Answers to Your ASME Tank Repair Questions

No ASME tank is immune to the occasional repair.

Even the best-of-the-best will experience an issue at some point.

But the process isn’t always cut and dried.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions people have about ASME tank repair – and get the answers you need to avoid costly lulls in production.

1. How can you tell if the ASME tank needs to be altered or repaired?

The National Board Code dictates whether a tank should be altered or repaired.

Here’s what they’ll consider:

Production requirements

Here’s an example of what this looks like.

If you have a tank with a 4-inch nozzle in the shell and customer demand increases, you’ll need a 6-inch nozzle to keep up with the increased production.

In a case like this, the National Board’s Code would call this an alteration as opposed to a repair.

The company that performs the alteration has to be certified to make ASME tank alterations – specifically, to perform the precise calculations to increase the nozzle size from 4 inches to 6 inches.

Extending the tank’s life

What if your ASME tank’s carbon steel nozzle corrodes earlier than anticipated?

You already know that replacing the carbon steel nozzle with a stainless steel nozzle will make the tank last 30% longer than it would have.

The National Board Code may see this one either way, depending on the type of stainless steel you intend to use.

In this scenario, you would need a company that’s certified for repairs or alterations – in the field.

When you work with someone who can do the necessary work in the field, you avoid too much costly downtime in production.

2. How do you know if a company is certified for the ASME tank repair or alteration you need?

The best way is to ask them for a copy of their National Board Certificate.

This certificate states the specific dates the company is qualified to work for and what type of work they’re qualified to do.

3. Are all ASME tank repair services created equal?

NO.

The best choice for your alterations or repairs is the manufacturer who designed and built your tank.

At Tank Fab, we know our tanks well enough that we can usually make on-demand repairs at your facility.

Our services are all in accordance with the National Board Code certification.

Other organizations may be certified by the National Board – but not for the specific repair or alteration that you need.

Here are some of the restrictions you may find with other companies:

• They can only make repairs in their facility. You’d need to have your tank shipped to them for repair.
• They can only do alterations in their facility. This is the same idea. If you need an alteration, you’ll have to ship your tank to them.
• They can make repairs at your location or theirs but NOT alterations. They may be able to make a “house call” but ONLY for repairs.

Tank Fab has the unique advantage to be able to do both alterations and repairs, at our facility or at yours.

Trust the experts

Every tank – no matter how well-built – will need service and repairs.

If you don’t have the right people to perform the repairs and alterations, you risk having production being shut down and losing time and money.

At Tank Fab, we’re experienced and qualified to provide repairs and alterations to many different types of ASME code tanks.

We can do the work at your facility or ours.

You’re valuable to us. Get in touch today to see how we can help.

Where do you go when your ASME tank needs repairs or an alteration?