Is Code 803

IS : 803 - 1976
((Reaffirmed
Reaffirmed2001)
2006 )
Edition 2.1
(1984-11)
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR DESIGN,
FABRICATION AND ERECTION OF VERTICAL
MILD STEEL CYLINDRICAL WELDED
OIL STORAGE TANKS
( First Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)
UDC 621.642.3 [669.141.24] : 665.5
© BIS 2003
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
Price Group 14

IS : 803 - 1976
Indian Standard
OIL STORAGE TANKS
( First Revision )
Structural Engineering Sectional Committee, SMBDC 7
Chairman Representing
DIRECTOR STANDARDS (CIVIL) Ministry of Railways
Members
SHRI L. N. A GRAWAL Industrial Fasteners Association of India, Calcutta
SHRI M. M. M URARKA ( Alternate )
SHRI A. K. B ANERJEE Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants (India)
Ltd, Ranchi
SHRI S. S ANKARAN ( Alternate )
SHRI P. C. B HASIN Ministry of Shipping & Transport [Department of
Transport (Roads Wing)]
SHRI A. S. B ISHNOI ( Alternate )
SHRI V. S. B HIDE Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (G ATES &
DESIGN) ( Alternate )
DR P. N. C HATTERJEE Government of West Bengal
DR P. K. D AS Central Mechanical Engineering Research
Institute (CSIR), Durgapur
DR P. D AYARATNAM Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
DEPUTY CITY ENGINEER (PLANNING Bombay Municipal Corporation
& DESIGN)
SHRI G. F. K HAMBATTI ( Alternate )
SHRI D. S. D ESAI M. N. Dastur & Co Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
DIRECTOR (MERI) Irrigation & Power Department, Government of
Maharashtra
RESEARCH OFFICER ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR (TCD) Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi
SHRI P. V. N. I YENGER ( Alternate )
E XECUTIVE ENGINEER (CENTRAL Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
STORES DN NO. II)
( Continued on page 2 )
© BIS 2003
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act (XIV of 1957) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS : 803 - 1976
( Continued from page 1 )
Members Representing
SHRI M. M. GHOSH Stewarts & Lloyds of India Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI S. C. GHOSH ( Alternate )
SHRI A. G. G ONSALVES Bridge & Roof Co (India) Ltd, Howrah
SHRI S. S. B OSE ( Alternate )
SHRI G. S. I YER The Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. M. G ULATEE ( Alternate )
DR O. P. J AIN Institution of Engineers (India), Calcutta
JOINT DIRECTOR STANDARDS (B & S)Ministry of Railways
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (B & S) ( Alternate )
SHRI OM K HOSLA Electrical Manufacturing Co Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI S. N. SINGH ( Alternate )
PROF K. D. M AHAJAN Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
PROF B. V. R AMASWAMY ( Alternate )
SHRI P. K. M ALLICK Jessop & Co Ltd, Calcutta
DR S. K. M ALLICK Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
SHRI N. V. M ANAY Mantons (Bangalore) Pvt Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI G. C. M ATHUR National Buildings Organisation, New Delhi
SHRI K. S. S RINIVASAN ( Alternate )
SHRI A. K. M ITRA Hindustan Steel Ltd, Durgapur
SHRI P. K. M UKHERJEE Braithwaite & Co (India) Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI P. T. P ATEL ( Alternate )
SHRI R. N ARAYANAN Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR),
Roorkee
SHRI T. N. SUBBA R AO Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi
DR D. JHONSON V ICTOR ( Alternate )
REPRESENTATIVE Burn & Co Ltd, Howrah
SHRI A. P. K AYAL ( Alternate )
REPRESENTATIVE Public Works Department, Government of West
Bengal, Calcutta
REPRESENTATIVE Richardson & Cruddas Ltd, Bombay
SHRI P. V. N AIK ( Alternate )
PROF P. K. S OM Jadavpur University, Calcutta
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Government of Tamil Nadu
(PLANNING & DESIGN CIRCLE)
E XECUTIVE ENGINEER (BUILD-
ING CENTRE DIVISION) ( Alternate )
SHRI M. D. T AMBEKAR Bombay Port Trust, Bombay
SHRI K. V EERARAGHVACHARY Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Tiruchirapalli
SHRI S. N. V OHRA Inspection Wing, Directorate General of Supplies &
Disposals (Ministry of Industry & Civil
Supplies)
SHRI S. N. B ASU ( Alternate )
SHRI L. D. W ADHWA Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI B. B. N AG ( Alternate )
SHRI C. R. R AMA R AO, Director General, ISI ( Ex-officio Member )
Director (Struc & Met)
Secretary
SHRI S. S. SETHI
Assistant Director (Struc & Met), ISI
( Continued on page 3 )
2

IS : 803 - 1976
( Continued from page 2 )
Panel for Mild Steel Tanks for Storage of Oils and Design
and Construction of Floating Roofs of Open Tanks for
Oil Storage, SMBDC 7/P-1
Members Representing
SHRI S. K. H AZRA Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI A. S. M ANGAT ( Alternate )
SHRI V. J AMBUNATHAN Indian Refineries Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI C. O. K ESWANI Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Bombay
SHRI V. H. K HAKHAR Caltex (India) Ltd, Bombay
SHRI M. B ALAKRISHNA ( Alternate )
SHRI R. V. R AGHAVAN Vijay Tanks & Vessels Pvt Ltd, Bombay
SHRI T. K. R AMANATHAN Triveni Structurals Ltd, Allahabad
SHRI V. R. K. M URTHY ( Alternate )
SHRI A. P. R AO Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd, Visakhapatnam
SHRI V. S. P RASADA R AO ( Alternate )
SHRI M. R AMA R AO Indian Oil Corporation, Bombay
SHRI S. K. S ANGAR ( Alternate )
SHRI P. C. S ILAICHIA Bharat Refineries Ltd, Bombay
SHRI K. S. S UBBANA ( Alternate )
3

IS : 803 - 1976
CONTENTS
PAGE
0. FOREWORD 6
1. SCOPE 7
2. DEFINITIONS AND S YMBOLS 7
3. GENERAL 10
4. M ATERIALS 10
5. PERMISSIBLE STRESSES 16
6. DESIGN 16
6.1 Foundation 17
6.2 Design of Bottom Plates 17
6.3 Design of Shell Plates 22
6.4 Designs of Roof 36
6.5 Floating Roof 39
7. A PPURTENANCES AND MOUNTINGS 39
8. SHOP F ABRICATION AND INSPECTION 49
9. SITE ERECTION 60
10. SITE WELDING 63
11. R ADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION OF SHELL JOINTS 65
12. TESTING OF T ANKS 69
12.1 Bottom Testing 69
12.2 Shell Testing 70
12.3 Fixed Roof Testing 70
12.4 Repair of Leaks 70
A PPENDIX A INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY PURCHASER 76
A PPENDIX B A LTERNATE DESIGN FOR T ANK SHELLS 77
A PPENDIX C V ENT SIZING FOR A TMOSPHERIC AND LOW PRESSURE
T ANKS 82
A PPENDIX D FLOATING ROOFS 88
T ABLES 1-3 NOMINAL C APACITIES OF T YPICAL T ANKS 11a-12a
T ABLES 4-6 MINIMUM C ALCULATED SHELL PLATE THICKNESS
FOR T YPICAL T ANKS 12b-13b
T ABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS 32-35
T ABLE 8 SHELL M ANHOLE COVER PLATE AND BOLTING
FLANGE THICKNESS 45
T ABLE 9 SHELL M ANHOLE DIMENSIONAL D ATA 46
T ABLE 10 SHELL NOZZLES DIMENSIONAL D ATA 50-51
T ABLE 11 ROOF M ANHOLES 51
T ABLE 12 ROOF NOZZLES 52
4

IS : 803 - 1976
PAGE
T ABLE 13 DETAIL OF DRAIN P AD FOR ELEVATED T ANKS 54
T ABLE 14 FLUSH T YPE CLEANOUT FITTINGS 55
T ABLE 15 THICKNESS OF COVER PLATE, BOLTING FLANGE AND
REINFORCING PLATE FOR FLUSH T YPE CLEANOUT
FITTINGS 56
T ABLE 16 THICKNESS AND HEIGHT OF SHELL REINFORCING
PLATE FOR CLEANOUT FITTINGS 56
T ABLE 17 M AXIMUM PERMISSIBLE POROSITY INDICATIONS IN
R ADIOGRAPHS PER 150 mm LENGTH OF WELD 69
T ABLE 18 THERMAL V ENTING C APACITY REQUIREMENTS 86
T ABLE 19 TOTAL R ATE OF EMERGENCY V ENTING REQUIRED FOR
FIRE E XPOSURE V ERSUS WETTED SURFACE A REA 87
FIGURE 1 T YPICAL FIXED ROOF T ANK SHOWING STANDARD
A PPURTENANCES 8
FIGURE 2 T YPICAL O PEN TOP T ANK WITH FLOATING ROOF —
SECTIONAL V IEW 9
FIGURE 3 T YPICAL FOUNDATIONS 18
FIGURE 4 T YPICAL L AYOUT OF T ANK BOTTOM 19
FIGURE 5 BOTTOM PLATE A RRANGEMENT UNDER T ANK SHELL 20
FIGURE 6 T YPICAL HORIZONTAL AND V ERTICAL JOINTS 25
FIGURE 7 T YPICAL ROOF JOINTS 26
FIGURE 8 SOME PERMISSIBLE DETAILS OF COMPRESSION RINGS 28
FIGURE 9 RECOMMENDED L AYOUT OF COLUMNS FOR NORMAL
SIZE T ANKS 40
FIGURE 10 T YPICAL COLUMN AND GIRDER A TTACHMENT
DETAILS 41
FIGURE 11 T YPICAL SHELL M ANHOLES 44
FIGURE 12 T YPICAL SHELL NOZZLES 47
FIGURE 13 SHELL NOZZLE FLANGES 49
FIGURE 14 T YPICAL ROOF M ANHOLE 52
FIGURE 15 T YPICAL ROOF NOZZLES 53
FIGURE 16 T YPICAL W ATER DRAW-OFF SUMP 54
FIGURE 17 T YPICAL DRAIN P AD FOR ELEVATED T ANKS 55
FIGURE 18 T YPICAL FLUSH T YPE CLEANOUT FITTINGS 57
FIGURE 19 T YPICAL G AUGE-WELL INSTALLATION ON E XISTING
NOZZLE OF CONE ROOF T ANKS 58
FIGURES 20-23 R ADIOGRAPHIC POROSITY STANDARDS 71-74
FIGURE 24 DETAIL OF T YPICAL V
ACUUM BOX 75
FIGURE 25 INSERT T YPE REINFORCEMENT FOR M ANHOLES AND
NOZZLES 80
5

IS : 803 - 1976
Indian Standard
OIL STORAGE TANKS
( First Revision )
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 27 September 1976, after the draft finalized by
the Structural Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved by
the Structural and Metals Division Council and Civil Engineering
Division Council.
0.2 This code has been prepared with a view to providing the petroleum
industry with tanks of adequate safety and reasonable economy which
can be built in any size required to meet the needs of the industry subject
to limitations given in the code and also to establishing uniform practice
for design, fabrication, erection, testing and inspection of oil storage
tanks.
0.3 This code does not present nor it is contemplated to establish, a fixed
series of allowable tank sizes; but it is intended to promote the selection
by the purchaser, of the size of tank that may be required to meet his
particular need.
0.4 This standard was first published in 1962. The following
modifications have been made in this revision:
a) The use of steel conforming to IS : 226-1975*, IS : 2002-1962†,
IS : 2041-1962‡ and IS : 961-1975§ has been permitted in addition to
steel conforming to IS : 2062-1969|| .
b) Provisions regarding design of various members of the tank have
been elaborated, an appendix dealing with the alternate design for
tank shell has been included.
c) Provisions regarding radiographic inspection of shell joints have
been made.
d) An appendix dealing with the normal and emergency venting
requirements of the tanks has been added.
*Specification for structural steel (standard quality) ( fifth revision ).
†Specification for steel plates for boilers.
‡Specification for steel plates for pressure vessels.
§Specification for structural steel (high tensile) ( second revision ).
|| Specification for structural steel (fusion welding quality) ( first revision ).
6

IS : 803 - 1976
e) An appendix furnishing the design and construction requirements of

pontoon type, double deck type floating roof tanks has also been
included in this code.
0.5 This edition 2.1 incorporates Amendment No. 1 (November 1984).
Side bar indicates modification of the text as the result of incorporation of
the amendment.
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
code is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should
be the same as that of the specified value in this code.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This code covers materials, design, fabrication, erection and testing
requirements for mild steel cylindrical welded oil storage tanks in various
sizes and capacities, for erection above ground, of the following designs:
a) Fixed roof tanks ( see Fig. 1 ) having no internal pressure or nominal
internal pressure where the resultant upward force does not exceed
the nominal weight of metal in tank shell, roof and any framing
supported by the shell or roof; and
b) Open top tanks ( see Fig. 2 ).
1.1.1 This code specifies the use of only butt welded shells and includes
reference to appurtenances and mountings.
1.2 This code is complementary to IS : 800-1962† and IS : 816-1969‡.
Provisions regarding permissible stresses, design, fabrication and
erection as included in IS : 800-1962† shall apply unless specified
otherwise in this code.
1.3 This code is intended to guide both purchasers and manufacturers of
petroleum products storage tanks. Provisions of this code may also be
applied to design and construct tanks for storage of water, acids and
chemicals. In such cases, special considerations regarding lining,
corrosion allowance and foundation shall be made while designing the
tanks for the intended service.
2. DEFINITIONS AND SYMBOLS
2.1 For the purpose of this code, the definitions for welding terms
employed in this standard shall be according to IS : 812-1957§.
2.2 Symbols for welding used on plans and drawings shall be according to
IS : 813-1961|| .
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

†Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction ( revised ).
‡Code of practice for use of metal arc welding for general construction in mild steel
( first revision ).
§Glossary of terms relating to welding and cutting of metals.
|| Scheme of symbols for welding ( amended ).
7

I
S
:
8
0
3
-
1
9
7
6
8
FIG. 1 T YPICAL FIX ED ROOF T ANK SHOWING STANDARD A PPURTENANCES

9
I
S
:
8
0
3
-
1
9
FIG. 2 T YPICAL OPEN TOP T ANK WITH FLOATING ROOF — SECTIONAL V IEW 7
6

IS : 803 - 1976
3. GENERAL
3.1 Tanks may be manufactured from suitable sizes of plates which have
been covered in IS : 1730 (Part I)-1975*.
3.2 Tables 1 to 6 ( see P 11 to 13 ) present for ready reference, typical data
in regard to nominal sizes, nominal capacities and shell plate thicknesses
for tanks which may be built in accordance with this code.
3.3 Enquiries or Order Form — With a view to facilitating the
manufacture and supply of welded oil storage tanks, certain detailed
information is to be supplied to the manufacturer. The information so
required is listed in Appendix A.
4. MATERIALS
4.0 General — Unless mutually agreed otherwise, the material for the
construction of oil storage tanks shall conform to Indian Standards where
applicable.
4.1 Plates — Plates used in tank construction shall conform to any one of
the following specifications:
IS : 226-1975 Structural steel (standard quality) ( fifth revision )
(For up to 20 mm thickness. Thicker plates may be used provided
the manufacturer establishes appropriate welding procedures
recommended in IS : 823-1964† to the satisfaction of the purchaser)
IS : 961-1975 Structural steel (high tensile) ( second revision )
IS : 2002-1962 Steel plates for boilers (Grade 2B)
IS : 2041-1962 Steel plates for pressure vessels
IS : 2062-1969 Structural steel (fusion welding quality) ( first revision )
4.1.1 Plates for use in the manufacture of tanks shall be on thickness
basis which are determined by design computations. Shell plates, for
which minimum thicknesses are fixed in 6.3.3 for practical reasons and
which will not underrun the theoretical required thickness by more than
the minus tolerance specified in 1852-1973‡ and roof and bottom plates
may be specified on weight basis. The plate thicknesses as stipulated in
this standard are minimum; thicker or heavier material may be required
depending on the nature of stored product, and the environment where
the tank is located.
4.1.2 Steel conforming to IS : 1977-1975§ may also be used in tank
construction subject to limitations under 0.3 of that specification.
*Dimensions for steel plate, sheet and strip for structural and general engineering
purposes: Part I Plate ( first revision ).
†Code of procedure for manual metal arc welding of mild steel.
‡Specification for rolling and cutting tolerances for hot-rolled steel products ( second
revision ).
§Specification for structural steel (ordinary quality) ( second revision ).
10

