Professional Training and Consultation

15-20 May 2004, Dammam

API 653 PREPARATORY COURSE

Final Exam — Closed Book

1. The complete or partial removal and replacement of more

than 12 inches of a vertical weld joining shell plates is
considered a :
(a) minor alteration; (b) minor repair;
(c) major alteration; (d) major repair.

2. A single film technique was used to make a radiograph using a

Cobalt-60 source. The minimum permitted density in the area of
interest is:

a. 4.0
b. 1.8
c. 2.0
d. 1.3

3. At what level is the atmosphere considered oxygen-deficient?

a. Less than 19.5%

b. Less than 21.9%
c. Less than 24.9%
d. Less than 16.0%

4. __________ is a change from previous operating

conditions involving different properties of the stored
product such as specific gravity or corrosivity and / or
different service conditions of temperature and / or
pressure:
(a) Re-rating; (b) Change in service;
(c) Repair; (d) Reconstruction

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5. Describe how a liquid penetrant examination should be

performed in order to detect discontinuities which are open to
the surface.

a. Clean the part, apply the developer, apply the penetrant,

remove excess penetrant, inspect the part, clean the part
b. Clean the part, apply penetrant, remove excess penetrant,
apply the developer, inspect the part, clean the part
c. Clean the part, apply the developer, apply the penetrant,
inspect the part, remove excess penetrant, clean the part
d. Clean the part, apply the developer, apply the penetrant,
inspect the part, clean the part

6. A radiographic technique in which radiation passed through two

walls and both the walls are viewed on the same radiograph
(double wall, double image – ellipse) the limitation for the outside
diameter is:

a. 3-1/2”
b. 2”
c. 4”
d. Any diameter possible

7. Information needed when determining the rate of corrosion:

a. Original thickness or last inspection thickness

b. Current thickness
c. Length of time in service
d. All the above

8. The maximum acceptable undercutting for base metal in

repaired or altered horizontal welds is :-
(a) 1/64"; (b) 1/32"; (c) 1/16"; (d) 1/8"

9. The definition of a confined space is:

a. large enough to enter

b. restricted means of entry

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c. not designed for continuous occupancy

d. all of the above are required

10. An individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who

monitors the authorized entrants and orders the authorized
entrants to evacuate the permit space under unsafe conditions.
This individual is referred as:

a. Supervisor
b. A qualified person
c. An attendant
d. None of above

11. A corroded area of a tank bottom plate is repaired by welding

overlay. There is no change in the rating and no change is made
on the nameplate. Which of the following is the correct term to
describe this process?

a. Reconstruction
b. Repair
c. Alteration
d. None of the above

12. The maximum interval between internal inspections shall

not exceed ____ years:
(a) 10; (b) 20; (c) 5; (d) 15.

13. Hot taps are not permitted under which of the following
conditions?

a. On plates requiring PWHT.

b. On ultrasonically sound plate
c. On tanks with dia. more than 80 feet.
d. None of above.

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14. For a tank of 160ft dia. Is to be checked for shell settlement.

Minimum number of equally spaced settlement points to be
checked will be:

a. 16
b. 20
c. 24
d. 12

15. For a tank made by reconstruction, under what circumstances

may a new shell-to-bottom weld be exempt from hydrostatic
testing?

a. When the root pass has been visually

inspected and the final weld is fully
examined, visually and radiographically.
b. Reconstructed tank is never exempted
from hydrostatic testing.
c. When the root pass has been visually inspected
and the final weld is fully examined, visually
and by vacuum box.
d. When the welding method has been reviewed
and approved by an engineer experienced in
tank design in accordance with API Standard
650.

16. In atmospheric conditions, bottom coatings may be applied if the

steel temperature is:

a. 2° F above the dew point

b. 5° F below the dew point.
c. 10° F above the dew point.
d. at the dew point.

17. Procedure qualification for welding of tanks is done in accordance

with

a. AWS D1.1
b. API 1104

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c. ASME Section IX
d. All of the above

18. Widely scattered pits may be ignored under the

following conditions

a. Where the service fluid is corrosive or hard to hold.

b. If sum of bit length along 8” vertical line does not
exceed 2”
c. When no pit has depth which results in the minimum
thickness being less than one-half the minimum
acceptable thickness of the shell plate exclusive of
corrosion allowance
d. b and c

19. For verification of radiographic sensitivity and image

quality, which of the following are used:

a. Cassettes
b. Penetrameters
c. Cameras
d. Collimators

20. Internal corrosion in the vapour space above liquid level

occurs due to:

a. Hydrogen Sulphide vapour

b. Water vapour
c. Oxygen
d. Any combination of the above three

21. API 650: Appendix M provides requirements for Tanks

designed to operate at the following range of temperatures :

a. exceeding 260 deg C

b. above 90 deg C
c. below 90 deg C
d. “B” or “C”

