SP8310 Licensed Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification is a United States (US) Federal Government registered tank inspector prequalification practice performed by the Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics Institute (FRPI). There is an initial certification and then annual renewals to maintain credentials. It is a minimum inspector expertise “proving ground” type program similar to API 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction provided by the American Petroleum Institute and STI SP001 Standard for the Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks provided by the Steel Tank Institute. Like these API and STI standards, FRPI 8310 is both an inspector credentialling program and tank inspection procedure that is gaining traction in the US.
Capabilities and approaches to inspection of fiberglass chemical process equipment have historically differed widely between inspectors. This variation has been a result of the absence of a comprehensive industry standard for inspector qualification and inspection procedures. The long-term absence of procedures has been problematic, a sense of acceptance set in, and these matters have cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars in lost asset management opportunities. The absence of standardized procedures caused inspection companies to independently develop private practices that may have worked for some but often provided inconsistent or poor inspection determinations from inspector to inspector and caused hardship for equipment owners.
Development talks for fiberglass tank inspection procedure started at FRPI in 2005 and a steering council of nine (9) industry members was established in 2016. The FRPI steering council was composed of a balanced group of professionals. It included one (1) international tank owner, three (3) manufacturers, four (4) consulting firms, plus an FRPI representative. The mix of council backgrounds included five (5) fiberglass subject matter experts, two (2) of which were professional engineers, plus a global asset inspection leader, five (5) company presidents and two (2) vice presidents. The tank owner and one consultant member were API 653 certified inspectors. US Federal and State regulators were also consulted on various subjects.
SP8310 and its companion standards were first launched in 2018. They have now been reviewed and are accepted by well over one-hundred (100) mechanical integrity inspectors and asset managers in six (6) countries. One-third of certified FRPI 8310 inspectors are licensed Professional Engineers. Tank owners and independent inspection plan writers represent leading company names in the chlorine, chemical, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and water treatment industries. Several domestic and international owners plus inspection service providers employ FRPI 8310 Inspectors and promote these standards. US Federal and State regulators have also reviewed and acknowledged these standards as RAGAGEP.
The FRPI SP8310 Licensed Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification practice houses both an inspector credentialling program and tank inspection procedure. FRPI certifies a minimum level of tank inspector expertise and standards knowledge in accordance with a comprehensive certification scheme. This standard practice is included in the Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification and Licensing manual.
The inspector credentialling program covers a process for defining a minimum amount of experience to sit for the SP8310 exam plus certifying and licensing inspectors. The experience part is modeled after API 653, where it requires demonstration of personal and employment experience with reference checking. The certifying and licensing part includes logistics, application process, optional education program and licensing rules plus a means for facilitating inspector credentialing award, renewal, denial, termination, suspension and dispute appeals.
The tank inspection procedure covers minimum requirements and guidance defining the process for inspectors to follow. The requirements and guidance part includes a specific body of knowledge (BoK) encompassing pertinent industry standards, determinations to be made plus reporting and record keeping. The SP8310 BoK draws in FRPI companion standards SP1010 laminate identification, SP1020 visual imperfections, SP1040 damage mechanisms plus SP1040 integrity and leak testing. These standard practices are also included in the Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification and Licensing manual.
There are three (3) tracks to FRPI 8310 Inspector certification. Track 1 is for junior inspectors, Track 2 is for registered inspectors in training and Track 3 for those who qualify by experience to sit for the exam. For those interested in Track 3, there are five (5) primary steps to certification and licensing. These Track 3 steps include purchasing the Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification and Licensing manual, going through the credentialling process, participating in the optional FRP831 Field Inspection of Aboveground Chemical Bulk Storage Tanks course, taking a seven (7) hour exam and receiving the award. For more information on becoming certified, please click the Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification and Licensing manual or contact FRPI.
To further size up qualifications, fees and applications involved with becoming a FRPI 8310 Inspector, contact FRPI and ask for the 8310 inspector packet. You will receive three (3) separate emails including the following information:
- Tank Inspector Certification Tracks brochure.
- SP8310 Part 3.2 Personal Requirements snippet
- SP8310 Part 1.3 Body of Knowledge snippet
- FRP831 Course Syllabus
- Certification Fee Schedule
- Certification Steps Checklist
- Qualifications Application with Worksheets
- Example Experience Worksheets
- Exam Seat Registration Application
- License Agreement
FRPI Certified 8310 Inspectors are accountable for maintaining their credentials and inspecting in accordance with SP8310 Part 2 Inspection Practices Areas on a job-by-job bases. Failure to meet these requirements when representing their work as a FRPI certified inspector may be grounds for warnings or immediate certification and licensing suspension or termination following SP8310 practices. The inspector’s accountability is upheld through annual certification renewal, which may include unannounced audits from time to time.
Anyone detecting an incident involving a certified FRPI 8310 Inspector’s deviation from FRPI standard practices are encouraged to report it. Reports shall be filed by Owners, Owner’s Agents, Engineers, and/or Intermediaries through the incidents reporting process available on the FRPI website. Action against such reports shall follow SP8310 procedures.