TABLE 1 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 1.5 m

( Clause 3.2 )
T ANK DIAMETER, m 3.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22 24 26 28 30 32
T ANK HEIGHT, m NOMINAL C APACITY , kl
1.5 10 23 29 42 66 95 117 169 230 301 381 471 569 678 795 923 1 059 1 205
3.0 21 47 58 84 132 190 235 339 461 602 763 942 1 139 1 356 1 591 1 846 2 119 2 411
4.5 31 71 88 127 198 286 353 508 692 904 1 144 1 413 1 709 2 034 2 387 2 769 3 179 3 617
6.0 42 95 117 169 264 381 471 678 923 1 205 1 526 1 884 2 279 2 712 3 183 3 692 4 239 4 823
7.5 52 119 147 211 331 476 588 847 1 153 1 507 1 907 2 355 2 849 3 391 3 979 4 615 5 298 6 028
9.0 63 143 176 254 397 572 706 1 017 1 384 1 808 2 289 2 826 3 419 4 069 4 775 5 538 6 358 7 234
10.5 74 166 206 296 463 667 824 1 186 1 615 2 110 2 670 3 297 3 989 4 747 5 571 6 462 7 418 8 440
12.0 84 190 235 339 529 763 942 1 356 1 846 2 411 3 052 3 768 4 559 5 425 6 367 7 385 8 478 9 646
13.5 95 214 264 381 596 858 1 059 1 526 2 077 2 712 3 433 4 239 5 129 6 104 7 163 8 308 9 537 10 851
15.0 105 238 294 423 662 953 1 177 1 695 2 307 3 014 3 815 4 710 5 699 6 782 7 959 9 231 10 597 12 057
16.5 116 262 323 466 728 1 049 1 295 1 865 2 538 3 315 4 196 5 181 6 269 7 460 8 755 10 154 11 657 13 263
18.0 127 286 353 508 7 948 1 144 1 413 2 034 2 769 3 617 4 578 5 652 6 838 8 138 9 551 11 077 12 717 14 469
1 ( Continued )
1
a
TABLE 1 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 1.5 m — Contd
T ANK DIAMETER, m 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82
1.5 1 361 1 526 1 700 1 884 2 077 2 279 2 491 2 712 2 943 3 433 3 961 4 526 5 129 5 769 6 447 7 163 7 917
3.0 2 722 3 052 3 400 3 768 4 154 4 559 4 983 5 425 5 887 6 867 7 922 9 052 10 258 11 539 12 895 14 327 15 835
4.5 4 083 4 578 5 100 5 652 6 231 6 838 7 474 8 138 8 831 10 300 11 883 13 578 15 387 17 309 19 343 21 491 23 752
6.0 5 444 6 104 6 801 7 536 8 308 9 118 9 966 10 851 11 775 13 734 15 844 18 105 20 516 23 079 25 791 28 655 31 670
7.5 6 805 7 630 8 501 9 420 10 385 11 398 12 457 13 564 14 718 17 167 19 805 22 631 25 645 28 848 32 239 35 819 39 587
9.0 8 167 9 156 10 201 11 304 12 462 13 677 14 949 16 277 17 662 20 601 23 766 27 157 30 775 34 618 38 687 42 983 47 505 I
S
10.5 9 528 10 682 11 902 13 188 14 539 15 957 17 441 18 990 20 606 24 035 27 727 31 684 35 904 40 388 45 135 50 147 55 422
:
12.0 10 889 12 208 13 602 15 072 16 616 18 237 19 932 21 703 23 550 27 468 31 688 36 210 41 033 46 158 51 583 57 311 63 340 8
13.5 12 250 13 734 15 302 16 956 18 693 20 516 22 424 24 416 26 493 30 902 35 649 40 736 46 162 51 927 58 031 64 475 71 257 0
3
15.0 13 611 15 260 17 003 18 840 20 771 22 796 24 915 27 129 29 437 34 335 39 611 45 263 51 291 57 697 64 479 71 639 79 175 -
16.5 14 973 16 786 18 703 20 724 22 848 25 076 27 407 29 842 32 381 37 769 43 572 49 789 56 421 63 467 70 927 78 803 87 092 1
9
18.0 16 334 18 312 20 403 22 608 24 925 27 355 29 899 32 555 35 325 41 203 47 533 54 315 61 550 69 237 77 375 85 966 95 010 7
6

TABLE 3 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 2.0 m

( Clause 3.2 )
T ANK DIAMETER, m 3.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22.0 24.0 26.0 28.0 30.0 32.0
2 14 31 39 56 88 127 157 226 307 402 508 628 760 904 1 089 1 231 1 413 1 608
4 28 63 78 113 176 254 314 452 615 804 1 017 1 256 1 520 1 059 2 123 2 463 2 827 3 217
6 42 95 117 169 265 381 471 678 923 1 206 1 526 1 884 2 280 2 714 3 185 3 694 4 241 4 825
8 56 127 157 226 353 508 628 904 1 231 1 608 2 035 2 513 3 041 3 619 4 247 4 956 5 654 6 434
10 70 159 196 282 441 636 785 1 130 1 539 2 010 2 544 3 141 3 801 4 523 5 309 6 157 7 068 8 042
12 84 190 235 339 530 763 942 1 357 1 847 2 412 3 053 3 769 4 561 5 428 6 371 7 389 8 482 9 650
14 98 222 274 395 618 890 1 099 1 583 2 155 2 814 3 562 4 398 5 321 6 333 7 433 8 620 9 896 11 259
16 113 254 314 452 706 1 017 1 256 1 809 2 463 3 216 4 071 5 026 6 082 7 238 8 494 9 852 11 309 12 867
18 127 286 353 508 795 1 145 1 413 2 035 2 770 3 619 4 580 5 654 6 842 8 143 9 556 11 083 12 723 14 476
20 141 318 392 565 883 1 272 1 570 2 261 3 078 4 021 5 089 6 283 7 602 9 047 10 618 12 315 14 137 16 084
22 155 349 431 622 971 1 399 1 727 2 488 3 386 4 423 5 598 6 911 8 362 9 952 11 680 13 546 15 550 17 693
( Continued )
1
2
a
TABLE 3 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 2.0 m — Contd
T ANK DIAMETER, m 34.0 36.0 38.0 40.0 42.0 44.0 46.0 48.0 50.0 54.0 58.0 62.0 66.0 70.0 74.0 78.0 82.0
2 1 815 2 035 2 268 2 513 2 770 3 041 3 323 3 619 3 927 4 580 5 284 6 038 6 842 7 696 8 601 9 556 10 562
4 3 631 4 071 4 536 5 026 5 541 6 082 6 647 7 238 7 854 9 160 10 568 12 076 13 684 15 393 17 203 19 113 21 124
6 5 447 6 107 6 804 7 539 8 312 9 123 9 971 10 857 11 781 13 741 15 852 18 114 20 572 23 090 25 805 28 670 31 686
8 7 263 8 143 9 072 11 053 11 083 12 164 13 295 14 476 15 707 18 321 21 136 24 152 27 369 30 787 34 406 38 226 42 248
10 9 079 10 178 11 341 12 566 13 854 15 205 16 619 18 095 19 634 22 902 26 420 30 190 34 211 38 484 43 008 47 783 52 810
12 10 895 12 214 13 609 15 079 16 625 18 246 19 842 21 714 23 561 27 482 31 704 36 228 41 054 46 181 51 610 57 340 63 372
14 12 710 14 250 15 877 17 592 19 396 21 287 23 266 25 333 27 488 32 063 36 989 42 267 47 896 53 878 60 211 66 897 73 934
I
16 14 526 16 286 18 145 20 106 22 167 24 328 26 590 28 952 31 415 36 643 42 273 48 305 54 739 61 575 68 813 76 453 84 496 S
18 16 342 18 321 20 414 22 619 24 937 27 369 29 914 32 572 35 342 41 224 47 575 54 343 61 581 69 272 77 415 86 010 95 058 :
8
20 18 158 20 357 22 682 25 132 27 708 30 410 33 239 36 191 39 269 45 804 52 841 60 381 68 423 76 969 86 016 95 520 105 620 0
22 19 974 22 393 24 950 27 646 30 479 33 451 36 561 39 810 43 196 50 384 58 125 66 419 75 266 84 665 94 618 105 124 116 182 3
-
1
9
7
6

I
S
TABLE 4 MINIMUM CALCULATED SHELL PLATE THICKNESS FOR TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 1.5 m
:
(Using plates conforming to IS : 226 or IS : 2062; E = 0.85 and sp gr = 1; excluding corrosion allowance) 8
( Clause 3.2 ) 0
3
T ANK DIAMETER, m 3.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22.0 24.0 26.0 28.0 30.0 32.0 -
1
T ANK HEIGHT, m PLATE THICKNESS, mm 9
7
6
1.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
3.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
4.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.4
7.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.1 6.6 7.1 7.6 8.1
9.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.1 6.7 7.3 7.9 8.5 9.1 9.7
10.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.4 7.1 7.9 8.6 9.3 10.0 10.7 11.4
12.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.7 6.6 7.4 8.2 9.0 9.8 10.7 11.5 12.3 13.1
13.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 6.5 7.4 8.3 9.2 10.2 11.1 12.0 12.9 13.9 14.8
15.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.1 6.2 7.2 8.2 9.3 10.3 11.3 12.4 13.4 14.4 15.4 16.5
16.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.1 5.7 6.8 7.9 9.1 10.2 11.3 12.5 13.6 14.7 15.9 17.0 18.2
18.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.6 6.2 7.4 8.7 9.9 11.2 12.4 13.6 14.9 16.1 17.4 18.6 19.8
1 ( Continued )
2
b
TABLE 4 MINIMUM CALCULATED SHELL PLATE THICKNESS FOR TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 1.5 m — Contd
(Using plates conforming to IS : 226 or IS : 2062; E = 0.85 and sp gr = 1; excluding corrosion allo wance)
T ANK DIAMETER, m 34.0 36.0 38.0 40.0 42.0 44.0 46.0 48.0 50.0 54.0 58.0 62.0 66.0 70.0 74.0 78.0 82.0
T ANK HEIGHT, m PLATE THICKNESS, mm
1.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
3.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.2 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.8
4.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.2 6.5 6.8 7.1 7.4 7.9 8.5 9.1 9.7 10.3 10.9 11.5 12.1
6.0 6.8 7.2 7.6 8.0 8.4 8.8 9.2 9.6 10.0 10.8 11.6 12.4 13.2 14.0 14.8 15.6 16.4
7.5 8.6 9.1 9.6 10.1 10.6 11.1 11.6 12.1 12.6 13.6 14.6 15.6 16.6 17.6 18.7 19.7 20.7
9.0 10.4 11.0 11.6 12.2 12.8 13.4 14.0 14.6 15.2 16.4 17.7 18.9 20.1 21.3 22.5 23.8 25.0
10.5 12.1 12.9 13.6 14.3 15.0 15.7 16.4 17.1 17.9 19.8 20.7 22.1 23.6 25.0 26.4 27.9 29.3
12.0 13.9 14.7 15.6 16.4 17.2 18.0 18.8 19.7 20.5 22.1 23.8 25.4 27.0 28.7 30.3 32.0 33.6
13.5 15.7 16.6 17.6 18.5 19.4 20.3 21.3 22.2 23.1 25.0 26.8 28.7 30.5 32.4 34.2 36.1 37.9
15.0 17.5 18.5 19.6 20.6 21.6 22.6 23.7 24.7 25.7 27.8 29.9 31.9 34.0 36.0 38.1 — —
16.5 18.3 20.4 21.6 22.7 23.8 25.0 26.1 27.2 28.4 30.6 32.9 35.2 37.4 39.7 — — —
18.0 21.1 22.3 23.6 24.8 26.0 27.3 28.5 29.7 31.0 33.5 35.8 38.4 — — — — —

(Using plates conforming to IS : 226 or IS : 2062; E = 0.85 and sp gr = 1; excluding corrosion allowance)
( Clause 3.2 )
T ANK DIAMETER, m 3.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22.0 24.0 26.0 28.0 30.0 32.0
1.8 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
3.6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
5.4 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
7.2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.3 6.8 7.2 7.7
9.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.1 6.7 7.3 7.9 8.5 9.1 9.7
10.8 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.1 6.0 6.6 7.4 8.1 8.8 9.6 10.3 11.0 11.8
12.6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.2 6.0 6.9 7.8 8.6 9.5 10.3 11.2 12.1 12.9 13.8
14.4 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.9 6.9 7.9 8.9 9.9 10.9 11.8 12.8 13.8 14.8 15.8
16.2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.6 6.7 7.8 8.9 10.0 11.1 12.2 13.4 14.5 15.6 16.7 17.8
18.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.6 6.2 7.4 8.7 9.9 11.1 12.4 13.6 14.9 16.1 17.4 18.6 19.8
19.8 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.1 6.1 6.8 8.2 9.6 10.9 12.3 13.7 15.0 16.4 17.8 19.1 20.5 21.8
21.6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.6 6.7 7.5 8.9 10.4 11.9 13.4 14.9 16.4 17.9 19.4 20.9 22.4 23.7
1
3 ( Continued )
a
T ANK DIAMETER, m 34.0 36.0 38.0 40.0 42.0 44.0 46.0 48.0 50.0 54.0 58.0 62.0 66.0 70.0 74.0 78.0 82.0
1.8 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
3.6 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.6 8.1 8.6 9.0 9.5
5.4 6.1 6.4 6.8 7.1 7.5 7.9 8.2 8.6 8.9 9.6 10.4 11.1 11.8 12.5 13.2 13.9 14.6
7.2 8.2 8.7 9.2 9.7 10.1 10.6 11.1 11.6 12.1 13.0 14.0 15.0 15.9 16.9 17.9 18.8 19.8
9.0 10.4 11.0 11.6 12.2 12.8 13.4 14.0 14.6 15.2 16.4 17.7 18.9 20.1 21.3 22.5 23.8 25.0
10.8 12.5 13.2 14.0 14.7 15.4 16.2 16.9 17.6 18.4 19.9 21.3 22.8 24.3 25.7 27.2 28.7 30.1 I
S
12.6 14.6 15.5 16.4 17.2 18.1 18.9 19.8 20.7 21.5 23.3 25.0 26.7 28.4 30.1 31.9 33.6 35.3 :
14.4 16.8 17.8 18.8 19.7 20.7 21.7 22.7 23.7 24.7 26.7 28.6 30.6 32.6 34.6 36.5 38.5 — 8
0
16.2 18.9 20.0 21.2 22.3 23.4 24.5 25.6 26.7 27.8 30.1 32.3 34.5 36.7 39.0 — — — 3
18.0 21.1 22.3 23.6 24.8 26.0 27.3 28.5 29.7 31.0 33.5 35.9 38.4 — — — — — -
19.8 23.2 24.6 25.9 27.3 28.7 30.0 31.4 32.8 34.1 36.9 39.6 — — — — — — 1
9
21.6 25.4 26.8 28.3 29.8 31.3 32.8 34.3 35.8 37.3 — — — — — — — — 7
6

I
S
:
(Using plates conforming to IS : 226 or IS : 2062; E = 0.85 and sp gr = 1; excluding corrosion allowance) 8
( Clause 3.2 ) 0
3
T ANK DIAMETER, m 3.0 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22.0 24.0 26.0 28.0 30.0 32.0 -
1
T ANK HEIGHT, m PLATE THICKNESS, mm 9
7
6
2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
4 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.4
8 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.1 8.6
10 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.1 6.8 7.5 8.2 8.8 9.5 10.2 10.9
12 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.7 6.6 7.4 8.2 9.0 9.8 10.7 11.5 12.3 13.1
14 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.8 6.7 7.7 8.6 9.6 10.0 11.5 12.5 13.4 14.4 15.6
16 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.5 6.6 7.7 8.8 9.9 11.0 12.1 13.2 14.3 15.4 16.5 17.6
18 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.6 6.2 7.4 8.7 9.9 11.2 12.4 13.6 14.9 16.1 17.4 18.6 19.8
20 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.2 6.2 6.9 8.3 9.7 11.0 12.4 13.8 15.2 16.6 17.9 19.0 20.7 22.1
22 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.7 6.8 7.6 9.1 10.6 12.2 13.7 15.2 16.7 18.2 19.8 21.3 22.8 24.3
( Continued )
1
3
b
( Clause 3.2 )
T ANK DIAMETER, m 34.0 36.0 38.0 40.0 42.0 44.0 46.0 48.0 50.0 54.0 58.0 62.0 66.0 70.0 74.0 78.0 82.0
2 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
4 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.2 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.6 9.1 9.6 10.1 10.6
6 6.8 7.2 7.8 8.0 8.4 8.8 9.2 9.6 10.0 10.8 11.6 12.4 13.2 14.0 14.8 15.6 16.4
8 9.2 9.7 10.2 10.8 11.3 11.9 12.4 12.9 13.5 14.6 15.6 16.7 17.8 18.9 20.0 21.0 22.1
10 11.5 12.2 12.9 13.6 14.3 14.9 15.6 16.3 17.0 18.3 19.7 21.1 22.4 23.8 25.1 26.5 27.9
12 13.9 14.7 15.6 16.4 17.2 18.0 18.8 19.7 20.5 22.1 23.8 25.4 27.0 28.7 30.3 32.0 33.6
14 16.3 17.3 18.2 19.2 20.1 21.1 22.1 23.0 24.0 25.9 27.8 29.7 31.7 33.6 35.5 37.4 39.3
16 18.7 19.8 20.9 22.0 23.1 24.2 25.3 26.4 27.5 29.7 31.9 34.1 36.3 38.5 — — —
18 21.1 22.3 23.6 24.8 26.0 27.3 28.5 29.7 31.0 33.5 35.9 38.4 — — — — —
20 23.5 24.8 26.2 27.6 29.0 30.4 31.7 33.1 34.5 37.2 — — — — — — —
22 25.8 27.4 28.9 30.4 31.9 33.4 35.0 36.5 38.0 — — — — — — — —

As in the Original Standard, this Page is Intentionally Left Blank

IS : 803 - 1976
4.1.3 Plate materials specified in 4.1 shall be used without impact testing

on tank shells and its reinforcements for design metal temperatures
greater than 10°C.
4.1.4 For temperature lower than 10°C and up to – 20°C, material listed
in 4.1 with the exception of structural steel, conforming to IS : 226-1975*,
shall be used, and shall demonstrate adequate notch toughness at the
design metal temperature. Each plate as-rolled shall be impact-tested at
the design metal temperature to show that the average of three charpy V-
notch full size specimens is a minimum of 39 N.m (4 kgf.m) (longitudinal)
or 25 N.m (2.5 kgf.m) (transverse).
4.2 Structural Sections — Dimensions of structural steel sections used
in tank construction shall conform to IS : 808-1964† and IS : 808 (Part I)-
1973‡.
4.3 Cast Steel Mountings — Cast steel mountings shall be suitable for
welding and shall conform to Grade 3 of IS : 1030-1974§.
4.4 Electrodes — Electrodes for metal arc welding shall conform to
IS : 814 (Part I)-1974|| and IS : 814 (Part II)-1974¶.
4.5 Piping — Unless specified otherwise, pipe and pipe couplings shall
conform to IS : 1978-1971**. By agreement between the purchaser and
the manufacturer, couplings for threaded connections may be supplied
without recesses. When so supplied, the couplings in all other respects
shall conform to IS : 1978-1971**. Pipe used for structural purposes shall
conform to IS : 1978-1971** and IS : 1979-1971†† with respect to physical
properties of the material. Pipes of heavy class conforming to IS : 1239
(Part II)-1969‡‡ may be used for nozzles on tank roofs and internal piping
subject to agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
4.6 Flanges — Plate ring flanges shall be made from any of the plate
materials listed in 4.1. Requirements of slip-on welding and welding neck
flanges are covered in IS : 6392-1971§§.

