 653 certification?
The API organisation has its roots in the petrochemical industry, but the influence of US codes and
standards extends to many other industries, hence most large-scale process industries around the
world recognise API inspector certification. This is because many of the vessels and pipework
systems used are built to the ASME/API codes that form the foundation of the inspector
certification examinations. API-certified inspectors can therefore be found in:
Refining/Petrochemicals
Offshore/onshore oil and gas industries
Power utilities
General process industry
1.3 What is the recognition of API certification in the UK/ Europe?
It is fair to say that the recognition of API inspector certification in the UK has increased over the
past few years. There are several reasons for this:
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Increasing ownership of facilities and onshore power/process plants by US companies, whoare used to recognising API certification.
Regulatory authorities prefer to see some evidence of inspector competence, againsttechnical codes that they recognise. Mention of inspection procedures to API 653 regularly
appear in industry seminars and discussion documents discussing the avoidance of system
leakage, failures, regulatory issues etc.
2. HOW DO I BECOME API CERTIFIED?
In simple terms, to become certified as an API certified inspector, all you have to do is apply to
API, meet their acceptance criteria (see later), and then pass the formal examination.
In practice, unless you have full familiarity with the relevant codes (1000+ pages worth), you will
need to prepare for the examination by enrolling on a training course. The training course will
teach you about the subject matter covered, test you using mock exams etc, and prepare you to take
the API exam.
2.1 How does the examination procedure work?
The examination procedure is fairly formal and non-negotiable. The exam papers are set by API
and invigilated by lecturers formally appointed by API. The examination procedure lasts 8 hours
and consists of open-book and closed-book sections. Candidates must bring along original copies
of the various standards required for their use in the open-book section of the exam.
2.2 When and where are the examinations held?
The API 653 examinations are held on scheduled dates during the year. Candidates book in
advance to attend an examination session at which they sit the examinations. The examination
sessions are organised with API through a training provider, enabling candidates to sit for the
examination either immediately after they have completed the exam preparation training course, or
within a short time.
The training provider helps set up the exam locations, chosen to suit the majority of delegates. In
most cases, the exam will be held in the same location as the exam preparation training course.
2.3 What is the technical content of the API 653 examinations?
The technical content of the examinations are well defined and linked closely to API and ASME
codes and standards. The content of the exam preparation training courses reflects the scope of the
examinations, in order to prepare the delegate to sit the exam.
Tables 1 and 2 show an outline summary of the technical coverage of the API 653 Storage Tank
Inspectorsubjects
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Table 1:API 653 CERTIFIED STORAGE TANK
INSPECTOR
Technical standards covered API 653 Syllabus subjects
API 575, Inspection ofatmospheric and low-pressurestorage tanks.
API RP 571, Damagemechanisms affecting fixed
equipment in the refiningindustry,
API 650, Welded steel tanks foroil storage.
API 651, Cathodic protection ofabove-ground storage tanks
API 652, Lining of above-ground storage tanks
API 653, Tank inspection,repair, alteration andreconstruction
ASME V, Non-destructiveExamination,
ASME IX, WeldingQualifications
Code calculations and inspection intervals for new anddegraded storage tanks including consideration for:
Corrosion rates and allowances
Remaining service life and inspectionintervals
Pitting assessment
Corrosion protection of storage tanks
Thickness calculations for tank shells and floors
Tank settlement and distortion evaluation
Hydraulic testing
Impact test requirements and exemptions
Minimum wall thickness and workingpressure/temperature requirements
Tank repair procedures (patches, lap welds etc)
Weld heat treatment requirements
Weld WPS/PQR evaluation (ASME IX basis):SMAW/GTAW/SAW/GMAW
General rules for welding (API and ASME basis)
NDT requirements of ASME V: Visual/RT/DP/MPITechniques
CalibrationExaminationInterpretation
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2.4 What are the API examination entry requirements?
API set minimum entry requirements for candidates who want to take the API 653 exams. The
general principle is that candidates must be employed by or under contract to an authorised
inspection agency or owner/user organization. In the UK and other countries that do not have a
formal system of legally authorised inspection organisations (UKAS accreditation is not the same
thing as it is not a legal requirement), this is interpreted slightly differently. Inspectors who work
under contract (self-employed or Ltd Company) are generally considered eligible, as long as they
can demonstrate that they have been working in the inspection field
The above requirements serve to exclude mainly those people who are not involved in the
inspection industry and who therefore would not be suitable for API certification. In practice, mostpeople who have been working in the inspection industry in NDT, inspection, maintenance etc
should not have too much trouble in satisfying these entry requirements.
Tables 3 below shows the API-published entry requirements. Note that it is only necessary to
satisfy one of the entry requirement rows (i.e. A, B, C or D)
Table 3: API 653 Exam entry requirementsEducation Experience
requiredSkills
ADegree (or higher)
in engineering1 year
Supervision or performance of
inspection activities of storage
tanks
B
Higher qualification
or certificate in
engineering or
technology
2 years
C Basic engineeringqualification 3 years
D No qualifications 5 or more years
Design, construction, repair,
operation, or inspection of storage
tanks, of which 1 year must be in
supervision or performance of
inspection activities
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2.5 What does it all cost?
