Industrial tank design standards guide covering API 650, API 620, AWWA D100, AWWA D103, ISO 28765, and local site load data.
Design standards should be selected by tank type, stored media, pressure, water service, coating system, and local structural requirements.
Tank Design Standards Buyers Should Confirm
A tank standard is not a marketing label. It defines the engineering basis used for shell design, roof design, bottom/foundation interface, inspection, fabrication, documentation, and sometimes coating or appurtenance expectations. The correct standard depends on tank type and service duty.
For welded atmospheric storage, buyers often discuss API 650. Low-pressure welded storage may involve API 620. Welded water tanks may reference AWWA D100, while factory-coated bolted steel tanks may reference AWWA D103. Glass-fused-to-steel bolted tanks for water and wastewater may reference ISO 28765. Final compliance must be confirmed by the project engineer, local authority, and contract documents.
Common Standard Mapping
Standard
Typical Use in Buyer Review
API 650
Welded aboveground atmospheric storage tanks, often for oil, fuel, petrochemical, and industrial liquid storage.
API 620
Large welded low-pressure storage tanks where pressure/vacuum conditions exceed typical atmospheric tank assumptions.
AWWA D100
Welded carbon steel tanks for water storage applications, subject to project-specific water authority requirements.
AWWA D103
Factory-coated bolted carbon steel tanks for water storage and related duties, depending on owner specification.
ISO 28765
Vitreous and porcelain enamelled bolted steel tanks for water, wastewater, and industrial effluents.
What the Supplier Needs Before Design
A standard alone is not enough. The manufacturer still needs capacity, diameter/height preference, stored media, design temperature, specific gravity, corrosion allowance if applicable, roof load, wind speed, seismic data, nozzle schedule, access requirements, and inspection scope.
When buyers request an API 650 welded steel tank or an AWWA bolted tank, the quotation should separate structural design, coating/lining, accessories, documentation, packing, and installation support. Use this page with the RFQ data checklist.
Next RFQ Steps
Send the required standard, stored media, capacity, site loads, drawings, inspection scope, and approval documents. If the standard is not fixed yet, describe the project duty and local approval path.
