API 575 – Practice Questions

Section 3 – Selected Nondestructive Examination Methods

1. In ultrasonic thickness measurements, dual-element transducers have the ability to

operate from thin sections of ____ inch

a) 0.500 – 1.000
b) 0.050 – 0.100
c) 0.050 – 1.000
d) 0.005 – 1.000

2. In performing ultrasonic thickness measurements _____ transducers are recommended

for measurements on penetrations and floors and _____ transducers are recommended
on shells where coating thickness may not be uniform.

a) Dual-element, Single crystal contact

b) Single crystal contact, Dual-element
c) High-temperature, Low-temperature
d) Low-temperature, High-temperature

3. What is the minimum overlap for ultrasonic thickness readings according to the ASME?

a) 10 percent based on the thickness of the part being examined

b) 10 percent based on the diameter of the transducer
c) 10 percent based on the thickness of the calibration block
d) 10 percent based on the diameter of the transducer cable

4. What ultrasonic method can be used to assist in the discrimination between inclusions in
the metal and laminations?

a) A scan
b) B scan
c) Straight beam
d) Shear wave

5. The primary advantage of magnetic floor testing using a floor scanner is the ability to
detect topside pitting and underside corrosion. Additional inspection is required to
quantify flaws detected above certain thresholds. Generally, what method of examination
is used for this purpose?

a) Liquid penetrant
b) Eddy current
c) Ultrasonic
d) Radiography

Question Number Answer

1 c
2 a
3 b
4 d
5 c
 API 575 – Practice Questions

Section 4 – Types of Storage Tanks

1. API-575 states that atmospheric storage tanks are used for fluids having a true vapor
pressure at the storage temperature that is _____.

a) equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure

b) at least 2.5 psi above atmospheric
c) at least 2.5 pounds per square foot above atmospheric
d) substantially below atmospheric

2. What type of tank does API-575 consider the simplest type of atmospheric storage tank?

a) Cone-roof
b) Dome-roof
c) Umbrella-roof
d) Pan-type floating roof

3. The floating roof atmospheric storage tank is designed to do which of the following?

a) Allow the tank to filled completely to the top rim and provide self-venting
b) Prevent personnel for falling into the tank and keep birds out of the storage area
c) Eliminate or minimize the vapor space above the stored liquid
d) Create or maximize the vapor space above the stored liquid

4. The pan-type floating roof is the simplest type of floating roof design. Which of the
following is the most correct?

a) This design is susceptible to collapse

b) This design is susceptible to sinking
c) This design is more susceptible to corrosion
d) This design is not suited for hydrocarbon storage tanks

5. Storage tanks that are designed to operate at pressures, in their gas or vapor spaces,
exceeding 2.5 psi but not more than 15 psi are described as which of the following?

a) Atmospheric storage tanks

b) High-pressure storage tanks
c) Intermediate pressure storage tanks
d) Low-pressure storage tanks

Question Number Answer

1 d
2 a
3 c
4 b
5 d
 API 575 – Practice Questions

Section 5 – Reasons for Inspection and Causes of Deterioration

1. In general, why are storage tanks inspected?

a) To determine their physical condition and cycles of use

b) To determine their physical condition and rate of deterioration
c) To determine their physical dimensions and rate of deterioration
d) To determine their physical condition and type of design

2. What is the prime cause of deterioration of steel storage tanks and accessories?

a) Erosion
b) Upset
c) Settlement
d) Corrosion

3. A sand pad beneath a tank bottom is found to be contaminated with gravel and crushed
stones. What type of problem could this contamination cause?

a) Pitting corrosion at points of contact

b) Punctures of the tank bottom at points of contact
c) Air spaces which provide even corrosion
d) Cracking at the point of contact

4. If soil movement raises the grade level to cover the lower portion of the shell, what would
you as the inspector look for?

