Storage and sphere tanks

The large volume of the interior of storage tanks consumes a lot of scaffolding for getting access to only the roof, wall surface or to some pipes and nozzles. Our Tank Inspection Construction (TIC) is the best developed access construction for the interior of large holding tanks. The TIC provides access for inspection and maintenance works in only a fraction of the time consumed otherwise by traditional scaffolding and has proven itself countless times in all parts of the world. All safety aspects are incorporated and third party staff can get access to the tank interior as well. The extreme short, often as fast as three days, erection time shows clearly what saving the TIC can bring.

A. Storage tank inspection and maintenance

The main goal of inspection is to obtain relevant information about the present condition of steel, concrete, coating and other parts, as a result of weather conditions, fatigue of metals and other influences that effect the maintenance condition of the tank, and the expected developments in maintenance condition.

FG International Holland BV applies a.o. NDO-techniques for inspections, with video techniques as most important tool. Some examples of inspection techniques are endoscopic inspection, MPI, thickness measurement of coatings, concrete quality inspection and ultrasonic thickness measurements.

After every inspection a written report will be made up, supported with video images and photographs.

Often, storage tanks are objects of which parts that need to be inspected are problematic to reach, because of the large dimensions of the tank. By using special techniques, a complete storage tank will be within easy reach, both internally and externally. Because of the working method, FG International Holland BV provides a complete and efficient inspection of your storage tank.

The inspection and maintenance of the tank is actually an easy job, thanks to our techniques. All necessary maintenance can be carried out from the applied construction, thanks to which the roof, the sides and the floor of the tank are within easy reach.

The application of video techniques, of which the images are visualised in full color inside an inspection cabin, supports the activities of FG International Holland BV. This enables you, as employer, to view the activities on-line and, if so wished, to give instructions.

B. Sphere inspections

Conventional method: by scaffolding:

Conventionally, to inspect a sphere tank internally and externally, scaffolding has to be erected for access. Due to the curved surfaces, erection is both time consuming and very difficult. For a 20m-diameter tank, the scaffolding would normally take 10 days to erect and another 4 days to dismantle. Besides this, adjustments to the scaffolding during the course of inspection are also a frequent occurrence as the scaffold pole may stand directly on a weld seam that needs to be inspected.

FG method:

FG developed an innovative method for the inspection of a sphere tank. Access to the external surface is done by rope abseiling, internal access is realised by the FG Sphere Frame ®. In no more than 2 days the FG Sphere Frame is erected, and is dismantled in just 1 day, thus saving 10 days on scaffolding erection. The FG Sphere Frame is a plane structure that can rotate inside the sphere about the vertical axis, thereby allowing all surfaces to be accessed. The inspector easily executes rotation inside the sphere by raising the structure 10mm by means of a block and tackle, after which he only needs to push his hands against the shell. On reaching the spot he wants, he just lets the structure rest on its rollers by lowering it. A full inspection can be completed within 16 days. All gritblasting, inspection, painting and erection will be co-ordinated by FG trained personnel, so that minimal time is wasted on liaison between different parties. Not to mention the savings on scaffolding costs internally and externally .

Internal and external inspections:

Through the application of the special construction inside the tank, the complete inside of the tank becomes accessible for inspection and maintenance. The application of the FG Tank Inspection Construction (FG TIC) makes scaffolding superfluous. All activities can be executed from this construction, which can be made accessible for third party personnel, for specialized welding and cutting.

By applying rope access abseiling techniques, the entire external surface of the tank can be reached for inspection and maintenance. Again, scaffolding and cranes are superfluous. The examination of pipes, coating and other attachments is easy because of this technique.