22. For a reconstructed tank as per API 653 Verticality (out-of-

plumbness) of top of the shell shall not exceed,
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a. 1/300 of total tank height

b. 1/250 of total tank height
c. 1/400 of total tank height
d. None of the above

23. Tank bottom linings are called “thick film lining” when the
lining thickness is:

a. more than 1 mm thk

b. equal or more than 20 mils
c. more than 20 mils
d. more than 2 mm thk

24. Hot tap can be performed on:

a. vapour space in the shell

a. on the roof
b. in the shell below liquid level
c. anywhere on the tank

25. A radiograph was having density near the penetrameter equal

to 3.0. Hence the acceptable density range of the radiograph
is:

a. 1.7 to 4
b. 2.55 to 3.9
c. 2.0 to 4.0
d. None of the above

26. The examiner for conducting magnetic particle

testing on the tank welds shall be:

a. Qualified as per ASNT Level II or III

b. Able to read Jagger-2
c. Qualified as per ASME Sec. V
d. None of the above

27. In atmospheric conditions, bottom coatings may be applied if

the steel temperature is:

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a. 2° F above the dew point.

b. 5° F below the dew point
c. 10° F above the dew point
d. at the dew point

28. How many equally spaced measurements are required

for the thickness averaging technique?
(a) 2; (b) 5; (c) 4; (d) 3.

29. How many specimens and impact tests must be

performed from a single test coupon or test location?
(a) 1; (b) 2; (c) 3; (d) 4.

30. Hydrostatic tests shall be held for ____ hours:-

(a) 2; (b) 8; (c) 24; (d) 72.

31. In a radiographic film of a weld, how is back scatter

checked?
(a) by use of a penetrameter;
(b) by film density;
(c) using lead letter “B”;
(d) all of the above.

32. In general, if shell thickness does not exceed ____ inch,

it does not require further assessment for brittle
fracture:-
(a) 0.25; (b) 0.75; (c) 1.00; (d) 0.50

33. Potential for brittle fracture exists for tanks constructed

according to:
(a) API 650 – 7th edition
(b) API 650 – latest edition
(c) API 650 – 4th edition
(d) none of the above

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34. Three types of external inspections are :-

(a) scheduled, routine and liquid penetrant;
(b) scheduled, routine and UT thickness;
(c) scheduled out of service, routine and UT
thickness;
(d) unscheduled, routine and liquid penetrant.

35. Welders qualifications shall expire as they do not weld

:-
(a) within a given process for a 6 month period;
(b) using a given procedure for a 6 month period;
(c) on a tank for 6 months;
(d) for a 3 month period.

36. What are penetrameters used for :-

(a) A penetrameter is used for radiographic technique
in that it serves as an image quality indicator
(b) It indicates the magnetic properties of the
materials
(c) To check penetrant quality in PT inspection
(d) To check weld penetration during welding

37. Unless otherwise agreed to by the purchaser, what is

the minimum nominal width of a shell plate?

(a) 36 inches; (b) 48 inches;

(c) 72 inches; (d) 96 inches.

38. Vertical welds must be fully radiographed if the shell

thickness exceeds inches :-

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(a) 3/4; (b) 1; (c) 1 1/4; (d) 1 1/2.

39. Welding filler metals are grouped into groupings based

on their AWS classification:-

(a) P-numbers; (b) F-numbers;

(c) Z-numbers; (d) ASTM spec.

40. When reviewing a radiograph, a light image of the letter

B can be seen on the film with dark background.

(a) This is cause for rejection;

(b) This is not cause for rejection;
(c) This is the same as a light letter B;
(d) An unusual safety hazard existed during the
exposure.

41. Which of the following penetrant system is generally

considered least sensitive?

a. Water-washable – visible dye.

b. Solvent removable – visible dye.
c. Water-washable – fluorescent dye.
d. Post-emulsification – visible dye.