†Specification for rolled steel beam, channel and angle sections ( revised ).
‡Dimensions for hot rolled steel beams: Part I MB series ( second revision ).
§Specification for steel castings for general engineering purposes ( second revision ).
|| Specification for covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steels: Part I
For welding products other than sheets ( fourth revision ).
¶Specification for covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steels: Part
II For welding sheets ( fourth revision ).
**Specification for line pipe ( first revision ).
††Specification for high test line pipe ( first revision ).
‡‡Specification for mild steel tubes, tubulars and other wrought steel fittings: Part
II Mild steel tubulars and other wrought steel pipe fittings ( second revision ).
§§Specification for steel pipe flanges.
15

IS : 803 - 1976
4.7 Bolts and Nuts — Bolts shall conform to the requirements specified
in IS : 1367-1967* for black grade bolts of class 4.6 or 4.8. Nuts shall be of
black grade class 4. Screw threads shall conform to coarse series medium
class referred in IS : 1367-1967*.
4.8 Other materials used in association with steelwork shall, where
appropriate Indian Standard specifications for materials exist, conform to
such specifications.
5. PERMISSIBLE STRESSES
5.1 Maximum allowable working stresses shall not exceed the following.
5.1.1 In the design of tank shells, the maximum tensile stress before
applying the factor for joint efficiency shall be 165 N/mm2 (1 680 kgf/cm2)
in case of steel conforming to IS : 2062-1969† and IS : 226-1975‡. For
other grades of steels, maximum allowable stress shall be 0.7 of the
minimum yield stress of each grade or 0.4 of the minimum ultimate
tensile stress whichever is less.
5.1.2 Structural design stresses (not covered in 5.1.1) shall conform to the
allowable working stresses given in IS : 800-1962§. For this purpose steel
conforming to IS : 2002-1962|| (Grade 2B) and IS : 2041-1962¶ (Type 1)
should be treated as equivalent to IS : 226-1975‡ or IS : 2062-1969†
whereas Type 2 steel conforming to IS : 2041-1962¶ shall be treated
equivalent to IS : 961-1975**.
5.1.3 The above stresses are permissible for design temperatures of –10°C
to +200°C, provided that below +10°C only semikilled or killed steels are
used.
5.2 The permissible stresses for welds and welded connections shall
conform to the values given in IS : 816-1969††.
6. DESIGN
6.0 General — Internal pressure of tanks designed in accordance with the
rules and provisions made in this code shall not exceed the value given by:
*Technical supply conditions for threaded fasteners ( first revision ).

†Specification for structural steel (fusion welding quality) ( first revision ).
‡Specification for structural steel (standard quality) ( fifth revision ).
§Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction ( revised ).
|| Specification for steel plates for boilers.
¶Specification for steel plates for pressure vessels.
**Specification for structural steel (high tensile) ( second revision ).
††Code of practice for use of metal arc welding for general construction in mild steel
( first revision ).
16

IS : 803 - 1976
where
Pmax = internal pressure,
W = total weight of shell and structure supported by shell in N
(kgf),
D = diameter of tank in m, and
t = thickness of roof in mm.
6.1 Foundation — Tanks shall be built on good foundations. Details of
typical foundations normally adopted are shown in Fig. 3A and 3B
respectively for earth foundation and concrete ringwall foundation.
Where soil conditions are adverse, care should be taken to design the
foundations properly such that no subsidence takes place.
6.2 Design of Bottom Plates
6.2.1 Bottom plate, uniformly resting on the ground or supporting sub-
structure, shall conform to the following ( see Fig. 4 ):
a) All bottom plates shall have a minimum nominal thickness of 6 mm.
b) All rectangular plates shall preferably have a minimum width of
1 500 mm. All sketch plates (bottom plates upon which the shell
plate rests), which have one end rectangular shall also preferably
have a minimum width of 1 500 mm for the rectangular end.
c) Bottom plates shall be of sufficient size so that when welded, at least
a 25 mm width will project beyond the outside edge of the weld
attaching the bottom to the shell plate.
NOTE — Bottom of excavation should be level. Remove muck, vegetation and
unstable materials to whatever depth is necessary.
6.2.2 Bottoms shall be built according to either of the following two
methods of construction:
a) Lap welded plates shall be reasonably rectangular and square
edged. Three-plate laps shall not be closer than 300 mm from each
other and also from the tank shell.
Plates shall be welded on top side only with a continuous fillet weld
on all seams. Joints shall be lapped to 5 times the thickness of the
thinner plate, but need not exceed 25 mm ( see Fig. 4, Section BB ).
Portion of the sketch plates coming under the bottom shell ring
shall have the outer ends of the joints fitted and lap welded to form a
smooth bearing for the shell plates, as shown in Fig. 5A.
Bottom plate attachment with the shell plate may be made by an
annular ring of segmental plates as shown in Fig. 5B. Such annular
rings, where used, shall have their radial seams butt welded with a
backing strip as shown in the same figure. Bottom sketch and rect-
angular plates shall be lapped over the annular ring of segmental
17

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 3 T YPICAL FOUNDATIONS
plates with the lap not less than five times the nominal thickness
the thinner plates joined.
18

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 4 T YPICAL L AYOUT OF T ANK BOTTOM
b) Bottoms may be of butt welded construction. Plates shall have the

parallel edges prepared for butt welding with either square or
V-grooves. If square grooves are employed, the root opening shall be
not less than 6 mm. The butt welds shall be made by applying a
backing strip 3 mm thick or heavier by tack welding to the
underside of the plate ( see Fig. 5B, Section XX ). A metal spacer
shall be used, if necessary, to maintain the root opening between the
adjacent plates. The manufacturer may submit the other methods of
butt welding the bottom for the purchaser ’s approval. Three-plate
joints shall not be closer than 300 mm from each other and also from
the tank shell.
19

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 5 BOTTOM PLATE A RRANGEMENT UNDER
T ANK SHELL
20

IS : 803 - 1976
6.2.3 Bottom Plate Resting on Piers

6.2.3.1 For tanks erected on an elevated foundation, and the bottom plate
supported on piers or beams, minimum thickness of bottom plate tb in mm
shall be obtained by the equation:
2
3 G × H p × l
tb = -
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
--
4 S b
where
G = specific gravity of stored product but not less than 1,
H p = uniform loading on the bottom plate in N/mm2 (kgf/cm2) due to
maximum head of water in the tank,
l = length of bottom plate in mm freely supported between the
successive piers/beams, and
Sb = maximum allowable bending stress in plate in N/mm2
(kgf/cm2).
6.2.3.2 The thickness determined by 6.2.3.1 shall be checked by shear
stresses due to the total load H p × l acting at the supports and shall be
increased if required, to keep these stresses within limits specified in
IS : 800-1962*.
6.2.3.3 Special consideration shall be given for any other concentrated
loads acting on the bottom plate.
6.2.3.4 Generally bottom plate built under this rule is a butt welded
construction so that the plate rests uniformly on the supporting structure.
6.2.3.5 Rules for fabrication given in 6.2.1 (b), 6.2.1 (c) and 6.2.2 (b) above
shall also govern fabrication of the bottom plate resting on piers/beams.
6.2.4 The joint between the bottom edge of the lowest course of shell plate
and bottom plate or annular segmental plate shall be by a continuous
fillet weld laid on each side of the shell plate. The size of each weld shall
be not greater than 12 mm and not less than the nominal thickness of the
thinner of the two plates joined, nor less than the following values:
Maximum Thickness of Shell Minimum Size of Fillet
Plate, mm Weld, mm
5 5
6 to 20 6
21 to 30 8
Over 32 10
*Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction

( revised ).
21

IS : 803 - 1976
6.3 Design of Shell Plates

6.3.1 Loads
6.3.1.1 Stresses in the tank shell shall be computed on the assumption
that the tank is filled with water of specific gravity 1.00 or the liquid to be
stored, if heavier than water. The tension in each course shall be
computed at 30 cm above the centre line of the lower horizontal joint of
the course in question.
6.3.1.2 Isolated radial loads on tank shells, such as caused by heavy loads
from platforms and elevated walkways between tanks, shall be
distributed appropriately, preferably in a horizontal position.
6.3.1.3 Wind and internal vacuum loads shall be considered together to
check the stability of tank shells. Wind loads shall be as specified in
Fig. 1A of IS : 875-1964*. Internal vacuum in the tank shall be specified
by the purchaser; however, a minimum of 500 N/m2 (50 kg/m2) vacuum
shall be considered.
6.3.2 Joint Efficiency Factor — This shall be taken as 0.85 for double
welded butt joints, to determine the minimum thickness of shell plates
computed from the stress on the vertical joints, subject to all vertical and
horizontal butt welds being spot radiographed as recommended by this
code. Where welds are not to be so examined by radiography, the joint
efficiency factor considered for design shall be 0.70.
6.3.3 Plate Thicknesses
6.3.3.1 The minimum thickness of shell plates shall not be less than that
calculated from the following formula or as specified in 6.3.3.2 whichever
is greater:
4.9 ( H 0.3 ) DG
–
t = ------------------------------------------ if S is in N/mm2
SE
or
50 ( H 0.3 ) DG
–
= ----------------------------------------- if S is in kgf/cm2
SE
where
t = minimum thickness in mm;
D = nominal diameter of tank in m;
H = height from the bottom of the course under consideration to
top of top curb angle or to bottom of any overflow which limits
tank filling height in m;
G = specific gravity of liquid to be stored, but in no case less than
1.0;
S = allowable stress; and
E = joint efficiency factor.
*Code of practice for structural safety of buildings: Loading standards ( revised ).
22

IS : 803 - 1976
6.3.3.2 In no case shall the nominal thickness of shell plates (including

shell extensions for floating roof) be less than the following:
Nominal Tank Diameter Minimum Nominal Thickness
m mm
Less than 15 5.0
Over 15 up to and including 36 6.0
Over 36 up to and including 60 8.0
Over 60 10.0
6.3.3.3 The nominal thickness of shell plates refers to the tank shell as
constructed and is based on stability rather than stress. Any required
corrosion allowance for the shell plates shall be added to the calculated
thickness of 6.3.3.1, unless otherwise specified by the purchaser.
6.3.3.4 The maximum nominal thickness of tank shell plates shall be
40 mm, except that insert plates up to 75 mm thickness inclusive shall be
permitted for material conforming to IS : 2002-1962* Grade 2B and
IS : 2041-1962† steels.
6.3.3.5 The width of the shell plate shall be as agreed to between the
purchaser and the manufacturer, but preferably should not be less than
1 500 mm.
6.3.3.6 Stability of tank shells against external loads shall be checked by
determining the maximum height of the shell from the tap curb angle or
wind girder that does not buckle under this loading and providing
stiffening to the shell if required.
The maximum height of unstiffened shell, in metres, shall not exceed
H 1 as determined by the following equation:
14 700 t
H 1 = ----------------------  ----t  3 , if p is in N/m2
p

 D 

or
1 500 t
= -------------------  ----t  3 , if p is in kgf/m2
p

 D 

where
H 1 = vertical distance between the intermediate wind girder and
top angle of the shell or the top wind girder of an open top tank
in m;
t = average shell thickness in height H 1 in mm determined from
the actual thicknesses of plates used unless the purchaser
specifies that the net thickness (actual thickness used minus
corrosion allowance specified) shall be considered;
*Specification for steel plates for boilers.

†Specification for steel plates for pressure vessels.
23

IS : 803 - 1976
D = nominal tank diameter in m; and

p = sum of all external pressures acting on the tank shell, that is,
wind pressure and internal vacuum.
An initial calculation shall be made using the thickness of the top shell
course. Further calculations shall be made by considering the weighted
average thickness of the top course and part or all of the next lower
course, or courses, till the value H 1 equals or is less than the height of
shell used in determining the average thickness.
When such a value of H 1 is obtained, an intermediate wind girder shall
be provided on the shell at a distance below the top wind girder of curb
angle, equal to or less than the height of shell used in determining the
average thickness.
Minimum distance from this girder to the nearest horizontal joint in
the shell shall be 150 mm. The required minimum section modulus in
cubic centimetres of this girder shall be determined by the equation:
Z = 0.059 D2 H 1
This formula is applicable for total external pressures up to 1 470 N/m2
(150 kgf/m2). For greater external pressures P, required minimum section
modulus of this girder is computed by multiplying above equation by
P P
--------------- or ---------- where P is in N/m2 or kgf/m2 respectively.
1 470 150
Thereafter, the rest of the shell below this intermediate girder shall be
checked in the same manner considering this girder as the top of the tank.
If value of H 1 continues to be greater than the height of shell used in
determining the average thickness, the shell is considered stable against
the external loads that are considered and no intermediate girder is
required.
6.3.4 Shell Plate Arrangement
6.3.4.1 The shell shall be designed to have all courses truly vertical. The
centre-line of each course shall be on top of the centre-line of the course
immediately below or alternatively the inside surfaces of offset horizontal
butt joints shall be kept flush, as desired by the purchaser. The system of
construction to be followed should be specified in the order.
6.3.4.2 Vertical joints in adjacent shell courses shall not be in alignment
but shall be offset from each other as large a distance as possible but in no
case less than a distance of 5 t, t being the plate thickness of the thicker
course at the point of offset.
6.3.5 Shell Joints
6.3.5.1 Vertical and horizontal joints — All vertical and horizontal joints
shall be of double-welded butt construction with complete penetration and
fusion through the full thickness of the parent plate. Suggested forms of
joints are shown in Fig. 6.
24

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 6 T YPICAL HORIZONTAL AND V ERTICAL JOINTS
6.3.5.2 The suitability of plate preparation and welding procedure shall

be the manufacturer’s choice subject to welding procedure qualification as
specified in IS : 823-1964*.
*Code of procedure for manual metal arc welding of mild steel.
25

IS : 803 - 1976
6.3.5.3 The wide face of unsymmetrical V or U butt joints may be on the

outside or on the inside of the tank shell.
6.3.6 Roof-Curb Angle
6.3.6.1 Except as specified for open top tanks in 6.3.8.6, tank shells shall
be provided with top-curb angles of sizes not less than specified in 6.3.6.2
and as may be required by 6.3.6.3. This will be attached to the upper edge
of the shell plate by a double-welded butt or lap joint. The horizontal leg
of the top angle may extend inside or outside the tank shell at the
purchaser ’s option. Typical roof to shell joints and roof plate joints are
given in Fig. 7.
FIG. 7 T YPICAL ROOF JOINTS
6.3.6.2 Minimum sizes of top curb angle shall be:
a) Tanks up to and including 10 m diameter 65 × 65 × 6.0 mm
b) Tanks over 10 m and up to and including 65 × 65 × 8.0 mm
18 m diameter
c) Tanks over 18 m and up to and including 75 × 75 × 10.0 mm
36 m diameter
d) Tanks over 36 m diameter 100 × 100 × 10.0 mm
26

IS : 803 - 1976
NOTE — Thickness specified above includes corrosion allowance required for
petroleum service. Special consideration should be given for severe service.
6.3.6.3 For tanks having internal pressure, cross-sectional area of curb
angle provided shall not be less than the area required to resist the
compressive force at the roof shell junction minus the participating shell
and roof area shown in Fig. 8.
Area of curb angle required is given by:
where
Ac = area of curb angle in cm2;
D = tank diameter in m;
P = upward force due to internal tank’s pressure minus weight of
roof plates;
= angle between the roof and a horizontal plane at the roof shell
junction in degrees;
W s = width of the shell in the compression region in cm;
= 0.19 R S t S where RS = radius of tank shell in cm;
tS = nominal shell thickness in mm;
W R = width of the roof in the compression region in cm;
= 0.095 R R t R ;
RR = radius of roof at roof shell junction in cm; and
tR = nominal roof thickness in cm.
This area may be provided by using rolled angle or other section or
plate girder as shown in Fig. 8.
When plate girder as shown in Fig. 8, Detail —D is used, required area
of this girder is given by:
27

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 8 SOME PERMISSIBLE DETAILS OF COMPRESSION RINGS
6.3.7 Circular Shell Openings
6.3.7.1 Opening in tank shells larger than 64 mm in diameter shall be
reinforced. The minimum cross-sectional area of the reinforcement shall
be not less than the product of the vertical diameter of the hole cut in the
tank shell and the shell plate thickness required under 6.3.3.1. The cross-
sectional area of the reinforcement shall be measured along the vertical
axis passing through the centre.
6.3.7.2 If a thicker shell plate is used than is required for the hydrostatic
loading and corrosion allowance ( see 6.3.3.3 ), the excess shell plate
thickness, within a vertical distance, both above and below the centre-line
of the hole in the tank shell plate, equal to the vertical dimension of the hole
in the tank shell plate, may be considered as reinforcement, and the thickness
T of the opening reinforcement plate may be decreased accordingly.
6.3.7.3 All effective reinforcements shall be made within a distance, above
or below the centre-line of the shell opening, equal to the vertical
28

IS : 803 - 1976
dimensions of the hole in the tank shell plate. The reinforcement may be
provided within a vertical distance, both above and below the centre-line
of the hole in the shell, equal to the vertical dimension of the hole in the
tank shell plate by any one, or by any combination, of the following:
a) The reinforcing plate;
b) The portion of the neck of the fitting which may be considered as
reinforcement according to 6.3.7.4; and
c) Any excess shell plate thickness, beyond that required under 6.3.3.1,
and corrosion allowance.
6.3.7.4 The following portions of the neck of a fitting may be considered as
part of the area of reinforcement:
a) The portion extending outwardly from the outside surface of the
tank shell plate for a distance equal to four times the neck wall
thickness or, if the neck wall thickness is reduced within this
distance, to the point of transition;
b) The portion lying within the shell plate thickness; and
c) The portion extending inwardly from the inside surface of the tank
shell plate for a distance as specified under 6.3.7.4(a).
6.3.7.5 The aggregate strength of the weld attaching a fitting to the shell
plate, or to an intervening reinforcing plate, or to both, shall equal at least
the proportion of the forces passing through the entire reinforcement
which is computed to pass through the fitting considered.
6.3.7.6 The aggregate strength of the weld attaching any intervening
reinforcing plate to the shell plate shall at least equal to proportion of the
forces passing through the entire reinforcement which is computed to
pass through the reinforcing plate considered.
6.3.7.7 The attachment welding to the shell, along the outer periphery of
the reinforcing plate, shall be considered effective only for the parts lying
outside the area bounded by vertical lines drawn tangent to the shell
opening. The outer peripheral welding, however, shall be applied
completely around the reinforcement. All the inner peripheral welding
shall be considered effective.
The strength of the effective attachment welding shall be considered as
its shear resistance at the stress values given for fillet welds under 5.2.
The outer peripheral weld shall be of a size not less than 0.5 tmin where
tmin is the smaller of 20 mm or the thickness less corrosion allowance of
either of the parts joined by a fillet weld or groove weld; except that when
low type nozzles are used with the reinforcing plate extending to the tank
bottom, the size of that portion of the peripheral weld which attaches the
reinforcing plate to the bottom plate shall conform to 6.2.4. The inner
peripheral welding shall be large enough to sustain the remainder of the
loading.
29