a) Severe external corrosion of the shell beneath the soil level

b) Severe external corrosion of the shell just above the soil line
c) Severe internal corrosion of the shell beneath the soil level
d) Severe internal corrosion of the shell just above the soil line

5. Atmospheric corrosion can occur on all external parts of a tank. During your inspection,
you notice considerable damage to the protective coating and accelerated corrosion
rates. What would you suspect the cause to be?

a) Hydrogen and oxygen rich atmosphere

b) Nitrogen and oxygen rich atmosphere
c) Sulfurous or acidic atmosphere
d) Carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich atmosphere

6. Internal corrosion in the vapor space above the liquid of crude oil and petroleum product
tanks is commonly caused by _________.

a) Hydrogen sulfide vapor, water vapor, caustic vapors or any combination of the
three
b) Hydrogen sulfide vapor, nitrogen vapors, oxygen or any combination of the three
c) Hydrogen sulfide vapor, water vapor, oxygen or any combination of the three
d) Hydrogen sulfide vapor, water vapor, nitrogen or any combination of the three

7. Of the following, which is not a point where cracks are most likely to occur?
 API 575 – Practice Questions

a) Around nozzle connections

b) Around rivet holes
c) Bottom-to-shell connections
d) In the roof rafters

8. Why is inspection for cracking of the lower-shell-to-sketch-plate weld critical?

a) This area is more susceptible to cracking because it is subjected to internal and

external atmosphere
b) This area is critical because in relatively large or hot tanks, it has more potential for
cracking
c) This area is critical because in relatively large or hot tanks, it has more potential for
corrosion
d) This area is critical because in relatively small or cold tanks, it has more potential
for cracking

9. Why is it important to check roof drains?

a) Plugged drains can cause enough rainwater to accumulate on the roof to prevent
the tank from being pumped full
b) Plugged drains can cause enough rainwater to accumulate on the roof to increase
the vapor pressure enough to cause the tank to rupture
c) Plugged drains can cause enough rainwater to accumulate on the roof to force
product out of the vents creating an environmental hazard
d) Plugged drains can cause enough rainwater to accumulate on the roof to sink a
pan-type or pontoon-type floating roof

Question Number Answer

1 b
2 d
3 a
4 b
5 c
6 c
7 d
8 b
9 d
 API 575 – Practice Questions

Section 7 – Methods of Inspection and Inspection Scheduling

1. Some of the first items to inspect when conducting an internal inspection of a storage tank
should be which of the following?

a) The tank bottom and the annular ring plate if one is installed
b) The water draw-off pipe and product drain
c) The base of all roof support structures
d) Overhead parts and all supports

2. Where should the recommended inspection of overhead parts and supports be conducted
from?

a) A bosun’s chair suspended through the roof vent after the tank has been gas freed
b) The entry point or other observations points before entering the tank
c) From the very center of the tank bottom with a powerful sealed beam portable light
d) From ladders or scaffolding
API 575 Paragraph 7.1

3. The inspector should thoroughly review __________ prior to conducting internal or

external inspections.

a) The repair plan and/or re-commissioning plan

b) The operating history of the tank and list of products that have been in the tank
c) The inspection and maintenance records
d) The tank entry permit and qualification of the entry attendant

4. When any work is being done on the outside or close to the tank, especially on the roof,
during inspection ________ should be kept informed.

a) The owner/operator
b) The qualified person
c) Personnel working inside the tank
d) Personnel working under the tank

5. When should the majority of external inspection activity be conducted?

a) As soon as the tank is taken out of service and is drained

b) Six months before the tank is removed from service for the internal inspection
c) While the tank is being drained
d) While the tank is in service

6. During the external in-service inspection, ladder and stair treads should be checked. What
condition(s) would you be looking for?

a) Missing rungs and wear

b) Corrosion or broken parts
c) Corrosion and missing rungs
d) Tread-to-tread distance and handrail height
 API 575 – Practice Questions

