5-78 API STANDARD 650

b) For examples of acceptable details, see Process Industry Practices standard details PIP STF05501, PIP
STF05520, and PIP STF05521 (see www.pip.org).

c) Unless declined on the Data Sheet, Line 24, a roof edge landing or gauger’s platform shall be provided at the top
of all tanks.

Table 5.17—Requirements for Platforms and Walkways

1. All parts shall be made of metal.

2. The minimum width of the walkway shall be 610 mm (24 in.), after making adjustments at all projections.

3. Flooring shall be made of grating or nonslip material.

4. The height of the top railing above the floor shall be 1070 mm (42 in.).a

5. The minimum height of the toeboard shall be 75 mm (3 in.).

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6. The maximum space between the top of the floor and the bottom of the toeboard shall be 6 mm (1/4 in.).

7. The height of the midrail shall be approximately one-half the distance from the top of the walkway to the top of the railing.

8. The maximum distance between railing posts shall be 2400 mm (96 in.).

The completed structure shall be capable of supporting a moving concentrated load of 4450 N (1000 lbf), and the
9. handrail structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of 900 N (200 lbf) applied in any direction at any point on the
top rail.

10. Handrails shall be on both sides of the platform but shall be discontinued where necessary for access.

11. At handrail openings, any space wider than 150 mm (6 in.) between the tank and the platform should be floored.

A tank runway that extends from one part of a tank to any part of an adjacent tank, to the ground, or to another structure
shall be supported so that free relative movement of the structures joined by the runway is permitted. This may be
12. accomplished by firm attachment of the runway to one tank and the use of a slip joint at the point of contact between the
runway and the other tank. (This method permits either tank to settle or be disrupted by an explosion without the other
tank being endangered.
a This handrail height is required by OSHA specifications.

5.8.11 Other Appurtenances and Attachments

5.8.11.1 Floating suction lines shall be provided when specified on the Data Sheet, Table 4. Floating suction lines
using rigid articulated (having one or more swing joints) pipe shall be designed to travel in a vertical plane and prevent
damage to the floating roof and the suction line through its design range of travel. These lines shall be designed so
that the vertical plane is as close as possible to, and in no case greater than 10 degrees off, a radial line from the tank
centerline to the nozzle. Adjustments shall be made to clear internal structures.

● 5.8.11.2 Inlet diffusers shall be provided when specified by the Purchaser or the floating roof manufacturer.
Traditional diffuser sizing to limit exit velocity to 3 ft/sec provides protection for tank internal components and reduces
static electricity build up due to splashing and misting however does not limit static electricity build up in tanks due to
higher velocity product flow in external inlet and outlet piping. See API 2003. Requirements shall be included in the
Data Sheet (Table 4 or Table 5).

● 5.8.11.3 If required by the Purchaser, grounding lugs shall be provided in the quantity specified on the Data Sheet,
Table 4, and comply with Figure 5.23. The lugs shall be equally spaced around the base of the tank. Provide a
minimum of four lugs. The suggested maximum lug spacing is 30 m (100 ft).

NOTE Tanks that rest directly on a foundation of soil, asphalt or concrete are inherently grounded for purposes of dissipation of
electrostatic charges. The addition of grounding rods or similar devices will not reduce the hazard associated with electrostatic
charges in the stored product. API Recommended Practice 2003 contains additional information about tank grounding issues as
well as comments about lightning protection.

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