API STD 2015:2001 pdf download.Requirements for Safe Entry and Cleaning of Petroleum Storage Tanks
1.1 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
This standard is applicable to cleaning stationary atmo- spheric and low-pressure (up to and including 15 psig) above- ground petroleum storage tanks used in all sectors of the petroleum and petrochemical industry, including crude oil and gas production, refineries, petrochemical plants, bulk plants and terminals. This standard provides requirements for safely planning, coordinating and conducting tank cleaning operations from decommissioning (removal from service) through recommissioning (return to service) tanks that have contained flammable or combustible liquids or petroleum related toxic materials. This standard does not and cannot cover every possible unique hazard or situation that may arise during tank cleaning operations. These site specific, product specific and tank specific hazards and situations must be addressed by employers (owner/operators or contractors) using the appropriate principles and considerations provided for by this standard. The ANSI/API Recommended Practice 2016, Guidelines and Procedures for Entering and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks , provides supplemental information applicable to the requirements of this standard.
1.4 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the requirements contained in this standard, employers (owners/operators and contractors) shall refer to applicable federal, state and local government regulations pertinent to specific tank cleaning activities, including regula- tions of governments other than those of the United States, when appropriate. This standard is intended to be consistent with Title 29 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations , Occu- pational Safety and Health Administration Standards , Part 1910, “General Industry,” and Part 1926, “Construction.” This standard is intended to be consistent with appropriate National Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards applicable to the entry and cleaning of aboveground petro- leum storage tanks. If any provision of this standard conflicts with statutory or regulatory requirements, said statutes and regulations shall govern. This standard is not intended to function as a substitute for applicable regulations, codes, standards or employer (owner/operator and contractor) safe (cold) work and hot work practices and procedures, all of which must be reviewed in their entirety to determine their applicability to the facility, its location, the tanks involved and the proposed work.
1.5 TANK CLEANING OVERVIEW
There are a number of basic activities applicable to every tank that is to be cleaned. These activities include, but are not limited to, confined space classification; decommissioning; product, sludge and residue removal; isolation; vapor and gas freeing, degassing and ventilation; entry; tank cleaning; atmo- spheric testing; inspection; rescue; hot and safe (cold) work operations; and recommissioning. Many of these activities are covered by existing employer programs and procedures such as Confined Space; Energy Isolation; Hot Work and Safe Work; Hazard Communications; Operations, Maintenance and Inspection; Respiratory Protection and Process Safety Hazard Analysis. ANSI/API Recommended Practice 2016, Guidelines and Procedures for Entering and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks , is intended to assist employers (owners/operators and contractors) in developing plans and conducting safe tank cleaning operations in accordance with the requirements of this standard, by providing supplementary information cover- ing the following elements.