IS : 803 - 1976
Figures 11 and 12 show acceptable methods of attachment. For

convenience fillet sizes for one type of attachment are given in Table 9,
and Table 10 respectively for manholes and nozzles. For other types of
attachments, fillet sizes shall be determined according to 6.3.7.5, 6.3.7.6
and 6.3.7.7.
6.3.7.8 When two or more openings are located so close that their normal
reinforcing plate edges are closer than ten times the thickness of the
thicker reinforcing plate with a minimum of 150 mm, they shall be
treated and reinforced as follows:
a) All such openings shall be included in a single reinforcing plate,
which shall be proportioned for the largest opening in the group;
b) If the normal reinforcing plates for the smaller openings in the
group, considered separately, would fall within the area limits of the
solid portion of normal plate for the largest opening, the smaller
openings may be included in a normal plate for the largest openings
without increase in size of that plate; provided, however, that if any
opening intersects the vertical centre-line of another, the total width
of the final reinforcing plate along the vertical centre-line of either
opening shall be not less than the sum of the widths of the normal
plates for the openings involved; and
c) If the normal reinforcing plates for the smaller openings, considered
separately, would not fall within the area limits of the solid portion
of a normal plate for the largest opening, the group reinforcing plate
size and shape shall be such as to include the outer limits of the
normal reinforcing plates for all of the openings in the group.
Change of size from the outer limits of the normal plate for the
largest opening to the outer limits of that for the smaller opening
farthest therefrom shall be by uniform straight taper unless the
normal plate for any intermediate opening would extend beyond the
limits so fixed, in which case uniform straight tapers shall join the
outer limits of the several normal plates. Provisions under 6.3.7.8
(b) with respect to openings on the same or adjacent vertical centre-
lines shall also apply in this case.
6.3.7.9 Reinforcement for non-circular openings shall be given special
consideration.
6.3.8 Design of Wind Girders for Open-Top Tanks
6.3.8.1 Open top tanks shall be provided with stiffening rings to maintain
roundness when the tank is subjected to wind loads. Stiffening rings shall
be located at or near the top course, and preferably on the outside of the
tank shell.
6.3.8.2 The required minimum section modulus of the wind girder shall
be determined by the following formula:
Z = 0.059 D2 H
30

IS : 803 - 1976
where
Z = section modulus in cm3,
D = normal diameter of tank in m, and
H = height of tank shell in m including any ‘free board’ provided
above the maximum filling height as guide for the floating roof.
Stiffening ring having a section modulus given by the above formula is
adequate for external pressures (wind + vacuum) up to 1 470 N/m2 (150
kgf/mm2). For greater external pressure P, required section modulus of
the stiffening ring shall be computed by multiplying above equation by
P P
--------------- (or ---------- where P is in kgf/m2).
1 470 150
6.3.8.3 The section modulus of the stiffening ring shall be based upon the
properties of the applied members and may include a portion of the tank
shell for a distance of 16 plate thicknesses below and, if applicable, above
the ring shell attachment. When curb angles are attached to the top edge
of the shell ring by butt welding, this distance shall be reduced by the
width of the vertical leg of the angle. Section modulii values for typical
ring members are given in Table 7.
6.3.8.4 Stiffening rings may be made of either structural section, formed
plate section, or sections built-up by welding, or of combinations of such
types of sections assembled by welding. The outer periphery of stiffening
rings may be circular or polygonal. Built-up stiffening rings using flats
and bars are permitted subject to purchaser’s approval.
6.3.8.5 The minimum size of angle for use along, or as component in a
built-up stiffening ring, shall be 60 × 60 × 6 mm. The minimum nominal
thickness of plate for use in formed or built-up stiffening rings shall be
6 mm.
6.3.8.6 When stiffening rings are located more than 0.6 m below the top of
the shell, the tank shall be provided with a 60 × 60 × 5 mm top curb angle
for 5 mm shells, and with a 75 × 75 × 6 mm angle for shell greater than
5 mm. Other rolled sections of equivalent section modulus may also be
used.
6.3.8.7 Rings of such design that liquid may be trapped thereon shall be
provided with adequate drain holes.
6.3.8.8 Stiffening rings or portions thereof, which are regularly used as a
walkway, shall have a width not less than 0.6 m clear of the projecting
curb angle on the top of the tank-shell, shall be located preferably 1 m
below the top of the curb angle, and shall be provided with a standard
railing on the unprotected side and at the ends of the section so used.
6.3.8.9 When a stair opening is installed through a stiffening ring, the
section modulus of that portion of the ring outside the opening, and including
the transition section, shall conform to the requirements of 6.3.8.2. The
31

IS : 803 - 1976
shell adjacent to such opening shall be stiffened with an angle, or bar, placed
horizontally. The other sides of the opening shall be stiffened with an angle,
or bar, placed vertically. The cross-sectional area of these rim stiffeners
shall be at least equivalent to the cross-sectional area of that portion of
shell included in the section modulus calculations of the stiffening ring
( see 6.3.8.8 ). These stiffeners, or additional members, shall furnish a
suitable tee board around the opening. The stiffening members shall extend
beyond the end of the opening for a distance equal to or greater than the
minimum depth of the regular ring section. The end stiffening members
shall frame into the side stiffening members and shall be connected to them
in such a manner as to develop their full strength.
6.3.8.10 Supports shall be provided for all stiffening rings when the
dimension of the horizontal leg or web exceeds 16 times the leg or web
thickness. Such supports shall be spaced at intervals as required for the
dead load and vertical live load that may be placed upon the ring.
However, the spacing shall not exceed 24 times the width of the outside
compression flange.
6.3.8.11 Continuous seal welds of about 3 mm shall be used for all joints
which, because of their location, may be subjected to corrosion from
entrapped moisture or cause rust markings on the tank shell. Full
penetration butt welds shall be used for jointing ring sections.
6.3.9 An alternate method for design of tank shells is dealt with in
Appendix B.
TABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS
( Clause 6.3.8.3 )
All dimensions in millimetres.
SECTION THROUGH WIND GIRDER MEMBER SIZE IN SECTION MODULUS IN cm3
FOR SHELL THICKNESS
mm × mm × mm 5 mm 6 mm
ISA 65 × 65 × 6 6.4 6.5

ISA 65 × 65 × 8 8.3 8.5
ISA 75 × 75 × 10 13.6 13.0
Detail A — Top Angle
( Continued )
32

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS — Contd

FOR SHELL THICKNESS
ISA 65 × 65 × 6 27.2 28.4

ISA 65 × 65 × 8 33.2 34.9
ISA 75 × 75 × 6 36.3 37.8
ISA 75 × 75 × 10 50.0 54.1
ISA 100 × 100 × 6 63.8 66.8
ISA 100 × 100 × 10 73.7 92.2
Detail B — Curb Angle
ISA 65 × 65 × 6 28.3 29.4

ISA 65 × 65 × 8 34.8 36.4
ISA 100 × 75 × 8 67.5 70.6
ISA 125 × 75 × 8 90.1 94.5
ISA 150 × 115 × 10 157.5 190.1
Detail C — Single Angle
( Continued )
33

IS : 803 - 1976

FOR SHELL THICKNESS
ISA 100 × 75 × 8 182.2 187.5

ISA 100 × 75 × 10 217.6 224.1
ISA 125 × 75 × 8 250.7 258.4
ISA 125 × 75 × 10 300.2 309.5
ISA 125 × 95 × 8 288.5 296.0
ISA 125 × 95 × 10 346.9 356.2
ISA 150 × 115 × 10 506.7 518.9
Detail D — Two Angles
b = 250 — 341.0

b = 300 — 427.2
b = 350 — 518.7
b = 400 — 615.5
b = 450 — 717.4
b = 500 — 824.4
b = 550 — 936.6
b = 600 — 1 053.8
b = 650 — 1 176.1
b = 700 — 1 303.5
b = 750 — 1 435.9
b = 800 — 1 573.4
b = 850 — 1 716.0
b = 900 — 1 863.5
Detail E — Formed Plate b = 950 — 2 016.1
b = 1 000 — 2 166.7
( Continued )
34

IS : 803 - 1976

FOR SHELL THICKNESS ,
mm 6 mm
b = 250 335.2

b = 300 417.6
b = 350 504.6
b = 400 596.5
b = 450 693.2
b = 500 794.8
b = 550 901.3
b = 600 1 012.8
b = 650 1 129.2
b = 700 1 250.6
b = 750 1 376.6
b = 800 1 508.2
b = 850 1 644.4
b = 900 1 785.6
Detail F — Formed Plate
b = 950 1 931.8
b = 1 000 2 082.9
b = 1 050 2 239.1
b = 1 100 2 400.2
b = 1 150 2 566.3
b = 1 200 2 737.4
35

IS : 803 - 1976
6.4 Designs of Roof

6.4.1 Definitions — The following definitions shall apply to designs of
roofs.
6.4.1.1 Supported cone roof — A roof formed to approximately the surface
of a right cone, with its principal support provided by either rafters on
girders and columns or rafters on trusses with or without columns.
6.4.1.2 Self-supporting cone roof — A roof formed to approximately the
surface of a right cone, supported only at its periphery.
6.4.1.3 Self-supporting dome roof — A roof formed to approximately a
spherical surface, supported only at its periphery.
6.4.1.4 Self-supporting umbrella roof — A modified dome roof so formed
that any horizontal section is a regular polygon with as many sides as
there are roof plates, supported only at its periphery.
6.4.2 General
6.4.2.1 All roofs and supporting structures shall be designed to support
dead load, plus a uniform live load of not less than 1 225 N/m2 (125
kgf/m2) of projected area.
6.4.2.2 Roof plates shall have a minimum nominal thickness of 5 mm. A
greater thickness may be required for self-supporting roofs ( see 6.4.5 and
6.4.6 ).
6.4.2.3 Roof plates of supported cone roofs shall not be attached to the
supporting members.
6.4.2.4 All internal and external structural members of the roof shall
have a minimum nominal thickness, in any component, of 4.5 mm.
6.4.2.5 Roof plates shall be attached to the top angle of the tank with a
continuous fillet weld on the top side only.
If the continuous fillet weld between the roof plates and the top angle
does not exceed 5 mm and the slope of the roof at the top angle
attachment does not exceed 1 in 6, the joint may be considered to be
frangible and, in case of excessive internal pressure, will fail before
failure occurs in the tank shell joints or the shell-to-bottom joint. Failure
of the roof-to-shell joint may be accompanied by buckling of the top angle.
Where the weld size exceeds 5 mm or where the slope of the roof at the
top-angle attachment is greater than 1 in 6, emergency venting devices in
accordance with Appendix C shall be provided by the purchaser. The
manufacturer shall provide a suitable tank connection for the device.
6.4.2.6 Roof plate shall be lapped with a minimum overlap of 25 mm and
shall be welded with a continuous fillet weld on the top side only. Laps
shall be arranged as shown in Fig. (A) or (B) of Fig. 7 for roof plate joint
depending on the local conditions by agreement between the purchaser
and the manufacturer.
36

IS : 803 - 1976
6.4.2.7 For all types of roofs, the plates may be stiffened by sections
welded to the plates but not to the supporting rafters and/or girders.
6.4.3 Permissible Stresses — All parts of the structure shall be so
proportioned that the sum of the maximum static stresses shall not
exceed the permissible stresses given in IS : 800-1962*.
6.4.4 Supported Cone Roofs — The design of supported cone roof shall
conform to the following:
a) Roof plates shall be welded on the top side with continuous full-fillet
welds on all seams. The size of the roof-to-top angle weld shall be 5
mm or smaller if so specified by the purchaser.
b) The slope of the roof shall be 1 in 16 or greater as specified by the
purchaser. If the rafters are set directly on chord girders producing
slightly varying rafter slopes, the slope of the flattest rafter shall
conform to the specified or ordered roof slope.
c) Main supporting members, including those supporting the rafters,
may be rolled or fabricated section or trusses, with or without
supporting columns. Although these members may be in contact
with the roof plates, the compression flange of a member or the top
chord of a truss shall be considered to receive no lateral support
from the roof plates and shall be laterally braced, if necessary, by
other acceptable methods.
d) Structural members, serving as rafters, may be rolled or fabricated
sections. Rafters in direct contact with the roof plates applying the
loading to the rafters may be considered to receive adequate lateral
support from the friction between the roof plates and the
compression flanges of the rafters, with the following exceptions:
(1) Trusses and open-web joists used as rafters,
(2) Rafters having a nominal depth greater than 375 mm, and
(3) Rafters having a slope greater than 1 in 6.
e) Rafters shall be spaced so that, in the outer ring, their centres shall
not be more than 2 m measured along the circumference of the tank.
Spacing on inner rings shall not be greater than 1.75 m. When
specified by the purchaser for tanks located in areas subject to
earthquake, 20 mm diameter tie rods (or equivalent) shall be placed
between the rafters in the outer rings. These tie rods may be omitted
if I or H sections are used as rafters.
f) Roof columns shall be made from structural shapes or pipes or
built-up sections. Suitable base frames or reinforcing pads shall be
provided at the column base to distribute loads coming on the tank
bottom.
*Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction
( revised ).
37

IS : 803 - 1976
g) Rafters clips for the outer row of rafters shall be welded to the tank
shell. Columns shall not be rigidly attached to the bottom plate.
Guide clips shall be welded to the tank bottom to prevent lateral
movement of columns. All other structural attachments shall be
either bolted, riveted, or welded.
6.4.5 Self-Supporting Cone Roofs — Self-supporting cone roofs shall
conform to the following requirements:
Maximum = 37°
Minimum sin = 0.165 (slope 1 in 6)
Minimum t = but not less than 5 mm
Maximum t = 12 mm
NOTE — Self-supporting roofs having the roof plates stiffened by sections welded to
the plates need not conform to the above minimum thickness requirements, but
should be not less than 5 mm when so designed by the manufacturer, subject to the
approval of the purchaser.
6.4.5.1 The cross-sectional area of the top angle in cm2 plus the cross-
sectional areas of the shell and roof plates within a distance of 16 times
their thicknesses measured from their most remote point of attachment to
the top angle, shall not be less than:
where
D = nominal diameter of tank shell in m,
= angle of cone elements with the horizontal in degrees, and
t = nominal thickness of roof plates in mm.
6.4.6 Self-Supporting Dome and Umbrella Roofs — Self-supporting dome
and umbrella roofs shall conform to the following requirements:
Minimum R = 0.8 D
Maximum R = 1.2 D where R = radius of the dome in m,
Minimum t = R /2.5 but not less than 5 mm
in mm
Maximum t = 12 mm
These formulae for self-supporting roofs assume a uniform live load of
1 225 N/m2 (125 kgf/m2).
NOTE — Self supporting roofs having the roof plates stiffened by sections welded to
the plates need not conform to the minimum thickness requirements, but should not
be less than 5 mm when so designed by the manufacturer, subject to the approval of
the purchaser.
38

IS : 803 - 1976
6.4.6.1 The cross-sectional area of the top angle in cm2 plus the cross-
sectional areas of the shell and roof plates within a distance of 16 times
their thicknesses, measured from their most remote point of attachment
to the top angle, shall equal or exceed:
DR
---------
20
where
D = nominal diameter of tank shell in m,
R = radius of curvature of roof in m, and
t = nominal thickness of roof plates in mm.
6.4.7 Top-Angle Attachment for Self-Supporting Roofs
6.4.7.1 The top-angle sections for self-supporting roofs shall be joined by
butt welds having complete penetration and fusion. Joint efficiency
factors need not be applied if it conforms to the requirements of 6.4.5 and
6.4.6.
6.4.7.2 For self-supporting roofs whether of the cone, dome or umbrella
type, the edges of the roof plates, at the option of the manufacturer, may
be flanged horizontally to rest flat against the top angle to improve
welding conditions.
6.4.8 Recommended column layout for tanks and column and girder
attachment details are shown in Fig. 9 and 10.
6.5 Floating Roof — Reference may be made to Appendix D for the
design and construction of floating roofs.
7. APPURTENANCES AND MOUNTINGS
7.1 General
7.1.1 Appurtenances or mountings installed on tanks should conform to
this code. Alternative designs of appurtenances which provide equivalent
strength, tightness and utility are permissible, if so agreed by the
purchaser.
7.1.2 Manhole necks, nozzle necks, reinforcing plates, and shell-plate
openings, which have either sheared or oxygen-cut surfaces, shall have
such surfaces made uniform and smooth, with the corners rounded,
except where such surfaces are fully covered by attachment welds.
7.2 Shell Manholes
7.2.1 Shell manholes shall conform to Fig. 11 and Tables 8 and 9.
7.2.2 Manhole frames may be press-formed or of built-up welded
construction.
39

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 9 RECOMMENDED L AYOUT OF COLUMNS FOR NORMAL
SIZE T ANKS
40

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 10 T YPICAL COLUMN AND GIRDER A TTACHMENT DETAILS
41

IS : 803 - 1976
7.3 Shell Nozzles

7.3.1 Shell nozzles shall conform to Fig. 12 and 13 and Table 10.
7.3.2 Details and dimensions specified herein are for nozzles installed
with their axes perpendicular to the shell plate. Nozzles may be installed
at an angle of other than 90° to the shell plate in a horizontal plane,
provided that the width of the reinforcing plate is increased by the
amount that the horizontal chord of the opening cut in the shell plate
increases as the opening changes from circular to elliptical in making the
angular installation. In addition, nozzles not larger than 75 mm nominal
pipe size, for insertion of thermometer wells, sampling connections, or
other purposes not involving the attachment of extended piping, may be
installed at an angle of 15° or less off perpendicular in a vertical plane,
without modification of the nozzle reinforcing plate.
7.4 Roof Manholes
7.4.1 Manholes in the roof shall conform to Fig. 14 and Table 11. They
shall be suitable for attachment by welding to the tank roof sheets and
shall be positioned close to roof sheet supporting members.
7.4.2 The manhole cover may be hinged with single or multiple bolt fixing
as required by the purchaser.
7.4.3 Openings made for fixing manholes on self supporting roofs and
roofs subjected to internal pressure shall be reinforced by a plate ring
having the same thickness of roof plate and outer diameter equal to twice
the diameter of the opening.
7.5 Roof Nozzles
7.5.1 Flanged roof nozzles shall conform to Fig. 15 and Table 12,
installation of threaded nozzles shall be as shown in Fig. 15.
7.5.2 All nozzle openings greater than 150 mm diameter, shall be
reinforced by a plate ring having the same thickness as roof plate and
outer-diameter equal to twice the diameter of the opening.
7.6 Water Draw-Offs and Drain Pad
7.6.1 Water draw-off sumps shall conform to Fig. 16.
7.6.2 Drain pad for elevated tanks shall be in accordance with Fig. 17 and
Table 13.
7.7 Platforms, Gangways and Stairways
7.7.1 Platforms and gangways shall conform to the following:
a) Platforms and gangways shall be capable of supporting a moving
concentrated load of 4 412 N (450 kgf) and the handrailing structure
42

