Test water level, filling rates, hold times, settlement survey points and reading sets, the settlement limits that stop filling, and test-water rules for the shell hydrostatic test of new tanks (API 650 7.3.6 – 7.3.8) and of existing tanks after repair, alteration or reconstruction, with when a test is required or exempt (API 653 Section 12), and optional OISD-STD-129 staged filling
New here? Read the User Manual — test levels, filling rates, settlement survey and readings, test water, and how to read the results.
◉ API 650 14TH ED. (AUGUST 2025) 7.3.6 – 7.3.8, S.4.10, X.4.10 · API 653 SECTION 12 · OISD-STD-129 STAGED FILLING · NOT A REGULATORY SUBMISSION TOOL
⚠ Indicative tool only. Source: API 650, 14th edition (August 2025), 7.3.6 – 7.3.8, 7.3.6.2.2 and the Annex S and X test-water rules, checked against the 14th edition text. The units chosen also choose the rule set: SI values (300 / 460 / 230 mm/h, 10 m, 13 mm) or US values (12 / 18 / 9 in./h, 32 ft, 1/2 in.), as printed (1.1.3). The OISD-STD-129 option adds the staged procedure of its Annexure III (Revised Edition, November 2006), checked against that text: stages at 0.5, 0.67, 0.83 and 1.0 of the test height at 70 % of the design product-filling rate, at least 24 h hold after each of the first three, a final hold of 24 h (48 h or longer where significant settlement is predicted), at most 0.25 m/h until a floating roof floats, at most 1.5 m/h overall, and a test temperature of 4 °C and above. The 5.8.5 venting limit on filling rate is an input here, not calculated (see the API 2000 venting tool). The settlement check applies the 7.3.7.7 reporting limits to the readings you enter; to evaluate a settled shell use the Tank Settlement tool. For an existing tank, the API 653 option follows API 653, 5th edition (2014) with Addendum 4 (July 2025), 12.3 to 12.5, checked against that text. A written, site-specific test procedure still governs.
Unsaved inputs were found on this device.
Identification
Switching converts what is typed in and changes the rule set to the printed US values (12 / 18 / 9 in./h, 32 ft spacing, 1/2 in. per 32 ft). Calculations and saved records stay in SI.
Lists this tool’s records, including those saved with the earlier Hydrotest Filling Procedure calculator.
Summary of checks
Enter the tank and the test level to see the checks.
1. Tank and Test Water Level (7.3.6.1, 7.3.6.2)
Fills the 4.3.3.2 maximum test height (and D and H when blank) and the Figure 5.2 box below; edit any of them afterwards.
Levels c) and d) are compared with level a). Where the test level is below the full level, the shell joints above the water must be examined by 7.3.6.2.1. Annex F tanks are tested to Annex F, not here.
1A. Existing Tank: Is a Hydrostatic Test Required? (API 653 12.3)
Major repair or alteration (API 653 3.25): a shell penetration over DN 300 (NPS 12) below the design liquid level; a bottom penetration within 300 mm (12 in.) of the shell; a shell plate below the design level or annular plate replaced or added over 300 mm (12 in.) long; over 300 mm of vertical shell or radial annular weld replaced; a new bottom (part of one under 12.3.4.3 is not); shell-to-bottom weld replaced beyond 12.3.3.5.1 a); jacking the shell.
12.3.3.2: both are needed for any exemption.
What the repair includes:
2. Filling Rates and Schedule (7.3.7.6)
The Purchaser may extend the hold at the test height (7.3.7.6 b 5) when:
With settlement measurements, the maximum rates are 300 mm/h (12 in./h) in the top course and 460 mm/h (18 in./h) below it when the bottom course is under 22 mm (7/8 in.); otherwise 460 / 300 / 230 mm/h (18 / 12 / 9 in./h) in the bottom, middle and top thirds of the shell. The rate used in each band is the lowest of these, the venting limit, the OISD stage rate and the pump.
3. Settlement Survey (7.3.7.6, 7.3.7.9)
Set
When
Water level m
4. Settlement Readings Check (7.3.7.7)
Enter the settlement at each shell point since reading set 1, downward positive. Filling stops and the Purchaser is told if the mean exceeds 50 mm (2 in.), or the difference between neighbouring points exceeds 13 mm per 10 m (1/2 in. per 32 ft) of circumference.
Point
Position
Settlement mm
To next, per 10 m mm
Opens the Tank Settlement tool (API 653 Annex B cosine fit) with these points as elevation changes in ft, settling points negative.
5. Test Water and Temperature (7.3.7.4, 7.3.7.5, S.4.10, X.4.10)
Annex S and X: potable treated water may stay in the tank up to 21 days, other fresh water 7 days, unless the Purchaser specifies otherwise. The days come from the schedule in section 2.
6. Test Procedure and Record (7.3.6 – 7.3.8)
Tick each item once it is confirmed. Items that don’t apply are hidden.
Save & Report
Inputs are kept on this device as you type and offered back if the page is closed before saving.