Across many industries, storage tanks form the backbone of safe and reliable operations. From fuels and chemicals to water and food-grade materials, tanks are used to store large volumes of substances that businesses depend on every day.
Because these assets often contain hazardous or valuable materials, maintaining their integrity is essential.
Over time, storage tanks are exposed to a variety of stresses. Environmental conditions, temperature changes, operational pressures, and chemical reactions can all contribute to gradual deterioration.
Corrosion may develop, welds may weaken, internal linings can degrade, and foundations may shift.
Regular inspection can help businesses identify these issues early. By monitoring the condition of storage tanks over time, potential defects can be detected and addressed before they develop into larger problems.
This proactive approach helps protect people, assets, and the environment while supporting operational reliability and regulatory compliance.
The challenges of inspecting storage tanks
Although inspections are vital, they’re not always easy to carry out. Storage tanks are often large and complex making safe access challenging. Internal inspections may involve confined space entry, specialist safety measures, and detailed planning. Tanks may also be located at height, within busy sites, or in environments where hazardous substances are present.
Operational considerations can add further complexity. Taking a tank out of service for inspection may affect production schedules or supply chains, meaning inspections must be carefully coordinated to minimise disruption.
These challenges mean that storage tank inspections require both technical expertise and practical experience. Each tank is different, so understanding how it has been designed, used, and maintained over time is essential to carrying out a thorough and reliable assessment.
Control of Major Accidents Hazards (COMAH) inspection services
For some businesses, storage tanks form part of sites that store significant quantities of dangerous substances. In these cases, facilities may fall under regulations designed to control major accident hazards, such as those addressing the storage and handling of hazardous chemicals.
These regulations aim to prevent serious incidents that could harm people, property, or the environment. Making sure that storage tanks remain structurally sound and fit for purpose is a key part of this responsibility.
By identifying deterioration or defects early, inspections help reduce the likelihood of leaks, spills, or other incidents that could escalate into major accidents. In this way, storage tank inspections play an important role in supporting wider site safety and regulatory compliance.
The value of non-destructive testing
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a range of techniques used to assess the condition of materials without damaging the equipment itself.
Technologies such as ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, and radiographic testing can detect corrosion, wall thinning, weld defects and other hidden issues that may not be visible during a visual inspection alone. These methods provide valuable insight into the internal condition of storage tank components.
NDT is particularly valuable for storage tank inspections because it can often be carried out with minimal disruption. In some cases, inspections can take place while tanks remain in service, helping to reduce downtime and operational impact.
By combining traditional inspection methods with NDT techniques, businesses can build a clearer and more complete picture of a tank’s condition. This supports more informed decision making, helping businesses plan maintenance effectively and manage asset integrity with greater confidence.
A proactive approach to asset integrity
Storage tank inspections go beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements. They play an important role in responsible asset management and effective risk reduction.
Through a combination of engineering expertise and modern testing techniques, businesses can build a clearer understanding of the condition of their storage tanks over time. This knowledge supports safer operations and can help extend asset life. Ultimately, taking a proactive approach can help businesses better protect their people, their facilities, and the wider environment.
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This article was adapted from an article by Allianz which can be found here.