7. Inspection of pipe connections to the tank should include bolting at flanged joints. Piping
that enters the ground should be inspected at the soil-to-air interface by excavating ___ to
___ inches to permit visual and ultrasonic thickness examination.

a) 18 to 24
b) 12 to 18
c) 6 to 12
d) 4 to 8

8. If during your inspection, you find distortion around a nozzle connection, what additional
action would you recommend?

a) All seams and the shell in this area should be examined

b) All horizontal welds around the tank in the course that contains the nozzle should
be examined
c) All vertical welds within 36 inches of the nozzle should be examined
d) An area measuring two nozzle diameters square should be examined around the
nozzle

9. Grounding connections should be visually checked for corrosion at the point where they
enter the earth. What is the approximate total resistance from the tank to earth?

a) Should not exceed 100 ohms

b) Should not exceed 75 ohms
c) Should not exceed 50 ohms
d) Should not exceed 25 ohms

10. Where would you expect to find paint blisters?

a) On the roof and on the side of the tank on the north side
b) On the roof and on the side of the tank subjected to mist over-spray from cooling
towers
c) On the roof and on the side of the tank adjacent to another tank
d) On the roof and on the side of the tank receiving the most sunlight

11. Why is it recommended that inspectors not walk on insulated roof?

a) The inspector may damage the insulation

b) The insulation may contain hazardous substances
c) The roof plates may not be strong enough to support the inspector’s weight
d) The inspector may cause indentations in the insulation where water can collect

12. The inspector finds corrosion during the shell inspection and requires ultrasonic thickness
measurements to be taken. How many measurements would normally be taken?

a) At least one thickness measurement on each shell ring

b) At least two thickness measurements on each shell ring
c) At least three thickness measurements on each shell ring
d) At least one thickness measurement in the immediate area of the corrosion

13. In obtaining shell thickness measurements, special attention should be given to the upper
__ inches of un-coated shells of floating-roof tanks.
 API 575 – Practice Questions

a) Twelve
b) Twenty-four
c) Eighteen
d) Thirty-six

14. Where would you expect to find caustic stress corrosion cracking (caustic embrittlement)
during an inspection of a storage tank used to store amine?

a) At the liquid to vapor interface

b) At the roof supports on the tank bottom
c) Around connections for internal heating coils or units
d) At the shell-to-bottom connection

15. What should be done if an indication of leakage through a crack is discovered on an in-
service tank?

a) A soft patch should be applied over the crack and the area observed for 24 hours
b) It may be possible to caulk the crack to stop the leakage
c) The tank shall immediately be removed from service, drained, opened, and repaired
d) The tank should be removed from service as soon as possible and a complete
inspection with subsequent repairs made

16. Welded tanks that have significant distortions may cause the weld seams to be over-
stressed. In addition to the bottom-to-shell joint, what other welds are susceptible to
cracking?

a) Horizontal shell seams

b) Vertical shell seams
c) Wind girder attachment welds
d) Reinforcement pad peripheral welds

17. When a tank is of welded construction and has significant distortion, weld seams may
crack. When cracking is suspected, what is the preferred method of nondestructive
examination?

a) Radiography
b) Ultrasonic
c) Liquid Penetrant
d) Magnetic Particle

18. When conducting a tank roof inspection on a floating roof, in addition to the
recommendation that the inspector walk on weld seams, what other precaution should be
taken?

a) The tank should be empty and the roof siting on the lower support stops
b) The roof should be in the high-gauge position if volatile liquid is in the tank
c) Inert gas should be applied under the roof if volatile liquid is in the tank
d) The roof vent(s) should be plugged to prevent vapor escape while the inspector is
on the roof
 API 575 – Practice Questions

19. External corrosion on roof surfaces will usually be most severe at depressions where
water can remain until it evaporates.