There are various costs involved in achieving API certification. Table 4 shows the details.
Table 4: API 653 Inspector certification: Budget costs
Cost per person
Budget (amount
depends on $:
exchange rate)
Payable toWhen
payableNotes
API 653
Preparation training
course
2014 UK API on-
line + classroom
programme
Total cost 2250 +
VAT
Training provider
(Matthews Eng
Training Ltd)
On entry to the
training course
Purchase of the
standards document
package you will
require to sit the
course and the
examination
Approx $1300US
& shipping
charges(for the
combined document
sets comprising the
API 653 package)
If you have access
to original copies of
the standards
already, you will
not have to pay this
Purchased directly
from the document
suppliers (we will
supply details of
how to order)
At the start of
the first training
course modules
(or soon
afterwards)
Combined on-line+
classroom
programme consists
of preliminary on-
line training
modules plus 5+2
day classroomexam preparation
course. Last
registration date for
our January to
March 2014
training course is
07th
January 2014,
although the course
is normally full up
several months
before this.
API application/
examination fee$800 US Directly to API
For the March 2014 exams, the last
application/payment date is 20th
January 2014 (to be confirmed).Details will be provided on how to
register and make this payment
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3. THE MET EXAM PREPARATION TRAINING PROGRAMME
As an established provider of inspection training courses, Matthews Engineering Training Ltd
(MET) now offer the API 653 training programme for the March 2014 exams to be held in
the UK. These programmes are written and delivered by UK presenters and cover all the
skills required to sit for the API examinations.
3.1 Are there any additional entry requirements for the exam
preparation training programme?
At MATTHEWS ENGINEERING TRAINING we are keen to make sure that delegates who
we accept onto our API 653 preparation training courses have a good chance of passing the
examination. We therefore have an application assessment procedure consisting of a CV
assessment and, in marginal cases, a technical questionnaire. The purpose of the
questionnaire is to assess an applicants initial knowledge of some of the technical subjects
that will be covered in the course, and subsequently in the API examinations. This will give
us an idea as to whether you will do sufficiently well on the course to give you a fair chance
of passing the examinations
3.2 What is the format of the MET training programmes?
For API 653, you can either take the combined (on-line training + classroom course)
programme or in a few special cases the classroom-only training programme
The combined in-line + classroom course consists of two parts:
Part 1: Preliminary distance learning training modules
Part 2 :A 5+2 days full time residential classroom course
This training programme format provides candidates with a structured way of acquiring the
knowledge needed to sit for the API examinations. The advantages of the two-part format
are:
Candidates can fit Part 1 around their existing work commitments; for exampleoffshore or contract work.
It provides a more flexible way of learning than a long classroom course (some
overseas API courses last 9-12 days or more)
It minimises information overload; you can do Part 1 at a speed that suits yourself
The figure below shows the structure of the training programme
Registration
on training
programme
Part 25+2 day
classroomcourse
API
Exam
Part 14-5 x On-
line/distancelearning modules
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3.3 How does Part 1 of the training programme work?
Part 1 consists of 4-5 training modules covering selected technical subjects in the API
syllabus. These provide the core information that you will need, in order to understand the
use of the API codes and referenced documents. Typical modules are:
Module 1A: Parameters, symbols and calculation
Module 1B: Principles of code-based inspection
Module 1C: API 653 basic code methodology
Module 1D: Welding/NDE
3.4 What documents do I need to start the Part 1 programme?
One of the long-standing features of all the API inspector certification programmes is that
candidates must acquire a code documentation package. This is an extensive set of
documentscomprising all the necessary parts of the API/ASME codes and standards covered
in the API syllabus. This is a requirement set by API and is non-negotiable. You will need to
produce the documents to use in the examination and they will not allow you to use
photocopies.
As you will be learning to use these documents during the Part 1 training modules it makes
sense to acquire them at the beginning. You buy the documentation directly from the
suppliers (we will provide ordering information and contact details for you).If you have
access to an original set of codes already (and they are correct up-to-date versions), forexample through your employer, you will not need to buy this documentation package. We
can inform you of the code edition revisions that you will need.
All other learning material that you need will be provided as part of the Part 1 training
programme
3.5 How much time input does each module require?
The modules vary a little in length and complexity and you can work through each one atyour own speed. As a guide, however, we recommend that you budget at least 15-20 hours
self-study time for each module. The best way is to do this is in study sessions of perhaps 1-2
hours each. This makes a total recommended study time of at least 50-60 hours.
3.6 How long do I have to complete the modules?
This depends on when you register for and start the training programme, relative to the date
of the Part 2 residential training course and the subsequent API examination date. Once you
have started, the on-line training modules follow a timed pattern and you have to work
through sequentially, participating in sample questions and end-of-module tests as you go.
