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Page 1 of 11 [email protected]

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:

[email protected]

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

653 March 2014 Info

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