IS : 803 - 1976
shall be capable of withstanding a load of 882 N (90 kgf) applied in

any direction at any point on the top rails.
b) All parts shall be made of metal.
c) Flooring shall be of grating or of non-slip material.
d) A standard width of such gangways on a tank is 600 mm. Wider
gangways may be used if required by the purchaser.
e) Handrailing of 1 m height shall be provided on all open sides
and shall have a toe board not less than 75 mm besides top and
mid-rails.
f) At handrail openings, any space between the tank and the platform
wider than 150 mm shall be floored.
7.7.2 Stairways shall conform to the following:
a) Stairways shall be capable of supporting a moving concentrated load
of 4 412 N (450 kgf) and the handrailing structure shall be capable
of withstanding a load of 882 N (90 kgf) applied in any direction at
any point on the top rail.
b) Handrails shall be on both sides of straight stairs, as well as on
spiral stairs when the clearance between the tank shell and stair
stringer exceeds 200 mm.
c) Spiral stairways should be completely supported on the shell of the
tank and ends of the stringers should be clear of the ground.
d) All parts to be made of metal.
e) Standard width of stairs is 800 mm. Wider stairs may be used if
required by purchaser.
f) Standard width of stair treads is 250 mm, and shall be of a grating or
non-slip material.
g) Maximum angle of stairway with a horizontal line shall be 50°.
h) Stair tread rises shall be uniform throughout the height of the
stairway and preferably be 200 mm.
j) Top railing shall join the platform handrail without offset, and the
height measured vertically from tread level at nose of tread shall be
750 to 850 mm.
k) Maximum distance between railing posts measured along the slope
of the railing shall be 2.4 m.
7.8 Flush Type Cleanout Fitting — Figure 18 shows an acceptable
type of flush type cleanout fitting that may be incorporated in a tank if
43

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 11 T YPICAL SHELL M ANHOLES ( see Tables 8 and 9 )
44

IS : 803 - 1976
specified by the purchaser. Tables 14, 15 and 16 give additional data and
dimensions of this fitting. Special consideration shall be made by the
purchaser in design of foundation to provide an adequate support to this
fitting.
7.9 Gauge Wells — Typical sketches of gauge wells showing two

different methods of installing gauges without welding them to the
existing roof nozzles are given in Fig. 19.
7.10 Tank Accessories — Other tank accessories like level indicator,

foam chamber, gauge hatch, free vents and earthing boss be provided
conforming to Indian Standard specifications wherever available and in
agreement with the purchaser.
TABLE 8 SHELL MANHOLE COVER PLATE AND BOLTING FLANGE

THICKNESS ( see Fig. 11 )
( Clause 7.2.1 )
M AXI- EQUI- MINIMUM COVER PLATE MINIMUM BOLTING FLANGE THICK -

MUM VALENT THICKNESS IN mm NESS A FTER FINISHING IN mm
T ANK *PRESSURE                              
2
HEIGHT IN N/mm 500-mm 600-mm 750-mm 900-mm 500-mm 600-mm 750-mm 900-mm
m (kgf/cm2) Man- Man- Man- Man- Man- Man- Man- Man-
hole hole hole hole hole hole hole hole
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)
6.5 0.065 (0.65) 8 10 12 12 6 6 8 10
8.0 0.08 (0.80) 10 12 12 14 6 8 10 12
10.0 0.10 (1.00) 10 12 14 16 6 8 10 12
12.0 0.12 (1.20) 12 12 16 18 8 10 12 14
14.0 0.14 (1.40) 12 14 16 20 10 12 12 16
16.5 0.165 (1.65) 12 14 18 20 10 12 14 18
20.0 0.20 (2.0) 14 16 20 22 11 12 16 20
23.0 0.23 (2.3) 16 18 20 25 12 14 18 20
*Equivalent pressure is based on water loading.
45

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 9 SHELL MANHOLE DIMENSIONAL DATA ( see Fig. 11 )

( Clause 7.2.1 )
a) Nominal size, D 500 600 750 900

O.D. of cover plate, DC 725 825 975 1 125
Bolt circle dia, DB 650 750 900 1 050
b) The minimum neck thickness T p shall be the thickness of the shell plate, or the
allowable finished thickness of the bolting flange ( see Table 8 ) whichever is
thinner, but in no case shall it be thinner than the following:
Shell Thickness Thickness of Neck, T p
mm mm
5-20 8
21-25 11
26-30 12
31-36 18
37-40 20
NOTE — If neck thickness on a built-up manhole is greater than the required
minimum, the manhole reinforcing plate may be decreased accordingly within the
limits specified in 6.3.
c) Opening in the shell DS shall be equal to Do + 100 mm for Type A attachments.
For other type of attachments DS shall be established by manufacturer as
required.
d) Opening in the reinforcing plate Dp shall be equal to O.D. of neck Do + 3 mm.
e) Sizes of fillet welds (leg length) for attachment Type A shall be as follows:
e =≥ 3T /4, but not less than 6 mm.
f = T /2, but not more than 12 mm and not less than 8 mm.
g = t, where t is 10 mm or less, or
t /2 with a minimum of 10 mm where t exceeds 10 mm.
f) For attachment Types B, C and D, sizes of fillet welds shall be fixed in accordance
with 6.3.7.5 , 6.3.7.6 and 6.3.7.7 .
46

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 12 T YPICAL SHELL NOZZLES ( see Table 10 )
47

As in the Original Standard, this Page is Intentionally Left Blank

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 13 SHELL NOZZLE FLANGES ( see Table 10 )
8. SHOP FABRICATION AND INSPECTION

8.1 Workmanship
8.1.1 All work of fabrication shall be done in accordance with this code.
The workmanship and finish shall be first class in every respect subject to
the closest inspection by the manufacturer’s inspector, whether or not the
purchaser waives any part of the inspection.
49

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 10 SHELL NOZZLES DIMENSIONAL DATA ( see Fig. 12 and 13 )

( Clause 7.3.1 )
A. FLANGED FITTINGS

NOMINAL SIZE MINIMUM W ALL DISTANCE FROM DISTANCE FROM T ANK BOTTOM TO
OF NOZZLE, D THICKNESS, SHELL TO FLANGE, NOZZLE CENTRE
T p* E             
Regular Type Low Type
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
900 12 350 1 000 920

850 12 330 950 870
800 12 330 900 820
750 12 300 850 770
700 12 300 800 720
650 12 300 750 670
600 12 300 700 620
550 12 280 650 570
500 12 280 600 520
450 12 250 550 470
400 12 250 500 420
350 12 250 450 370
300 12 220 430 350
250 12 220 380 300
200 12 200 330 250
150 11 200 280 200
100 8.5 175 230 150
75 7.5 175 200 120
50 5.5 150 175 100
40 5 150 150 75
B. SCREWED FITTINGS
NOMINAL SIZE OF W ALL THICKNESS DISTANCE FROM T ANK BOTTOM TO
NOZZLE NOZZLE CENTRE
                
Regular Type Low Type
(1) (2) (3) (4)
75 Coupling 230 140

50 ,, 175 75
40 ,, 150 75
25 ,, 125 75
20 ,, 100 75
*Includes corrosion allowance required for petroleum service. Special consideration

should be given for severe service.
( Continued )
50

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 10 SHELL NOZZLES DIMENSIONAL DATA — Contd
NOTE 1 — If neck thickness on a built-up nozzle is greater than the required

minimum, the nozzle reinforcing plate may be decreased accordingly within the
limits specified in 6.3.7.
NOTE 2 — Opening in the shell DS shall be equal to D0 + 65 mm for Type A
attachments. For other type of attachments, DS shall be established by
manufacturer as required.
NOTE 3 — Opening in the reinforcing plate Dp shall be equal to O.D. for neck
D0 + 3 mm.
NOTE 4 — Standard size of reinforcing plate DL = 2 DS.
NOTE 5 — Fillet weld sizes for Type A attachment shall be as follows:
e = t (shell plate thickness).
f = thickness for pipe wall T p or reinforcing plate T whichever is lesser.
g = r for shell thicknesses up to 10 mm
or
t /2 for shell thicknesses greater than 10 mm.
NOTE 6 — For attachment Types B, C and D, fillet weld sizes shall be in accordance
with 6.3.7.5, 6.3.7.6 and 6.3.7.7 .
NOTE 7 — Nozzle pipe wall thicknesses listed above for 650, 700, 750, 800, 850 and
900 mm dia nozzles are applicable for use on tank shells up to 25 mm thickness.
When these nozzles are installed on thicker shell plate, their wall thickness shall be
as follows:
t T p
28 14
32 17.5
36 19.0
40 19.0
TABLE 11 ROOF MANHOLES ( see Fig. 14 )

( Clause 7.4.1 )
SIZE OF COVER PLATE BOLT CIRCLE NO. OF BOLT HOLE

M ANHOLE DIAMETER DIAMETER BOLTS DIAMETER
DC DB
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
mm mm mm mm
500 650 590 16 18

600 750 690 20 18
51

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 14 T YPICAL ROOF M ANHOLE ( see Table 11 )
TABLE 12 ROOF NOZZLES ( see Fig. 15 )

( Clause 7.5.1 )
NOMINAL SIZE OF NOZZLE PROJECTION OF NOZZLE H
(1) (2)
mm mm
40 150
50 150
75 150
100 150
150 150
200 150
250 200
300 200
52

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 15 T YPICAL ROOF NOZZLES ( see Table 12 )
53

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 16 T YPICAL W ATER DRAW-OFF SUMP
TABLE 13 DETAIL OF DRAIN PAD FOR ELEVATED TANKS ( see Fig. 17 )

( Clause 7.6.2 )
NOMINAL NO. AND DIA

SIZE A B C D E F G H J OF STUDS
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)
50 50 150 120 22 65 42 25 15 90 4 of 16 mm
75 90 190 150 25 105 45 25 19 120 4 of 16 mm
100 120 230 190 28 135 45 25 22 150 8 of 16 mm
150 170 280 240 32 185 50 32 24 200 8 of 20 mm
54

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 17 T YPICAL DRAIN P AD FOR ELEVATED T ANKS ( see Table 13 )
TABLE 14 FLUSH TYPE CLEANOUT FITTINGS ( see Fig. 18 )

( Clause 7.8 )
SIZE OF A RC WIDTH UPPER UPPER BOTTOM SPECIAL NO. OF DIA -
OPENING OF SHELL CORNER CORNER FLANGE BOLT BOLTS METER
REINFORCING R ADIUS R ADIUS OF WIDTH SPACING OF
HEIGHT ( h ) PLATE OF SHELL BOLTS
× WIDTH ( b ) OPENING REINFORCING
PLATE
W r1 r2 f g
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
600 × 600 1 800 200 725 85 80 36 20
900 × 1 200 2 650 375 1 025 120 105 46 25
1 200 × 1 200 3 125 400 1 280 125 110 52 25
55

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 15 THICKNESS OF COVER PLATE, BOLTING FLANGE AND

REINFORCING PLATE FOR FLUSH TYPE CLEANOUT FITTINGS ( see Fig. 18 )
( Clause 7.8 )
All dimensions in millimetres unless otherwise specified.
M AXIMUM MINIMUM THICKNESS OF BOLTING MINIMUM THICKNESS OF BOTTOM
T ANK FLANGE AND COVER PLATE, tc FOR REINFORCING PLATE, tb FOR
HEIGHT OPENING SIZE OPENING SIZE
                             
600 × 600 900 × 1 200 1 200 × 1 200 600 × 600 900 × 1 200 1 200 × 1 200
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
m
6.0 10 16 16 12 22 22
10.25 12 19 22 12 25 28
12.5 12 22 22 14 28 32
16.0 14 25 25 16 32 36
18.25 16 25 28 28 38 36
TABLE 16 THICKNESS AND HEIGHT OF SHELL REINFORCING PLATE

FOR CLEANOUT FITTINGS ( see Fig. 18 )
( Clause 7.8 )
All dimensions in millimetres unless otherwise specified.
M AXIMUM THICKNESS OF SHELL REINFORCING HEIGHT OF REINFORCING PLATE, L
T ANK PLATE, T FOR OPENING SIZE FOR OPENING SIZE
HEIGHT                              
600 600 900 1 200 1 200 1 200 600 600 900 × 1 200 1 200 × 1 200
× × × ×
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
m
6.00 t+3 t+2 t+3 850 1 400 1 700

10.25 t+5 t+3 t+6 850 1 400 1 700
12.50 t+6 t+5 t+6 850 1 400 1 700
16.00 t+10 t+8 t+10 850 1 400 1 700
18.25 t+12 t+6 t+12 850 1 400 1 700
t = thickness of first shell course.
NOTE 1 — Opening for a cleanout fitting shall be rectangular, except that the upper
corners of the opening shell have a radius at least equal to one-third the greatest
height of the clear opening. The width or height of the clear opening shall not exceed
1 200 mm.
NOTE 2 — The reinforced opening shall be completely preassembled into a first
course shell plate.
NOTE 3 — If any plate in the unit has a thickness greater than 16 mm, then the
attachment welds shall be thermally stress relieved at a temperature of 600 to
650°C for 1 hour per 25 mm of thickness.
56

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 18 T YPICAL FLUSH T YPE CLEANOUT FITTINGS ( see Tables 14, 15 and 16 )
57

I
S
:
8
0
3
-
1
9
7
6
5
8
FIG. 19 T YPICAL G AUGE-WELL INSTALLATION ON E XISTING

NOZZLE OF CONE ROOF T ANKS

IS : 803 - 1976
8.2 Straightening — Straightening of material shall be done by pressing

before being laid out or worked on in any way, or by methods that will not
injure it. Heating or hammering is not permissible unless the material is
heated to a forging temperature.
8.3 Plate Edge Preparation — The edges of plates may be sheared,
marked, chipped or machine oxygen-cut. Shearing shall be limited to
10.00 mm for butt-welded joints. When edges of plates are oxygen-cut, the
resulting surface shall be uniform, smooth and free from scale and slag
accumulations before welding. A fine film of rust adhering after wire
brushing on cut or sheared edges that are to be welded need not be
removed. Circumferential edges of roof and bottom sketch plates or
annulars may be manually oxygen-cut.
8.4 Shaping of Shell Plates — Shell plates may be shaped to suit the
curvature of the tank and erection procedure to the following schedule:
Nominal Plate Thickness, Min Nominal Tank Diameter
mm m
5 12 and less
10 20 and less
13 40 and less
16 All
Except where otherwise specified by the purchaser, all shell plates
shall be rolled to correct curvature.
8.5 Shop Painting — Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser,
painting shall be as specified in 8.5.1 to 8.5.3.
8.5.1 All roof structural members, stairways, handrails, etc, shall be
thoroughly cleaned and freed from rust and scale and painted with a
primary coat of an approved paint before despatch. Tank plates shall be
despatched unpainted.
8.5.2 Where facilities are available, it is recommended that the whole of
the tank material including mounting should have the mill scale removed
by pickling or alternatively by sand or shot-blasting and be painted with
an approved primer immediately after cleaning. Protective coatings may
be used on surfaces to be welded subject to their inclusion in a welding
procedure qualification test, and acceptance thereof.
8.5.3 All machined surfaces and bolts and nuts shall be left unpainted
and coated with an approved corrosion inhibitor in a petroleum base
before despatch.
8.6 Marking
8.6.1 All plates and structural members shall be marked in accordance
with a marking diagram to be supplied by the manufacturer, which shall
also bear such other marks as may be required to facilitate erection.
59

IS : 803 - 1976
8.6.2 Erection marks shall be painted clearly on plates and structural

members in white paint and shall be at least 50 mm high. In addition,
they shall be hand stamped in symbols not less than 12 mm high, which
in the case of plates, shall be in the corner approximately 150 mm from
either edge. For curved plates, such marks shall be on the concave side.
8.7 Packing — All projecting plates and all ends of members at joints
shall be stiffened, all straight plates shall be bundled, all screwed ends
and machined surfaces shall be suitably packed, all rivets, bolts, railing
connections and other small parts shall be packed separately and all
other tank material shall be suitably packed so as to prevent damage or
distortion during transit.
8.8 Inspection
8.8.1 The inspector shall have free access at all reasonable times to those
parts of the manufacturer ’s works which are concerned with the
fabrication of the steel work and shall be afforded all reasonable facilities
for satisfying himself that the fabrication is being undertaken in
accordance with the provisions of this standard.
8.8.2 Unless otherwise specified, inspection shall be made at the place of
manufacture prior to despatch and shall be conducted so as not to
interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the work.
8.8.3 The manufacturer shall guarantee compliance with the provisions of
this standard if required to do so by the purchaser.
8.8.4 Should any structure or part of a structure be found not to comply
with any of the provisions of this standard, it shall be liable to rejection.
No structure or part of the structure once rejected shall be resubmitted
for test except in cases where the purchaser or his authorized
representative considers the defect as rectifiable.
8.8.5 Defects which may appear during fabrication shall be made good in
a manner acceptable to the purchaser’s inspector.
8.8.6 All gauges and templates necessary to satisfy the inspector shall be
supplied by the manufacturer. The inspector may at his discretion check
the test results obtained at the manufacturer ’s works by independent
tests at the National Test House or elsewhere and should the material so
tested be found to be unsatisfactory, the cost of such tests shall be borne
by the manufacturer, and if satisfactory, the cost shall be borne by the
purchaser.
9. SITE ERECTION
9.1 Foundations
9.1.1 The foundation for receiving the tank bottom shall be provided by
the purchaser unless otherwise stated in the purchase order. It shall
60

IS : 803 - 1976
be properly consolidated. Where the bearing power of the soil is poor,

special soil investigation shall be carried out to determine the most
practical and economical procedure for stabilization of the tank
foundation and determination of maximum allowable tank height.
9.1.2 All reasonable care shall be taken to prevent damage to the
foundation during erection.
9.1.3 Level foundations shall be provided for tank erection. The
foundation should have adequate bearing power to maintain the levelness
of foundation till hydraulic test, which is essential for tank shells being
built to tolerances specified in 9.3.5.1.
9.1.3.1 Where concrete ringwalls are provided under the shell, the top of
the ringwall shall be level within ±3 mm in any 10 metres of
circumference and within ±6 mm in the total circumference.
9.1.3.2 Where concrete ringwalls are not provided, the foundation under
the shell shall be level within ±3 mm in any 3 metres of circumference and
within ±12 mm in the total circumference.
9.2 Preparation of Materials — All materials shall be inspected and
faired as necessary at site to ensure that any damage received during
transportation is corrected before erection to the satisfaction of the
purchaser ’s representative. Particular attention shall be given to the
removal of buckles and other forms of distortion in shell and bottom
plates. Irregularities and dirt which would prevent metal to metal contact
at the jointing faces shall be removed.
9.3 Erection of Plates
9.3.1 Plate Holding Devices — The method of holding the plates in
position during welding and all devices used for this purpose should be
approved by the purchaser.
9.3.2 The first course of shell plates shall be held in position by metal
clamps or other devices attached to the bottom plates whilst it is plumbed
and checked for circularity and before it is tack welded to the bottom.
9.3.3 Lap Joints — All lap joints shall be held in close contact during
welding and the surface in contact shall be thoroughly cleaned before
assembly.
9.3.4 Erection Holes and Attachments
9.3.4.1 Holes in platework to assist in erection should be avoided as far as
possible. The method of filling any holes made shall be approved by the
purchaser.
9.3.4.2 Lugs attached by welding to the tank and required only for the
purpose of erection shall be removed on completion of erection without
61