42. The nondestructive examination method to be used for

a particular inspection should be determined by the:
a. Availability of certified NDE examiners.
b. Length of time since the last inspection.
c. Age of the component to be inspected.
d. Type, location, and orientation of the expected
flaws.
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43. Most suitable UT equipment for use on rough surface is:

a. CRT type
b. Direct readout type
c. Either a or b, anything is okay
d. a and b, both are not suitable

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15-20 May 2004

Dammam, Saudi Arabia

API 653 PREPARATORY COURSE

Final Exam – Closed Book
Answer Key

1 D 26 B
2 C 27 C
3 A 28 B
4 B 29 C
5 B 30 C
6 A 31 C
7 D 32 D
8 B 33 C
9 D 34 B
10 C 35 A
11 B 36 A
12 B 37 C
13 A 38 B
14 A 39 B
15 B 40 A
16 C 41 A
17 C 42 D
18 D 43 A
19 B ----- ---------------------------------
20 D
21 B
22 D
23 C
24 B
25 C

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API 653 PREPARATORY COURSE

Final Exam — Open Book

1. Exclusive of corrosion allowance, what is the minimum nominal thickness for all
new construction bottom plates?

a. ½ inch
b. ¼ inch
c. 3/16 inch
d. 5/8 inch

2. For new or repaired shell horizontal joints, how many radiographs shall be taken for
each 50 feet of horizontal joint, not including those required at intersection of
vertical and horizontal joints?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

3. The recommended minimum development time (penetrant testing ) allowed for a

material made of high temperature alloy is:

a. 5 min
b. 10 min
c. 7 min
d. 60 min

4. Select suitable Hole type (source side) penetrameter for following weld
joint

Weld reinf. = 1/8"

7/8 "

z
a) Backing strip = 3/16 " thk

a) No 20
b) No 25
c) No 30
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d) None of the above

a. If type of penetrameter is Q.1 is changed to wire type what shall be the wire
designation (wire decimeter in inch)

a. 0.025 (NO. 10)

b. 0.016 (NO. 8)
c. 0.032 (NO. 11)
d. none of the above

b. For steel plates and weld to be checked LPI, what shall be the penetration time
for penetrant

a. 10 min for weld, 5 min for plate

b. 5 min for both
c. 10 min for both
d. 5 min for weld, 10 min for plate

7. After applying the developer the examiner checked four welds for surface
defects after following period, weld A- after 5 minute, weld B after 10 minute,
weld C was checked after 30 minutes and weld D after 65 minutes which of the
weld were checked wrongly

a. weld A and B
b. weld C and D
c. weld D only
d. weld A and D

8. Following combination of base metal and welding electrode was qualified by a

certain PQR… impact testing is not required.

Base Metal =SA 285 GrC Plates, ¾” thk

Welding electrode = AWS E 6015

This PQR will qualify which of the following combination of base metal- welding
electrodes.

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a. 1” thk SA 515Gr 60 plates, E 6013 electrodes

b. 1 ¾ “ rhk SA 285 GrC plates, E 6013 electrodes
c. 1 ¼ thk plates SA 516Gr70, E 7018 electrodes
d. None of the above

9. For MT examination by prod techniques the spacing between prods shall be

between

a. 4 inch to 12 inch
b. 4 inch to 10 inch
c. 3 inch to 10 inch
d. 3 inch to 8 inch

10. For a tank with 130 ft diameter thickness of top course worked out was td=5mm
tt=4mm. What will be minimum nominal thickness provided for this course
according to API 650 for a new tank?

a. 3/16” (5mm)
b. 1/4” (6mm)
c. 5/16” (8mm)
d. None of the above

11. For a tank with diameter 100ft was found to have thickness reduction in a
localized area. Minimum thickness observed (t2) was 1 inch. What will be the
minimum vertical length of for the area?

a. 40 inches
b. 37 inches
c. 45 inches
d. None of the above

12. On a tank roof plate two corroded areas was observed at locations A and B for
location A, average thickness = 0.085 inches, area = 105 in2

Location B, average thickness = 0.095 inches, Area = 105 in2 your decision will
be:

a. Both A and B are within limits

b. Location A is OK, location B is art of limits
c. Both A and B are out of limits
d. Location B in OK, location A is out of limits

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13. Hot tap connection is to be made on tank with following description shell plate
thickness = ¾ inch. Design temperature =30F the plates were not tested for
impact testing, (Consr. Code API 650-1974). What will be the maximum size of
tapping connection?

a. 8 inches NPS
b. 6 inches NPS
c. 10 inches NPS
d. 4 inches NPS
14. A replacement plate to be used on a shell thickness of 5/8 inch, on the second
course of the tank. Thickness of first course and third course is also 5/8 inch.
Following 3 plates are available which one is most suitable to be used as
replacement plate.

a. Plate thickness = ¾”
b. Plate thickness = 5/8”
c. Plate thickness = 1/2”
d. Plate thickness = 1”

15. A tank is having remaining corrosion allowance of 2.5mm and corrosion rate of
the shell is 0.1mm per year. What will be inspection interval for next ultrasonic
thickness inspection from outside of the tank?

a. 15 Years
b. 12.5 Years
c. 10 Years
d. 5 Years

16. Typical corroded areas on a shell plate are exhibited below in figure 1 with
measured thickness in inches indicated on the sketch. The un-corroded thickness
of the shell palte is 0.750 inches and C.A is 0.125”

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Figure 1

AREA “A”
0.65

0.66

0.72

0.54 AREA “B”

0.75
0.72

0
0.66 AREA “C”

0.75

The total length of a arrow line drawn is 8 inches. The length of the line in each of the
corroded areas A, B and C are 1.5”, 0.8” and 0.5 inches respectively.