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3.7 Is there tutor help available?
Yes, following registration, you will be given e-mail/contact details of your tutors. You can
contact them with individual technical queries. This will help guide you through the training
modules.
3.8 How do I know when I have completed the Part 1 trainingmodules?
As you work through each of the modules you will learn about various code sections and do
sample test questions and exercises. When you feel confident that you understand the
material, you sit the on-line end-of-module test and are informed of your results. This will
give you an idea as to your understanding of the technical material. If you get a low mark in
this test, you can do further study, and do an on-line test resit.
3.9 How does Part 2 of the training programme work?
Part 2 consists of a 5+2 day full time classroom training course. Unless they live nearby,
most delegates will treat this as a residential course, enabling them to take advantage of the
evening study and revision sessions. The course consists of:
Revision and sample tests of the subjects covered in the Part 1 distance learningmodules
Daily training modules of the remainder of the API 653 examination syllabus
Daily sample test sessions and homework/revision exercises
At the end of the course, delegates will sit mock examinations held under simulated API
exam conditions. This will prepare them to sit the formal API examination, which will be
scheduled for a date very soon after the Part 2 training course (normally either the next day or
early following week)
3.10 Where will the Part 2 training course be held?
The exact location will depend on the number of delegates and where they come from.Normally, locations are chosen from:
Teesside
Midlands (M42/M6)
Currently, the March 2014 course is scheduled to be in Uttoxeter, in the Midlands.
3.11 What documentation do I need?
Only the code documentation package that you will have already acquired for the Part 1
distance learning modules. Everything else will be provided during the course.
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3.12 When are the March 2014 courses held?
Table 5 below, shows the schedule dates for the March 2014 API 653 programme
MATTHEWS ENGINEERING TRAINING (MET) LTDTABLE 5:API 653 CERTIFIED STORAGE TANK INSPECTOR: March 2014
UK PROGRAMME (combined on-line + classroom)March 2014
Jan-March 201417
th-21
stMarch 2014 24
th-25
thMarch 2014
Wednesday 26th
March 2014
MET Training programmePart 1: distance learning
modulesPart 2: Classroom training course(s) API 653 Exams
3.13 What does the training programme cost?
The cost of the Matthews Engineering Training API 653 programmes (combined on-line +
classroom) is 2250+VAT per delegate. As the object of the training programme is for
delegates to progress through both parts of the programme and then sit the exam, fees arepayable in full at the time of registration. Alternative payment arrangements/discounts may
be available for block-bookings of three or more delegates.
In addition to the training programme fees you will have to pay for (see table 4):
Your purchase of the code documentation package, if you dont already have thedocuments.
Your travel and accommodation costs (if applicable) for the 5+2 day Part 2 course
The API exam registration fee (payable directly to API approx 9-10 weeks before theexam)
3.14 What if I cannot complete the training programme?
If, after booking your course place with Matthews Training you find you have problems
making arrangements to start the on-line course, or meet the later residential course dates you
can postpone your course to a later date (normally the next course 6-months later). To qualify
for this, you must inform Matthews Engineering Training Ltd of your postponement within 2
weeks after the published start date of the online training modules . If you delay your
postponement until after this date, you will not be able to claim a free postponement and will
need to either try harder to continue with the course, or forfeit your fee, as you will already
have taken the place of another delegate who has had to wait until the next course
Last exam registration date for March 2014API 653 exams 20th January 2014
(provisional. Still to be confirmed by API)
Last start date for MET API 653 online
training programme is 07th January 2014
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MATTHEWS ENGINEERING TRAINING LTD
API 653 CERTIFIED STORAGE TANK INSPECTOR:
JANUARY MARCH 2014
APPLYING FOR YOUR TRAINING PROGRAMME
Your next step
To apply for your place on the Matthews Engineering Training 2014 API 653 training
programme simply:
Step 1.Read through this document and make sure you understand the procedure, technicalcontent, and costs involved. If you have any queries, contact Cliff Matthews on:
Tel 07732 799351 (leave a voicemail message and we will get back
to you)
Step 2. Forward your CV for assessment to: [email protected] will e-mail or telephone you to discuss your CV and comment on its suitability in
meeting the API examination entry requirements. In marginal cases, we may also ask you tocomplete a simple on-line entry questionnaire to check whether API inspector certification is
the best technical option for you. If everything is acceptable we will agree your entry to the
course and hold a provisional place for you
Step 3.We will forward you a proforma invoice for payment of your course fees or, in somecases, a deposit (for example if you are waiting for confirmation from your employers that
they will pay your course fees).Once we have received payment of our invoice your place is
confirmed
Established customersWe have many established customers, mainly large companies in the
power/petrochemical/offshore/inspection industry who regularly send delegates on our
training programmes. In these cases, all we may require is a purchase order /requisition
number
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON OUR TRAINING PROGRAMMES
See our website for separate
information document on our API 510
Certified Pressure vessel inspector and
API 570 Certified Pipework inspector
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