IS : 803 - 1976
damaging the parent metal. Such areas shall be inspected carefully and
shall be reinforced by weld deposit if required. All such weldments on the
exterior of tank shall be ground smooth to present a neat appearance.
9.3.5 Circularity and Shape
9.3.5.1 Tank shells shall be built to the following tolerances to produce a
tank of acceptable appearance and to permit proper functioning of
floating roofs. These tolerances may be waived by agreement between the
purchaser and the manufacturer:
a) The maximum out-of-plumbness of the top of the shell relative to the
bottom of the shell shall not exceed 1/200 of the total tank height.
b) Radii measured at 300 mm above the bottom corner weld shall not
exceed the following tolerances:
Diameter Range, m Radius Tolerance, mm
0 to 12 excluding ±12
Over 75 ±32
c) Peaking of vertical weld joints measured over an arc length of 1 m
shall not exceed 12 mm.
d) Bending of horizontal weld joints measured by a straightedge of 1 m
length shall not exceed 12 mm.
9.3.5.2 The top of the tank shell shall be carefully checked for circularity,
dimensions and level before the roof members (fixed roof tank) or the
primary wind girder (floating roof tank) are erected.
9.3.6 Alignment
9.3.6.1 Plates to be joined by butt welding shall be matched accurately
and retained in position during the welding operation. Misalignment in
completed vertical joints shall not exceed 10 percent of the plate thickness
or 1.5 mm for plates 20 mm thick and under, and 3 mm for plates over
20 mm thick, whichever is the larger.
9.3.6.2 In completed horizontal butt joints, the upper plate shall not
project beyond the face of the lower plate at any point by more than 20
percent of the thickness of the upper plate, with a maximum of 3 mm,
except that a projection of 1.5 mm is permissible of upper plate less than
8 mm thick.
9.3.7 Tank shells shall be safeguarded from damage due to wind by
provision of steel wire guys or any other means until completion of roof
framing or the wind girder in the case of an open top tank.
62

IS : 803 - 1976
9.4 Tolerances in Floating Roof Tanks

9.4.1 The differences in the gap between the shell and the periphery of
the roof during erection of the roof shall not exceed 12 mm from the
nominal gap.
9.4.2 The distance from the centre of the floating roof assembly to the
vertical face of its outer circumferential rim, prior to fitting the sealing
mechanism, shall have a tolerance of 12 mm for tanks up to 44-metre
diameter and 25 mm for tanks with diameters over 44 metres.
9.4.3 Notwithstanding the various tolerances for shell dimensions, and
the floating roof, the difference in the gap between the shell and the
periphery of the roof shall not exceed 50 mm from the nominal value or
such other limit specified by the manufacturer depending on the
adaptability of the sealing mechanism provided by the manufacturer.
10. SITE WELDING

10.1 General
10.1.1 Tanks and their structural attachments shall be welded by the
metal arc or submerged-arc process. The welding may be performed
manually, automatically or semi-automatically using suitable equipment.
10.1.2 The welding procedure in general and the qualification of welders
shall be as specified in IS : 823-1964* and IS : 817-1966 †.
10.2 Welding Sequence
10.2.1 The welding sequence for tack welding and final welding of the
bottom, shell and roof plates shall be such as to minimize the distortion
due to welding shrinkage.
10.2.2 The welding sequence to be adopted shall be the subject of
agreement between the purchaser and the erector.
10.3 Weather Conditions — Welding shall not be carried out when the
surfaces of the parts to be welded are wet from any cause and during
periods of rain and high winds unless the welder and work are properly
shielded. Welding shall not be done when the base metal temperature is
less than – 18°C. When the base metal temperature is between – 18°C
and 0°C or the thickness is in excess of 32 mm, the surface of the two
plates to be joined shall be pre-heated to a temperature warm to the hand
to a distance of not less than four times the plate thickness, or 75 mm,
whichever is the greater, in any direction, before welding is begun, and
during the course of the welding operation this pre-heat temperature
shall be maintained in the specified area.
*Code of procedure for manual metal arc welding of mild steel.
†Code of practice for training and testing of metal arc welders ( revised ).
63

IS : 803 - 1976
10.4 Electrodes — Electrodes shall be in accordance with IS : 814 (Part

I)-1974* or IS : 814 (Part II)-1974† as required. They shall be stored in a
dry place in their original packets or cartons.
10.5 Tack Welds — Tack welds used in the assembly of the vertical
joints of tank shells, and those used for assembling the shell to the bottom
shell be removed and shall not remain in the finished joint. Tack welds in
the bottom, roof and circumferential joints of the shell, and other joints,
need not be removed provided they are sound and the subsequent weld
beads are thoroughly fused into the tack welds.
10.6 Welding Procedure
10.6.1 Each layer of weld metal in multi-layer welding shall be cleaned of
slag and other deposits before the next layer is applied. Slag shall also be
removed from the finished welds before inspection.
10.6.2 The reverse side of full penetration butt joints shall be cleaned
thoroughly prior to the application of the first bead to this side, in a
manner that will leave the exposed surface suitable for the fusion of the
weld metal to be added. This may be done by chipping, grinding or
gouging, or when the back of the initial bead is smooth and free from
crevices which might entrap slag, by other methods which may, upon field
inspection, be acceptable to the purchaser.
10.6.3 The weld metal of both sides of all butt joints shall be built up so
that the finished face in the area of fusion extends above the surface of
the adjoining plates, or the thinner plate joined, preferably by not more
than 1.5 mm.
10.6.4 There shall be no undercutting of the base metal, except on
horizontal welds where undercutting up to 1 mm is permissible.
10.6.5 The edges of all welds shall merge with the surface of the adjoining
plates without a sharp angle.
10.6.6 Peening of welds shall not be carried out except by agreement
between the tank erector and the purchaser. In no case shall the final
layer of the weld be peened.
10.6.7 Welding procedures used shall produce weldments whose
mechanical properties are consistent with the plate material joined.
Welding procedure qualifications for vertical and horizontal welds for
design metal temperatures less than 10°C shall include impact tests in
the weld metal and heat affected zone. The impact tests shall show an
average of at least 25.5 N.m (2.5 kgf.m) at the design metal temperature.
*Specification for covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steel: Part I
For welding products other than sheets ( fourth revision ).
†Specification for covered electrodes for metal arc welding of structural steel: Part II
For welding sheets ( fourth revision ).
64

IS : 803 - 1976
Weld metal impact specimens shall be taken across the weld with the
notch in the weld metal. The specimen shall be oriented so that the notch
is normal to the surface of the material. One face of the specimen shall be
substantially parallel to and within 1.5 mm of the surface of material 25
mm and thinner. For material more than 25 mm thickness, the impact
specimens shall be taken as near midway between the surface and the
centre of thickness as practical.
Heat-affected zone impact specimens shall be taken across the weld
and as near the surface of the material as is practical. The specimens
shall be of sufficient length to locate, after etching, the notch in the
heat-affected zone. The notch shall be cut approximately normal to the
material surface to include as much heat-affected zone material as
possible in the resulting fracture.
10.7 Inspection
10.7.1 The purchaser’s inspector shall have at all times free entry to all
parts of the job while work under the contract is being performed. The
manufacturer shall afford to purchaser’s inspector, free of cost, reasonable
facilities to assure him that the work is being performed in accordance
with this standard.
10.7.2 Material damaged by defective workmanship, or otherwise
defective, shall be rejected. The manufacturer shall be liable to furnish
new material promptly or correct defective workmanship to the
satisfaction of the purchaser’s inspectors.
11. RADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION OF SHELL JOINTS
11.1 Application — Spot radiographic inspection by X-ray or gamma-
ray shall be confined to shell joints on tanks where a joint efficiency factor
of 0.85 is specified. Procedure and technique adopted shall be in
accordance with IS : 1182-1967* and IS : 2595-1963 †.
11.2 Preparation for Examination — All butt-welded joints to be
radiographed shall be prepared as follows:
The weld ripples or weld surface irregularities on both the inside
and outside shall be removed by any suitable mechanical process to
such a degree that the radiographic contrast resulting from any
irregularities cannot mask or be confused with the image or any
objectionable defect. Also, the weld surface shall merge smoothly into
the plate surface. The finished surface of the reinforcement may be
flush with the plate or may have a reasonable uniform crown not to
exceed the following values:
*Recommended practice for radiographic examination of fusion welded butt joints in

steel plates ( first revision ).
†Code of practice for radiographic testing.
65

IS : 803 - 1976
Plate Thickness Maximum Thickness of Reinforcement

mm mm
Up to 12, including 1.5
Over 12 and up to 25 including 2.5
Over 25 3
11.3 Number and Location of Radiographs
11.3.1 Radiographs shall be taken as follows:
a) Vertical joints — One spot radiograph shall be taken in the first 3 m
of completed vertical joint of each type and thickness welded by each
welder or welding operator. Thereafter, without regard to the
number of welders or welding operators working thereon, one
additional spot radiograph shall be taken in each additional 25 m
(approximately), and any remaining major fraction thereof, of
vertical joints of the same type and thickness. At least 25 percent of
the selected spots shall be at junctions of vertical and horizontal
joints, with a minimum of two such intersections per tank.
b) Horizontal joints — Where complete penetration and complete
fusion are specified, one spot radiograph shall be taken in the first
3 m of completed horizontal joint of the same type and thickness
(based on the thickness of the thicker plate at the joint), without
regard to the number of welders or welding operators working
thereon. Thereafter, one radiograph shall be taken in each
additional 50 m (approximately) and any remaining major fraction
thereof, of horizontal joint of the same type and thickness.
c) For the purpose of this section, plates shall be considered of the same
thickness when the difference in the specified or design thickness
does not exceed 0.8 mm.
d) When two or more tanks are erected in the same location for the
same purchaser, either concurrently or continuously, the number of
spot radiographs to be taken may be based on the aggregate length
of welds of the same type and thickness in each group of tanks
rather than on the length of weld in each individual tank.
11.3.2 It is to be recognized that the same welder or welding operator may
or may not weld both sides of the same butt joint. It is therefore permissible
to inspect the work of two welders or welding operators with one spot
radiograph if they weld opposite sides of the same butt joint. When a spot
radiograph is rejected, it shall be determined by further spot radiographs
whether one or both welders or welding operators were at fault.
11.3.3 As far as possible, an equal number of spot radiographs shall be
taken from the work of each welder or welding operator, except that this
requirement shall not apply where the length of joint welded by a welder
or welding operator is much less than average.
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IS : 803 - 1976
11.3.4 The locations for taking spot radiographs may be determined by

the purchaser’s inspector.
11.3.5 As welding progresses, radiographs shall be taken as soon as
practicable.
11.4 Film — Each radiograph shall clearly show a minimum of 150 mm
of weld length. The film shall be centred on the weld and shall be of
sufficient width to permit adequate space for the location of identification
marks and thickness gauge or penetrometer.
11.5 Film Defects — All radiographs shall be free from excessive
mechanical processing defects which would interfere with proper
interpretation of the radiographs.
11.6 Submission of Radiographs — Prior to any repairs of welds, the
radiographs shall be submitted to the inspector, who may be nominated
by the purchaser, with such information as he may request regarding the
radiographic technique used.
11.7 Radiographic Standards — Sections of welds which are shown by
radiography to have any of the following imperfections, shall be judged
unacceptable:
a) Any crack, incomplete fusion, or incomplete penetration.
b) Any individual elongated inclusion having a length greater than
two-thirds the thickness of the thinner plate of the joint. However,
regardless of the plate thickness, no such inclusion shall be longer
than 20 mm, and no such inclusion shorter than 6 mm shall be the
cause for rejection.
c) Any group of inclusions in line, where the sum of the longest
dimensions of all such imperfections is greater than T (where T is
the thickness of the thinner plate joined) in a length of 6T , except
when each of the individual spaces between imperfections is greater
than three times the length of the longer of the adjacent
imperfections. When the length of the radiograph is less than 6 T ,
the permissible sum of the lengths of all inclusions shall be
proportionately less than T , provided the limits of the deficient
welding are clearly defined.
d) Porosity in excess of that shown as acceptable in the following
specifications:
1) The total area of porosity as determined from the radiographic
film shall not exceed 0.060T mm 2 in any 150 mm length of weld,
where T is the thickness of the weld. If the weld is less than
150 mm long, the total area of porosity shall be reduced in
proportion. The maximum pore dimension shall be 20 percent of T
or 3 mm, whichever is smaller, except that an isolated pore
67

IS : 803 - 1976
separated from an adjacent pore by 25 mm or more may be 30

percent of T or 6 mm, whichever is less. Dark images of a
generally circular or oval shape shall be interpreted as porosity
for the purposes of this standard.
2) The porosity charts in Fig. 20 to 23 illustrate various types of
assorted and uniform, randomly dispersed porosity indications.
These charts represent the maximum acceptable porosity for each
thickness. The charts represent full-scale 150 mm radiographs
and shall not be enlarged or reduced. The porosity distributions
shown are not necessarily the patterns that may appear on the
radiograph but are typical of the number and size of indications
permitted. When porosity indications differ significantly from the
porosity charts, the actual numbers and sizes of the pores may be
measured and the total area of porosity calculated.
3) In any 25 mm length of weld or 2T , whichever is smaller, porosity
may be clustered to a concentration four times that permitted by
0.060T . Such clustered porosity shall be included in the porosity
in any 150 mm length of weld which includes the cluster.
4) Aligned porosity shall be acceptable, provided the summation of
the diameters of the pores is not more than T in a length 12 T or
150 mm, whichever is less. However, each pore shall be separated
by a distance at least six times the diameter of the largest
adjacent pore. Aligned porosity indications shall be counted in
the total area of permissible indications in any 100 mm length
of weld.
5) Permissible porosity indications for weld thicknesses
intermediate to those illustrated may be evaluated either by
comparison with the next thinner material or by calculation, as
shown in Table 17.
11.8 Determination of Limits of Defective Welding — When a
section of weld is shown by a radiograph to be unacceptable under the
provisions of 11.7, or the limits of the deficient welding are not defined by
such radiograph, two adjacent spots shall be examined by radiography.
However, if the original radiograph shows at least 75 mm of acceptable
weld between the defect and any one edge of the film, an additional
radiograph need not be taken of the weld on that side of the defect. If
the weld at either of the two adjacent sections fails to comply with
the requirements of 11.7, additional nearby spots shall be examined until
the limits of unacceptable welding are determined; or the erector may
replace all the welding performed by the welder or welding operator on
that joint. If the welding is replaced, the inspector shall have the option of
requiring that one radiograph be taken at any selected location on
any other joint on which the same welder (or operator) has welded. If any
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IS : 803 - 1976
of such additional spots fails to comply with the requirements of 11.7, the
limits of unacceptable welding shall be determined as specified for the
initial section.
11.9 Repair of Defective Welds — Defects in welds shall be repaired by
chipping or melting out such defects from one or from both sides of the
joint, as required, and rewelding. Only sufficient cutting out of defective
joints is required as is necessary to correct the defects.
All repaired welds in joints shall be checked by repeating the original
test procedure.
11.10 Record of Radiographic Examination — A record shall be
made by the erector of all films, with their identification marks, on a
developed shell plate diagram.
After the completion of the structure, the films shall be the property of
the purchaser, unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the
erector.
TABLE 17 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE POROSITY INDICATIONS IN

RADIOGRAPHS PER 150 mm LENGTH OF WELD ( see Fig. 20 to 23 )
[ Clause 11.7( d )(5) ]
WELD TOTAL A REA L ARGE PORES MEDIUM PORE FINE PORE
THICKNESS OF PERMITTED                     
POROSITY Size Number Size Number Size Number

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
cm2 mm mm mm
3 0.05 — — — — 0.40 40
6 0.10 — — 0.6 31 0.40 100
12 0.20 2.5 4 0.80 40 0.50 101
20 0.30 3.2 4 0.90 50 0.60 99
25 0.40 3.2 5 1.0 50 0.70 101
40 0.60 3.2 7 1.20 50 0.90 99
50 0.80 3.2 10 1.4 51 1.0 100
12. TESTING OF TANKS

12.1 Bottom Testing
12.1.1 After the bottom and at least the bottom course of shell plates have
been welded, the bottom shall be tested by pumping air beneath the
bottom plates to a pressure just sufficient to lift them off the foundation
and in any case, not less than 100 mmH 2O gauge. The pressure shall be
held by the construction of a temporary dam of clay or other suitable
material around the tank periphery. Soap suds or other suitable material
shall be applied to all joints for detection of leaks.
69

IS : 803 - 1976
12.1.2 Subject to agreement of the purchaser, fuel oil may be used instead
of air and soap suds to test for leaks.
12.1.3 Alternatively, the bottom seams may be tested by the vacuum box
method. Figure 24 shows typical details of a vacuum box.
12.2 Shell Testing
12.2.1 The shells of fixed roof tanks shall be tested after the completion of
the roof; those of open-top or floating roof tanks after completion of the
wind girder. Whenever possible, testing shall be by filling the tank with
water to the level of the top leg of the top-curb angle and noting any leaks.
When floating roofs are erected by floatation method, the shell shall be
tested concurrently with erection.
12.2.2 Where local conditions are such that testing with water is
impractical, the tank shall be tested by painting or spraying all joints on
the inside with a highly penetrating oil and noting any leaks, or by
pressurising the tank with air, the air pressure not exceeding the weight
of the roof plates, and carefully examining the joints for any leakage by
means of soap suds.
12.3 Fixed Roof Testing
12.3.1 When the tank-shell is tested with water, the roof shall be tested
by pumping air under the roof plates while the tank is still full of water.
In the case of non-pressure tanks, the roof shall be tested to a pressure of
73 mmH2O gauge; in the case of pressure roof tanks to a pressure of
one-and-a-quarter times the pressure at which the pressure side of the
pressure/vacuum-relief valve is designed to open. Soap suds or other
suitable material shall be applied to all joints for the detection of leaks.
Alternatively, the roof weld seams may be tested by vacuum box method.
12.3.2 When water is not available for testing the tank-shell, the roof
shall be tested by air as described in 12.2.2.
12.4 Repair of Leaks
12.4.1 All leaks detected during testing shall be repaired to the
satisfaction of the purchaser and on completion the entire tanks shall be
tight and free from leaks.
12.4.2 In the joints between roof plates only, pinhole leaks may be
repaired by mechanical caulking. However, where there is any indication
of considerable porosity the leaks shall be sealed by laying down an
additional layer of weld metal over the porous sections.
12.4.3 In all other joints, whether between shell plates or bottom plates or
both, leaks shall be repaired only by welding, if necessary, after first
cutting out the defective part.
12.4.4 When the tank is filled with water for testing, defects in the shell
joints shall be repaired with the water level at least 300 mm below the
joint being repaired.
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IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 20 R ADIOGRAPHIC POROSITY STANDARDS — T YPICAL NUMBER AND SIZE

