What is a Scrape a Scratch and a Dent?
Recently a tanker was involved in an incident where the tank shell impacted a stationary object that dented and gouged scratches along the tank for approximately a metre in length. The damage was in an area of the tank that included an internal compartment baffle.
After some time of continued use, the tank shell that was stressed by the original damage, failed at a joint line between the compartment baffle and the tank shell, causing product to leak from the tanker.
SLP recommends that any time a tanker is damaged, dented, scratched, no matter how small the damage may seem, that you seek advice immediately from the original manufacturer of the tanker where possible! Before using the tanker.
Below is some great advice drawn from the NSW EPA DG tank vehicle inspection manual. V3.0 – November 2023. Section 3.7. External tank inspection.
Tanker Shell Impact damage
Damage from impact including scratches must be referred to a tank vehicle manufacturer for expert advice on whether or not a repair is required, and how that repair should be carried out, preferably advice should be sort from the original manufacturer of the tank or tanker.
What is a Dent?
Deformations of the tank shell that:
- crosses a compartment baffle, stiffening ring or end shell,
- show stretching or thinning of the shell material.
- have creases at the ends of the dent, or
- show any signs of damage to, or impact on, barrel welds.
(remember a dent in the tanker shell will alter the compartment capacity and calibration)
What is a Scratch?
Deep scratches are where the depth of the scratch is greater than 1 millimetre below the tank shell surface. If the scratch is more than 1 millimetre it must be referred to a tank vehicle manufacturer for expert advice on how that repair should be carried out, preferably advice should be sort from the original manufacture of the tank or tanker. If the original manufacture is not available, then advice should sort from an experienced road tanker engineer/repairer.
What’s a Scrape, and a Crease.
Damage to the tank skin that has removed more than 1 millimetre of material is considered at high risk of future failure. Dents that include a crease are unacceptable and create a weak point of high stress in the tank shell. There is a high risk of cracks developing at the ends of a crease.
An internal inspection of the damaged area may be needed to determine whether there is further unidentified damage.