Comment on the acceptability of the corroded condition.

a. The pitting can be ignored as a case of widely scattered pitting as both

pitting depth and dimensions are within limits

b. Not acceptable as size are not OK, total length of the pit dimensions is
more than permitted

c. The pitting can be ignored as a case of widely scattered pitting since depth
are OK

d. The pitting cannot be ignored as a case of widely scattered pitting since

depth are not OK

17. Two plates sample A and B were tested for longitudinal impact testing.
Following were results observed. They belonged to Group No. I as per API 650:

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Results of impact test for sample A were 18ft lb, 8ft lb, 16ft lb.
Results on sample „B‟: 12ft lb, 14ft lb, 20 ft. lb

Your assessment will be:

a. sample A and B both OK

b. sample A and B both to be re-tested
c. sample B is OK, A shall be re-tested
d. sample a is OK, B shall be re-tested

18. For replacement to an existing 0.25” thick shell plate of an AST, another plate
of 0.25” thickness to ASTM A36 is used. What should be the minimum clear
distance between the outer edges of the adjacent but welds of vertical and
horizontal joints, respectively?

a. 10” & 6”
b. 6” & 3”
c. 8” & 4”
d. 12” & 6”

19. Repair of a 5/8” thick shell, using lapped (lap welded) patch plate of 1/8” thick
was carried out, without informing the Owner. Such a repair is not acceptable as
per API standard 653, because:

a. Owner had not specified use of patch plate repairs

b. Lap patch plate of less than 3/16” is not permitted
c. Lap patch plate repair on shell thickness more than above ½” is not
permitted
d. All of above

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20. As per API Standard 650, the offset between vertical seams of adjacent shells
shall be a minimum distance of:

a. 5 t, where „t‟ is the plate thickness of thicker shell course at the offset
b. 4t, where „t‟ is the plate thickness of thicker shell course at the offset
c. 3 t, where „t‟ is the plate thickness of thicker shell course at the offset
d. 2 t, where „t‟ is the plate thickness of thicker shell course at the offset

21. When butt welded annular bottom plates are used, in an AST built to API
Standard 650, their width from inside of the shell shall be at least:

a. 900 mm
b. 300 mm
c. 600 mm
d. None of the above

22. Misalignment in a completed 20 mm thick vertical seam of an AST built to

API Standard 650 shall be more than:

a. 2 mm
b. 1.5 mm
c. 0.8 mm
d. 3 mm

23. Out of roundness measured as deviation from radius measured 1 foot above
the bottom corner weld of a 250 ft diameter AST built to API Standard 650,
shall not exceed:

a. 1” (25 mm)
b. ½ “ (12.7 mm)
c. ¾” (19 mm)
d. 1-1/4” (32 mm)

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24. Local deviations from theoretical shape of an aboveground storage tank (AST),
built to API Standard 650, specifically “Peaking” at vertical joints or “Banding” at
horizontal weld joints as measured over an appropriate sweepboard of 36” shall not
exceed:

a. 19 mm (3/4”)
b. 13 mm (1/2”)
c. 16 mm (5/8”)
d. 1/8 mm (3”)

25. An AST has remaining corrosion allowance of 3.2 mm. The known rate of
corrosion of shell is 200 microns per year. As per API Standard 653, when should
the external visual inspection by an Authorized Inspector shall be carried out at an
interval not exceeding:

a. 5 years
b. 8 years
c. 4 years
d. 15 years

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15-20 May 2004

Dammam, Saudi Arabia

API 653 PREPARATORY COURSE

Final Exam – Open Book
Answer Key

1 B 26 ----------------------------------
2 A 27
3 C 28
4 B 29
5 D 30
6 D 31
7 D 32
8 C 33
9 D 34
10 C 35
11 B 36
12 D 37
13 D 38
14 B 39
15 B 40
16 B 41
17 C 42
18 B 43
19 D
20 A
21 C
22 A
23 A
24 B
25 C

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