PERMITTED IN A NY 150 mm LENGTH OF WELD, 12 mm W ELD THICKNESS
( see T ABLE 17 ), TOTAL PORE A REA PERMITTED 0.20 cm2
71

IS : 803 - 1976

72

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73

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74

IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 24 DETAIL OF T YPICAL V
ACUUM BOX
75

IS : 803 - 1976
12.4.5 No welding shall be done on any tank unless all lines connecting
thereto have been completely blanked off. No repairs shall be attempted
on tanks while filled with oil, nor any tanks which have contained oil
until the tanks have been emptied, cleaned and gas freed in a safe
manner. No repairs shall be attempted by the erector on a tank which has
contained oil except in a manner approved in writing by the purchaser,
and in the absence of the purchaser’s inspector.
A P P E N D I X A
( Clause 3.3 )
INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY PURCHASER
A-1. The following information shall be supplied by the purchaser in his

enquiry:
a) Location of tank;
b) Nominal capacity of tank;
c) Tank diameter and/or height restrictions;
d) Internal tank pressure and/or vacuum;
e) Rate of filling and emptying tank;
f) Product to be stored, its design specific gravity;
g) Minimum ambient temperature where tank is located or design
metal temperature;
h) Corrosion allowance for shell, bottom, roof, structure and other
parts;
j) Maximum wind speeds;
k) Earthquake factor;
m) Any additional loads to be considered for tank design;
n) Type of foundation, and bearing capacity of the soil;
p) List of mountings required and their location on the tank;
q) Type of bottom construction — lap or butt welded;
r) Type of roof, namely, cone, dome or open-top. In case of supported
cone column supported or truss supported;
s) Extent of painting required and surface preparation; and
t) Scope of supply of tank manufacturer.
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IS : 803 - 1976
A P P E N D I X B
( Clause 6.3.9 )
ALTERNATE DESIGN FOR TANK SHELLS
B-1. GENERAL
B-1.1 The rules given in this appendix permit the use of a higher design
stress and a design based on the specific gravity of the product to be
stored. These rules can be applied only when specified by the purchaser.
B-1.2 The purchaser should give special consideration to foundations,
corrosion allowance, or any other protective measures deemed necessary.
Shells designed on the basis of these rules shall incorporate all provisions
of this appendix. For all other details, provisions of the code shall apply.
B-2. MATERIALS
B-2.1 Plate materials specified in 4.1 shall be used without impact testing
on tank shells and its reinforcements under these rules for design metal
temperatures greater than 10°C.
B-2.2 For temperatures lower than 10°C, up to – 20°C materials listed
in 4.1, with the exception of steel conforming to IS : 226-1975*, steels
shall be used and shall demonstrate adequate notch toughness at the
design metal temperature. Each plate as rolled shall be impact tested at
the design metal temperature to show that the average of three Charpy
V-notch full sized specimens is a minimum of 4 kgf.m (longitudinal) or 2.5
kgf.m (transverse).
B-2.3 Plate materials used for insert type reinforcement in thickness
greater than 50 mm shall conform to IS : 2002-1962† Grade 2B or
IS : 2041-1962‡ and shall meet test requirements as specified above.
B-2.4 Piping and flanges used shall meet specifications listed under 4.5
and 4.6 respectively and shall have a minimum Charpy V-notch impact
strength of 20 N.m (2 kgf.m) (full sized specimen) at the design metal
temperature when it is below 10 °C.
B-3. ALLOWABLE STRESS
B-3.1 The maximum allowable stress including the joint efficiency factor
for designing shells shall be 0.7 of the minimum yield stress or 0.4 of the
minimum ultimate tensile stress whichever is less, except that an
additional safety factor of 1.05 shall be considered in computing maximum
allowable stress values for designing the bottom course of tank shells.

†Specification for steel plates for boilers.
‡Specification for steel plates for pressure vessels.
77

IS : 803 - 1976
B-4. PLATE THICKNESS

B-4.1 The minimum thickness of shell plates shall not be less than that
calculated from the following formula or according to 6.3.3.2 whichever is
greater:
4.9 ( H 0.3 ) D × G
–
t = -------------------------------------------------------- + c where S is in N/mm2

S
or
50 ( H 0.3 ) D × G
–
= ------------------------------------------------------ + c where S is in kgf/cm 2

S
where
t = minimum thickness in mm;
D = nominal diameter of tank in m;
H = height from the bottom of the course under consideration to top
curb angle or to bottom of any overflow which limits tank filling
height in m;
G = specific gravity of liquid to be stored;
S = allowable stress as computed from B-3.1; and
c = corrosion allowance in mm to be specified by purchaser, but not
less than 1.5 mm.
B-4.2 The manufacturer may use a combination of high strength steel for
lower courses and low strength steel for upper courses, provided that the
thickness of any course is not less than the course immediately above it.
B-5. HYDROSTATIC STRESSES
B-5.1 Stresses in plates due to hydrostatic loading shall not exceed 3/7 of
minimum ultimate tensile stress of the material used. Plate thicknesses
determined by B-4.1 or 6.3.3.2 shall be checked for hydrostatic stresses S1
by the following equation and shall be increased as required to keep it
within specified limits:
4.9 ( H 0.3 ) D
S1 = --------------------------------------------- N/mm2 ≤ 3/7 Min UTS
–
t
or
50 ( H 0.3 ) D
= ------------------------------------------- kgf/cm2 ≤ 3/7 Min UTS
–
t
B-6. SHELL CONNECTIONS
B-6.1 All shell opening connections which require reinforcement shall be
attached by welds fully penetrating the shell. Where insert type
reinforcements, shown in Fig. 25, are used, they shall be butt-welded into
the shell as shown, with the welds having complete penetration and
78

IS : 803 - 1976
fusion. Welds attaching manholes and nozzles into these insert plates
may have partial penetration as shown in Fig. 25.
B-6.2 All opening connections 300 mm or larger in nominal diameter
welded into a shell plate exceeding 25 mm in thickness shall be
prefabricated into the shell plate of thickened insert plate and this complete
assembly shall be stress-relieved before erection. Alternatively, all
weldments and the heat-affected zones on this assembly may be locally
stress-relieved by electric induction heating method, however, prior to
welding the plate assembly into the tank. The stress-relieving requirements
do not apply to the weld to the bottom annular plate, except for flush type
cleanout openings. All flush types cleanout openings, including the bottom
reinforcing plate or annular plate shall be stress-relieved.
B-6.2.1 Where stress relief has been performed, the spacing from the
periphery weld to a shell butt-weld shall be at least 150 mm from vertical
joints or 75 mm from horizontal joints provided that, in either case, the
spacing is not less than 3 times the shell thickness. These rules shall also
apply to the bottom-to-shell joint except that, as an alternative the insert
plate or reinforcing plate may extend to and intersect the bottom-to-shell
joint at approximately 90°.
B-6.3 All welds attaching manholes and nozzles shall be examined by
magnetic particle inspection, after stress-relieving if any, but before the
hydrostatic test of the tank.
B-6.4 Flush type cleanout openings in accordance with 7.8 are
permissible with the following exception:
a) The material for shell plate in the cleanout opening assembly, the
shell reinforcing plate, the tank bottom reinforcing plate and the
neck plate shall conform to requirements of B-2.
b) The maximum height of the opening in the shell shall not exceed
900 mm.
c) The upper corner radius r1 of a 900 × 1 200 mm shell opening ( see
Table 14 ) shall be 600 mm.
B-6.5 Piping attached to nozzles on the shell shall be designed to have
maximum flexibility to eliminate or minimize loads on the shell connections
imposed by its restraint. Nozzle reinforcements shall also be designed to
take care of any additional loading caused by piping or other attachments.
B-7. RADIOGRAPHY
B-7.1 The following additional radiography over the requirements specified
in 11 shall be carried out on tanks built under the rules of this appendix:
a) On shell plates up to 10 mm thickness, one additional radiograph
shall be taken on all vertical joints.
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IS : 803 - 1976
FIG. 25 INSERT T YPE REINFORCEMENT FOR M ANHOLES AND NOZZLES
80

IS : 803 - 1976
b) On shell plates greater than 10 mm and up to and including 25 mm,

all the joints shall be radiographed showing at least 50 mm of
horizontal weld on either side of the intersection. On the lowest
course, one additional radiograph shall be taken as close as
practicable to the shell/bottom fillet weld.
c) On shell plates greater than 25 mm, vertical welds shall be fully
radiographed. Additionally, all the joints shall be radiographed
showing at least 50 mm of horizontal weld on either side of the
intersection.
d) Butt welds around insert type reinforcements shall be fully
radiographed.
B-8. WELDING PROCEDURES AND INSPECTION
B-8.1 Low-hydrogen electrodes shall be used for all manual metal-arc
welds of shell courses having a thickness of 14 mm or more.
B-8.2 Welding procedures used shall produce weldments whose
mechanical properties are consistent with the plate material joined.
Welding procedure qualifications for vertical and horizontal welds for
design metal temperatures less than 10°C shall include impact tests in
the weld metal and heat-affected zone. The impact tests shall show an
average of at least 25 N.m (2.5 kgf.m) at the design metal temperature.
B-8.2.1 Weld metal impact specimens shall be taken across the weld with
the notch in the weld metal. The specimen shall be oriented so that the
notch is normal to the surface of the material. One face of the specimen
shall be substantially parallel to and within 1.5 mm of the surface of
material 25 mm and thinner. For material more than 25 mm thickness,
the impact specimens shall be taken as near midway between the surface
and the centre of thickness as practical.
B-8.2.2 Heat-affected zone impact specimens shall be taken across the
weld and as near the surface of the material as is practical. The
specimens shall be of sufficient length to locate, after etching, the notch in
the heat-affected zone. The notch shall be cut approximately normal to
the material surface to include as much heat-affected zone material as
possible in the resulting fracture.
B-8.3 When the service conditions might include the presence of hydrogen
sulphide, it is recommended that consideration be given to the hardness of
the inside welds, including the heat-affected zone, in order to minimize the
possibility of stress corrosion cracking. The weld metal and adjacent
heat-affected zone often contain a zone of hardness well in excess of RC 22
and could be expected to be more susceptible to cracking than unwelded
material. Any hardness criteria should be a matter of agreement between
the purchaser and the manufacturer and should be based on an evaluation
of the expected hydrogen sulphide concentration in the product, the
81

IS : 803 - 1976
possibility of moisture being present on the inside metal surface, and the
strength and hardness characteristics of base metal and weld metal.
B-9. FOUNDATION
B-9.1 The selection of the tank site and the design and construction of the
foundation shall be given careful consideration in order to ensure
adequate tank support. Concrete ringwall foundations shall be considered.
The adequacy of the foundation is the responsibility of the purchaser.
A P P E N D I X C
( Clause 6.4.2.5 )
VENT SIZING FOR ATMOSPHERIC AND LOW PRESSURE
TANKS
C-1. SCOPE
C-1.1 This appendix applies to the normal and emergency venting
requirements for above ground fixed-roof tanks for liquid petroleum
storage, designed to specifications of this code. The following rules outline
safe and reasonable practices for the normal climatic and normal
operating conditions.
C-1.2 Where abnormal conditions exist or are anticipated, such as tanks
containing heated oil, receiving oil from wells or traps, using flame
arrestors or such restrictions and tanks subjected to pipe line surges,
larger venting capacity than that indicated by the provisions of this
appendix may have to be provided.
C-2. DETERMINATION OF VENTING REQUIREMENTS

C-2.1 Venting requirements shall be computed for the following
conditions:
a) Vacuum or inbreathing owing to maximum outflow of oil from tank.
b) Vacuum or inbreathing owing to vapour contraction resulting from a
sharp decrease in atmospheric temperature.
c) Pressure or outbreathing caused by maximum inflow of oil into
tanks and the resulting maximum evaporation.
d) Pressure or outbreathing due to expansion and evaporation caused
by maximum increase in atmospheric temperatures (thermal
breathing).
e) Pressure or outbreathing owing to fire exposure.
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IS : 803 - 1976
C-3. NORMAL VENTING CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

C-3.1 Normal venting capacity shall be computed without exceeding the
normal operating pressure or vacuum conditions, thus avoiding physical
damage to the tank.
C-3.2 Total normal venting capacity shall not be less than the total of the
venting requirements arising out of oil movement and thermal effect. For
tanks storing volatile liquids, the required normal venting capacity may
be reduced since vapour formation and condensation which occur within
the permissible vessel operating pressure, shall provide the venting
requirements partially or fully. This should be taken into account where
noncondensables are present.
C-3.3 Vacuum Relief
C-3.3.1 Venting capacity required to be provided for maximum oil
movement from the tank should be equivalent to 15 m3 per hour of
maximum emptying rate. This also includes gravitational flow of oil to
other tanks, for oils of any flash point.
C-3.3.2 For tanks storing oils of any flash point venting capacity required
resulting from thermal inbreathing shall not be less than that shown in
col 2 of Table 18.
C-3.4 Pressure Relief
C-3.4.1 Venting capacity required for maximum movement of oil into
tank and the resulting evaporation, should be equivalent to:
a) 17.5 m3 of free air per hour for each 15 m 3 per hour of maximum
filling rate, for oils with a flash point of 40 °C or above; and
b) 35 m3 of free air per hour for each 15 m 3 per hour of maximum
filling rate for oils with a flash point below 40°C.
C-3.4.2 Venting capacity required for thermal outbreathing, including
thermal evaporation, for a given tank capacity should be equivalent to:
a) values shown in col 3 of Table 18 for oils with a flash point of 40°C or
above, and
b) value shown in col 4 of Table 18 for oils with a flash point below
40°C.
C-4. EMERGENCY VENTING CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS
C-4.0 In the event of a storage tank getting exposed to fire, the venting
rate may be in excess of that resulting from a combination of normal
thermal effects and oil movement. Provision of additional venting
capacity in such cases shall be dictated by the type of construction.
C-4.1 Tanks Having a Weak Roof-to-Shell Attachment — In the case
of fixed roof tanks with a roof-to-shell attachment (maximum 5 mm
83

IS : 803 - 1976
single-fillet weld) excess pressure will be safely relieved by the

preferential failure of the weak roof-to-shell junction, should the normal
venting capacity prove inadequate. Provision of additional emergency
venting requirements will not be necessary for tanks built to such
specification.
C-4.2 Tanks Without Weak Roof-to-Shell Connection — For tanks
not having a weak roof-to-shell connection as described in C-4.1, the
required venting capacity for fire exposure will be evaluated as outlined
below:
a) For tanks designed for pressures of 10 N/cm2 (1 kgf/cm2) or below,
the total rate of venting shall be determined in accordance with
Table 19. No increase in venting is required for tanks with more
than 280 m2 of exposed wetted surface.
b) For tanks and storage vessels designed for pressures over 10 N/cm2
(1 kgf/cm2) the total rate of venting shall be determined in
accordance with Table 19 for the exposed wetted area not exceeding
280 m2. For exposed wetted area exceeding 280 m 2, the total rate of
venting shall be calculated by the following formula:
CMH = 220 A0.82
where
CMH = venting requirement in m3 of free air per hour at
10 N/cm2 (1 kgf/cm2) and 15°C, and
A = exposed wetted surface in m2.
Wetted area for the tank shall be the total exposed area of the shell in
m2 within a maximum height of 10 m above grade.
C-4.3 The total venting requirements in m 3 of free air as enumerated in
Table 19 and derived from the formula given in C-4.2 (b) are based on the
assumption that the liquid contained in the storage vessel will have
similar characteristics as that of hexane since this will provide results
which are within an acceptable degree of accuracy as desired, the total
emergency venting requirement for any specific liquid may be determined
by the following formula:
750
CMH of free air = V . --------------
L M
where
V = volume of free air in m3 per hour from Table 19 or the formula
in C-4.2 (b),
L = latent heat of vaporization of the specific liquid in calories per
gram, and
M = molecular mass of the specific liquid.
84

IS : 803 - 1976
C-4.4 Since the normal thermal effect can be disregarded during a fire,
full credit may be taken for the vent capacity provided for normal venting
and it can also be assumed that there will be no oil movement into the
tanks.
C-4.5 Total venting capacity shall in no case be less than the values
enumerated in Table 19 and in the event of the normal vents being
inadequate, additional emergency vents of the type described in C-5.1(b)
shall be provided.
C-4.6 The vent size may be calculated on the basis of maximum allowable
working pressure.
C-4.7 The total rate of emergency venting as obtained from C-4.2(a)
and C-4.2(b) may be multiplied appropriately by one of the following
factors when additional protection is provided:
a) 0.5 when drainage is provided away from the tank or vessel.
b) 0.3, 0.15 and 0.075 when 25 mm, 50 mm and 100 mm thickness of
external insulation is provided respectively.
C-5. NORMAL VENTING
C-5.1 Normal venting shall be accomplished by a pilot-operated relief
valve, pressure relief valve, pressure vacuum (PV) valve, or an open vent
with or without a flame-arresting device in accordance with the following
requirements:
a) A pilot-operated relief valve, if used, shall be so designed that the
main valve will open automatically and protect the tank in the event
of failure of the pilot valve diaphragm or other essential functioning
device. Relief valves equipped with a weight and level, as far as
possible, should not be used.
b) A pressure relief valve is applicable on tanks operating above
atmospheric pressure; in cases where a vacuum can be created
within a tank, vacuum protection may be required.
c) PV valves are recommended for use on atmospheric storage tanks in
which oil with a flash point below 38°C is stored and for use on tanks
containing oil which is heated above the flash point of the oil. A
flame arrester is not considered necessary for use in conjunction
with a PV valve.
d) Open vents with a flame-arresting device may be used in place of PV
valves on tanks in which oil with a flash point below 38°C is stored
and on tanks containing oil which is heated above the flash point of
the oil.
e) Open vents may be used to provide venting capacity for tanks in
which oil with a flash point of 38 °C above is stored, for heated tanks
where the oil storage temperature is below the oil flash point, for
tanks with a capacity of less than 10 m 3 used for the storage of any
85