a) True
b) False

20. Which of the following is the correct procedure for pressure testing roof drain lines and
joints?

a) First test at about 1.5 times design pressure for approximately ½ hour then reduce
pressure to ½ design pressure and hold for another ½ hour
b) First test at about 15 psi for approximately ½ hour then reduce pressure to 5 psi
and hold for another ½ hour
c) First test at about 30 psi for approximately ½ hour then reduce pressure to 5 psi
and hold for another ½ hour
d) First test at about 3.0 times design pressure for approximately ½ hour then reduce
pressure to ½ design pressure and hold for another ½ hour

21. In conducting a preliminary internal visual inspection, what is the recommended

sequence of the inspection?

a) The bottom, shell, internal supports, and roof in that order

b) The shell, bottom, internal supports, and roof in that order
c) The internal supports, roof, shell, and bottom in that order
d) The roof, internal supports, shell, and bottom in that order

22. An inspector should be aware of the possibility of accumulation of dry pyrophoric

deposits that could ignite during the inspection. What should be done with these deposits
if they cannot be removed prior to the inspection?

a) These deposits should be kept moist

b) These deposits should be kept dry
c) These deposits should be covered with foam
d) These deposits should be left alone and the inspector should stay at least 12 feet
from them

23. Where would you expect to find significant internal corrosion in a tank in sour refinery
fluid service?

a) On the surfaces of the bottom plates

b) In vapor space above the stored liquid
c) Adjacent to the product drain nozzle
d) Adjacent to the manway entrance nozzle

24. Caustic stress corrosion cracking (caustic embritlement) is prevalent when the
temperature rises above ____°F.

a) 100
b) 125
c) 150
d) 175
 API 575 – Practice Questions

25. When the statistical methods are used to assess the probable condition of a tank bottom,
what is the typical amount of the floor that should be randomly scanned?

a) 30 to 50 percent
b) 20 to 30 percent
c) 10 to 20 percent
d) 5 to 10 percent

26. Tanks with a bottom angle between the shell and the bottom should be checked for
cracks in the shell adjacent to any welded butt joints in this angle. What method of
examination should be used?

a) Ultrasonic or radiography
b) Liquid penetrant or magnetic particle
c) Eddy current or acoustic emission
d) Light diesel oil or vacuum box

27. To test for leaks through shell plates, sometimes a penetrating oil can be sprayed or
brushed on one side and the other side observed for leakage. What period of time might
be required to conduct this type of test?

a) 48 hours
b) 36 hours
c) 24 hours
d) 72 hours

28. API-575 discusses several methods of inspecting the bottoms of tanks that are resting on
pads or on the soil. The methods require a temporary clay dam to be placed around the
outside of the tank bottom. Which of the following is not one of the methods discussed?

a) Cover the inside surface with a soap solution and inject air at not more than 3
inches of water pressure under the tank
b) Inject a solution of light diesel oil under the tank at a pressure not more than 3 psi
and observe the tank bottom from the inside for wicking of the oil
c) Pump about 6 inches of water into the tank and then place air at not more than 9
inches of water pressure under the tank
d) Pump water under the tank to depth of about 6 inches above the level of the
highest point of the tank bottom and holding the water with the clay dam

29. Atmospheric tanks that are designed for not more than 0.5 psig over the static pressure
of the liquid contained in the tank are normally tested:

a) By filling the tank with the liquid to be stored

b) By filling the tank with an inert gas
c) By filling the tank with water
d) By filling the tank with a soap solution

30. What should be the deciding factor(s) in determining the need for tank repair or renewal?

a) Structural integrity and leak avoidance

b) Economics
c) Age of the tank
 API 575 – Practice Questions

d) Product stored in the tank

Question Number Answer

1 d
2 b
3 c
4 c
5 d
6 b
7 c
8 a
9 d
10 d
11 c
12 a
13 b
14 c
15 d
16 b
17 d
18 b
19 a
20 c
21 d
22 a
23 b
24 c
25 d
26 b
27 c
28 b
29 c
30 a