IS : 803 - 1976
product, and for tanks with a capacity of less than 500 m 3 used for
the storage of crude oil.
f) In the case of viscous oils, such as cutback and penetration grade
asphalts, where the danger of tank collapse resulting from sticking
pallets or from plugging of flame arrestors is greater than the
possibility of flame transmission into the tank, open vents may be
used as an exception to the requirement for PV valves or
flame-arresting devices as called for in (c) and (d) above.
TABLE 18 THERMAL VENTING CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

( Clauses C-3.3.2 and C-3.4.2 )
[Expressed in cubic metres of free air per hour at 10 N/cm2 (1 kgf/cm2) and 15°C]
T ANK C APACITY V
ACUUM PRESSURE (OUTBREATHING)
(INBREATHING)                 
Flash Point Flash Point
40°C or Above Below 40°C
(1) (2) (3) (4)
m3
7.5 1.75 1.25 1.75

12 3 1.75 3
60 15 8.5 15
120 30 17 30
240 60 35 60
360 86 50 85
480 115 70 115
600 145 85 145
1 200 285 170 285
1 800 425 255 425
2 400 570 340 570
3 000 680 425 680
3 600 795 485 795
4 200 880 540 880
4 800 965 595 965
5 400 1 050 655 1 050
6 000 1 135 680 1 135
7 200 1 245 765 1 245
8 350 1 360 825 1 360
9 550 1 475 880 1 475
10 750 1 590 965 1 590
11 950 1 700 1 020 1 700
14 300 1 925 1 160 1 925
16 700 2 125 1 275 2 125
19 100 2 325 1 415 2 325
21 500 2 550 1 530 2 550
NOTE — For tanks with intermediate capacities, values may be computed by

interpolation.
86

IS : 803 - 1976
TABLE 19 TOTAL RATE OF EMERGENCY VENTING REQUIRED FOR FIRE

EXPOSURE VERSUS WETTED SURFACE AREA
( Clauses C-4.2, C-4.3 and C-4.5 )
[Wetted area versus cubic metres of free air per hour at 10 N/cm2 (1 kgf/cm 2) and 15°C]
WETTED A REA V ENTING REQUIREMENT
(1) (2)
m2 m3 /h
2 600
3 900
4 1 200
5 1 500
6 1 800
7 2 100
8 2 400
9 2 700
10 3 000
12 3 600
14 4 200
16 4 800
18 5 400
20 6 000
25 6 800
30 7 500
35 8 200
40 8 850
50 10 000
60 11 100
70 12 150
80 13 100
90 14 000
100 14 850
120 15 800
140 16 650
160 17 400
180 18 100
200 18 750
240 19 950
280 21 000
NOTE — For exposed wetted surfaces with more than 280 m2 area, see C-4.2(a),
C-4-2(b) and C-4.4. For intermediate values of wetted surface area, venting
requirement should be evaluated by interpolation.
87

IS : 803 - 1976
C-6. EMERGENCY VENTING

C-6.1 Emergency venting of a tank may be achieved by the use of:
a) larger or additional open vents within limitations specified in C-5,
b) larger or additional pressure-vacuum valves or pressure relief valves,
c) a gauge hatch or a manhole whose cover will lift under abnormal
internal pressure,
d) a weak roof-to-shell attachment (weaker than the weakest vertical
joint in the shell or shell-to-bottom joint) for preferential failure
under abnormal internal pressure, and
NOTE — This shall not be used as a means of emergency venting a tank within a
building.
e) other types of construction with provision for pressure relief.
A P P E N D I X D
( Clause 6.5 )
FLOATING ROOFS
D-1. SCOPE
D-1.1 This appendix furnishes minimum requirements to be considered in
the design and construction of pontoon, double-deck type floating roofs, and
covered floating roofs where a pan roof is installed within a fixed roof tank.
D-1.2 Floating roof tanks are mainly intended for protection of stored
products against evaporation and fire. Floating roofs control evaporation
which is characteristic of some crude oil and other petroleum products.
They eliminate filling losses and the vapour space above the product, thus
minimizing possible fire hazard and reaction of the product with air. Use
of floating roofs can be extended to products having absolute vapour
pressures up to 12.25 N/cm 2 (1.25 kgf/cm2) and containing small
percentages of air-vapour explosive mixtures.
D-2. GENERAL
D-2.1 The floating roof and accessories shall be so designed and
constructed as to allow the tank to overflow and then return to a liquid
level which floats the roof well below the top of the tank shell without
damage to any part of the roof, tank or appurtenances. During such an
occurrence, no manual attention shall be required to protect any of these
components. If a wind skirt or top shell extension is used for the purpose
of containing the roof seals at the highest point of travel, overflow
drainage openings or other means of alarm shall be provided to indicate
88

IS : 803 - 1976
and regulate the rise of liquid level in the tank above the nominal height
of tank, unless the tank shell has been designed for a liquid height to the
top of the shell extension.
D-2.2 The purchaser shall specify whether the tank shell diameter and
height are nominal or whether a net capacity is required up to the bottom
of the overflows.
D-2.3 Where specified by the purchaser foam dams around the outer edge
of the roof shall be provided so that fire fighting foam can be kept in
contact with the top side of the roof seal.
D-3. DECK AND PONTOON DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
D-3.1 It is recommended that roofs be of the contact type designed to
eliminate the pressure of any air-vapour mixture under the deck.
Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, all deck plates shall have
a minimum nominal thickness of 5 mm (40 kg/m2 plate).
D-3.2 Deck plates shall be joined by continuous full fillet welds on the top
side. On the bottom side where flexure is anticipated adjacent to girders,
support legs, or other relatively rigid members, full-fillet welds not less
than 50 mm long on 250 mm centres shall be used on any plate laps which
occur within 300 mm of any such rigid support or member.
D-3.3 In the case of a covered floating roof, the outer rim of the floating
roof and the necks of any appurtenances installed through the deck shall
have a minimum height of 200 mm.
D-3.4 Top decks of double-deck roofs and of pontoon sections, which are
designed with a permanent slope for drainage, shall have a minimum
slope of 5 mm in 300 mm and preferably shall be lapped to provide the
best drainage. Plate buckles shall be kept to a minimum.
D-3.5 The minimum pontoon volume of a single-deck pontoon roof shall
be sufficient to keep the roof floating on a liquid with a specific gravity of
0.7 if the single deck and any two pontoon compartments are punctured.
The minimum pontoon volume of a double-deck roof shall be sufficient to
keep the roof floating on a liquid with a specific gravity of 0.7 if any two
pontoon compartments are punctured. The primary drainage shall be
considered as inoperative for either type of roof, but no live load need be
considered for the preceding design requirements. In addition, either type
of roof with the primary drainage inoperative shall accommodate a 250
mm rainfall in a 24-hour period over the entire roof area without sinking
(with no compartments or decks punctured). The roof may be designed to
carry the entire 24-hour rainfall, or emergency drains may be installed
which will limit the roof load to some lesser volume of water which the
roof will carry safely. Such emergency drains shall not allow the product
to flow on to the roof deck.
89

IS : 803 - 1976
Pontoon ring of a single deck floating roof shall have sufficient flexural
rigidity to resist compressive loads acting when the deck is punctured or
flooded with 250 mm of rain-water.
Large diameter pontoon roof tanks installed in areas subject to high
winds shall receive special consideration to stiffen the deck area and
provide greater safety against wind induced rippling.
D-3.6 Each compartment shall be provided with a manway with a rain
night cover. The manway covers shall be provided with suitable
hold-down fixtures or other means to prevent wind from removing the
covers. The top edge of manway necks shall be at an elevation to prevent
water entering the compartments under the conditions set forth in D-3.1.
D-3.7 All internal bulkhead plates or sheets shall be single-fillet welded
along their bottom and vertical edges for liquid-tightness. When specified
by the purchaser, the top edge of the bulkhead shall also be provided with
a continuous single-fillet weld for liquid-tightness.
D-4. ROOF DRAINS
D-4.1 Primary drains shall be of the hose, jointed or siphon type. A check
valve shall be provided near the roof end of the hose and jointed pipe
drains on single-deck and pan-type roofs to prevent backflow of stored
product in case of damage to the drain line. Provisions shall be included to
prevent kinking of the hose or pinching under the deck legs. Hose drains
shall be designed to permit replacement without entering to tank. The
swing joints of pipe drains shall be packed to prevent leakage. The
primary drain shall be adequate to drain the maximum rain-fall in a
24-hour period without flooding the deck; the minimum size shall be
equivalent in capacity to one 75-mm drain.
D-4.2 Provision shall also be made to drain rain-water from the deck of
pontoon roofs into the tank when the roof is resting on its support legs
and the primary drain is operating at its lowest efficiency.
D-5. LADDERS
D-5.1 The floating roof shall be supplied with a ladder which
automatically adjusts to any position of the roof in such manner as always
to provide access to the roof. The ladder shall be designed for full roof
travel, regardless of normal setting of roof-leg supports. If a rolling ladder
is furnished, it shall have full-length handrails on both sides and shall be
designed for a 450-kg mid-point load with the ladder in any operating
position.
D-6 VENTING
D-6.1 Suitable vents shall be provided to prevent over-stressing of the
roof deck or seal membrane. These vents shall be adequate to evacuate air
90

IS : 803 - 1976
and gases from underneath the roof when the roof is on its supports
during filling operations. They shall also be adequate to relieve any
vacuum generated underneath the roof after it settles on its supports
during withdrawal operations. The purchaser shall specify filling and
emptying rates so that the fabricator may size the vents accordingly.
D-6.2 In the case of covered floating roof tanks, circulation vents or
openings shall be located above the seal of the floating roof when the tank
is full. The maximum spacing shall be 10 m but in no case shall there be
less than four equally spaced vents. The total open area of these vents
shall be equal to or greater than 600 cm 2 /m of tank diameter. The fixed
roof of such tanks shall have an open vent at the centre or at the highest
elevation provided with a weather cover and a minimum area of 325 cm 2.
These vents shall be provided with suitable coarse mesh screens to
prevent ingress of birds or animals.
D-7. SUPPORTING LEGS

D-7.1 The floating roof shall be provided with supporting legs. Legs
fabricated from pipe shall be notched or perforated at the bottom to
provide drainage. Length of legs shall be adjustable from the top side of
the roof. The operating and cleaning position levels of the supporting legs
shall be as specified by the purchaser. The manufacturer shall make
certain that all tank appurtenances, such as mixers, interior piping, and
fill nozzle, are cleared by the roof in its lowest position.
D-7.2 Legs and attachments shall be designed to support the roof and a
uniform live load of at least 1 250 N/cm2 (125 kgf/cm2) for single-deck and
double-deck floating roofs. Where possible, roof load shall be transmitted
to the legs through bulk heads or diaphragms. In the case of pan type
floating roofs, the supports and attachments shall be designed to support
a uniform live load of 625 N/m2 (62.5 kgf/m2) on the deck and shall be
such as to prevent damage to the fixed roof when the tank is full. Support
attachments in the deck areas in the case of single deck and covered
floating roofs, shall be given particular attention to prevent failure at the
points of attachment. Steel pads or other means shall be used to
distribute the loads on the bottom of the tank. Pads, if used, shall be
continuously seal welded to the tank bottom.
D-8. ROOF MANHOLE

D-8.1 Single-deck and double-deck floating roofs shall have at least one
manhole provided for access to the tank interior and for ventilation when
the tank is empty. The number of roof manholes shall be as specified by
the purchaser. These manholes shall be of at least 600 mm internal
diameter and shall have tight-gasketed and bolted covers equivalent to
the roof manholes shown in Fig. 14.
91

IS : 803 - 1976
D-8.2 In the case of a covered floating roof, the manhole shall be of at

least 600 mm ID or equivalent and may be of the loose-cover type. At least
one manhole of the same size shall be provided on the fixed roof for access
to the tank interior.
D-9. CENTRING AND ANTI-ROTATION DEVICE

D-9.1 In the case of single-deck and double-deck floating roofs, suitable
devices shall be provided to maintain the roof in centred position and to
prevent its rotation. These devices shall be capable of resisting the lateral
forces imposed on them by the roof ladder, wind loads and the like.
D-9.2 Prevention of rotation of pan roofs shall be achieved by means of a
seal or other suitable device.
D-10. SEALS
D-10.1 The space between the outer periphery of the roof and the tank
shell shall be sealed by a flexible device which shall provide a reasonably
close fit to the shell surfaces. If the sealing device employs steel shoes in
contact with the shell, such shoes shall be made from galvanized sheet
with a nominal thickness of 1.6 mm. If uncoated shoes are specified, they
shall be made of sheet metal of a thickness and quality as specified by the
purchaser. An adequate number but a minimum number of three
expansion joints shall be provided.
D-10.2 If this sealing device is a coated fabric or other non-metallic
material it shall be durable in its environment and shall not discolour or
contaminate the product stored. A minimum of four static electricity
drains shall be provided when a non-metallic seal is used. The maximum
spacing of the static electricity drains shall be 10 m. Any other approved
means of draining static electricity may be provided.
D-10.3 In the case of covered floating roofs, seals shall be provided to
ensure a reasonably close fit to columns or other appurtenances that
penetrate the deck, through all horizontal and vertical movements of the
deck. These seals shall also be durable in their environment and shall not
discolour or contaminate the product stored.
D-11. GAUGE HATCH

D-11.1 The floating roof shall be provided with a standard gauge hatch
and/or gauge well with a tight cap.
D-12. FABRICATION, ERECTION, WELDING, INSPECTION AND

TESTING
D-12.1 Applicable fabrication, erection, welding, inspection and testing
requirements of this specification shall apply.
92

IS : 803 - 1976
D-12.2 Deck seams and other joints, which are required to be liquid or
vapour tight, shall be tested for leaks by penetrating oil or by any other
method consistent with the methods described in this specification for
testing cone-roof seams and tank bottom seams.
D-12.3 The roof shall be given a floatation test while the tank is being
filled with water and emptied. During this test, the upper side of the
lower deck shall be examined for leaks. The appearance of a damp shot on
the upper side of the lower deck shall be considered evidence of leakage.
D-12.4 The upper side of the upper decks of pontoon and double-deck roof
shall be visually inspected for pinholes or defective welding.
D-12.5 Drain pipe and hose systems of primary drains shall be pressure
tested with water at 35.0 N/cm2 (3.5 kgf/cm2). During the floatation test,
the roof drain valves shall be kept open and observed for leakage of tank
contents into the drain lines.
93

Bureau of Indian Standards

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promote harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality
certification of goods and attending to connected matters in the country.
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designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
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Additions’.
This Indian Standard has been developed by Technical Committee : SMBDC 7.
Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue
Amd. No. 1 November 1984

Headquarters:
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002. Telegrams: Manaksanstha
Telephones: 323 01 31, 323 33 75, 323 94 02 (Common to all offices)
Regional Offices: Telephone
Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg  323 76 17

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Eastern : 1/14 C. I. T. Scheme VII M, V. I. P. Road, Kankurgachi 337 84 99, 337 85 61
KOLKATA 700054
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UDC 621.642.3 [669.141.24] : 665.5

( Continued from page 2 )

e) An appendix furnishing the design and construction requirements of

*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

TABLE 1 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 1.5 m

TABLE 3 NOMINAL CAPACITIES OF TYPICAL TANKS FOR PLATE WIDTH 2.0 m

As in the Original Standard, this Page is Intentionally Left Blank

4.1.3 Plate materials specified in 4.1 shall be used without impact testing

*Specification for structural steel (standard quality) ( fifth revision ).

*Technical supply conditions for threaded fasteners ( first revision ).

b) Bottoms may be of butt welded construction. Plates shall have the

6.2.3 Bottom Plate Resting on Piers

*Code of practice for use of structural steel in general building construction

6.3 Design of Shell Plates

6.3.3.2 In no case shall the nominal thickness of shell plates (including

*Specification for steel plates for boilers.

D = nominal tank diameter in m; and

6.3.5.2 The suitability of plate preparation and welding procedure shall

*Code of procedure for manual metal arc welding of mild steel.

6.3.5.3 The wide face of unsymmetrical V or U butt joints may be on the

Figures 11 and 12 show acceptable methods of attachment. For

ISA 65 × 65 × 6 6.4 6.5

Detail A — Top Angle

TABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS — Contd

SECTION THROUGH WIND GIRDER MEMBER SIZE IN SECTION MODULUS IN cm3

ISA 65 × 65 × 6 27.2 28.4

Detail B — Curb Angle

ISA 65 × 65 × 6 28.3 29.4

Detail C — Single Angle

TABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS — Contd

SECTION THROUGH WIND GIRDER MEMBER SIZE IN SECTION MODULUS IN cm3

ISA 100 × 75 × 8 182.2 187.5

Detail D — Two Angles

b = 250 — 341.0

TABLE 7 SECTION MODULUS OF WIND GIRDERS — Contd

SECTION THROUGH WIND GIRDER MEMBER SIZE IN SECTION MODULUS IN cm3

b = 250 335.2

6.4 Designs of Roof

Minimum t = but not less than 5 mm

7.3 Shell Nozzles

shall be capable of withstanding a load of 882 N (90 kgf) applied in

FIG. 11 T YPICAL SHELL M ANHOLES ( see Tables 8 and 9 )

7.9 Gauge Wells — Typical sketches of gauge wells showing two

7.10 Tank Accessories — Other tank accessories like level indicator,

TABLE 8 SHELL MANHOLE COVER PLATE AND BOLTING FLANGE

M AXI- EQUI- MINIMUM COVER PLATE MINIMUM BOLTING FLANGE THICK -

6.5 0.065 (0.65) 8 10 12 12 6 6 8 10

8.0 0.08 (0.80) 10 12 12 14 6 8 10 12

10.0 0.10 (1.00) 10 12 14 16 6 8 10 12

12.0 0.12 (1.20) 12 12 16 18 8 10 12 14

14.0 0.14 (1.40) 12 14 16 20 10 12 12 16

16.5 0.165 (1.65) 12 14 18 20 10 12 14 18

20.0 0.20 (2.0) 14 16 20 22 11 12 16 20

23.0 0.23 (2.3) 16 18 20 25 12 14 18 20

*Equivalent pressure is based on water loading.

TABLE 9 SHELL MANHOLE DIMENSIONAL DATA ( see Fig. 11 )

a) Nominal size, D 500 600 750 900

FIG. 12 T YPICAL SHELL NOZZLES ( see Table 10 )

As in the Original Standard, this Page is Intentionally Left Blank