1、Safe Access/Egress Involving Floating Roofs of Storage Tanks in Petroleum ServiceAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2026 THIRD EDITION, JUNE 2017Special NotesAPI publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulati
2、ons should be reviewed.Neither API nor any of APIs employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liabi
3、lity or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of APIs employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.AP
4、I publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly di
5、sclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practi
6、ces. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Any man
7、ufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable AP
8、I standard.All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Ser
9、vices, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.Copyright 2017 American Petroleum InstituteForewordThis recommended practice (RP) is intended to provide information associated with safe access/egress involving floating roofs of tanks in petroleum service. This RP includes a discussion of the common h
10、azards associated with these operations and the appropriate precautions for preventing accidents and injuries.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Insti
11、tute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state or municipal regulation with which this publication may conflic
12、t.Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the director of the Health and Environmental Affairs Department, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.iiiContentsPage1 Scope and Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13、 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14、 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Terms, Definitions
15、, Acronyms, and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.1 Terms and Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.2 Acronyms an
16、d Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 General Precautions for Descent onto Floating Roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.1 General Condition
17、s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.2 Permit Space Program Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64.3 Req
18、uirements for Descent onto Floating Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Potential Hazards Associated with Entry onto Floating Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.1 Potential Atmospheric Haza
19、rds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.2 Potential Oxygen Content Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.3 Potential Flammab
20、le Vapor Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85.4 Potential Toxic Vapor and Gas Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85.5 Potential Vapor
21、 Exposures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95.6 Potential Fire Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22、 . . 95.7 Potential Physical Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Preparation for Entry onto Floating Roofs: Ventilation, Testing, and Rescue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116.1 Ventila
23、tion Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116.2 Atmospheric Testing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
24、6.3 Emergency Rescue Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Additional Procedures for Descent onto External Floating Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147.1 Additional P
25、rocedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147.2 Permissible Work on External Floating Roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Additiona
26、l Procedures for Descent onto Internal and Covered External Floating Roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . 178.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178.2 Preparations Prior to
27、 Descent onto Internal and Covered External Floating Roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188.3 Working on Internal and Covered External Floating Roofs of Tanks in Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188.4 Permissible Work on Internal and Covered External Floating Roofs . . . . . . . .
28、 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18v1 Safe Access/Egress Involving Floating Roofs of Storage Tanks in Petroleum Service 1 Scope and Objectives 1.1 Scope This recommended practice (RP) addresses the hazards associated with access/egress onto external 1.1.1and internal floating roofs of in-s
29、ervice petroleum storage tanks and identifies some of the most common practices and procedures for safely accomplishing this activity. This RP is intended primarily for those persons who are required to perform inspection, service, 1.1.2maintenance, or repair activities that involve descent onto flo
30、ating roofs of in-service petroleum tanks. This RP does not cover general considerations that apply to climbing onto petroleum storage tanks and 1.1.3other structures, including, but not limited to: a) slippery or ice-covered stairways and walkways, b) access during electrical storms, and c) access
31、during emergency conditions (such as to extinguish a fire or cover exposed product with foam). This RP may not apply to daily or routine tasks of tank gaugers and other personnel involved in non-permit-required confined spaces; however, such persons shall be trained and shall be made aware of the po
32、tential hazards described herein. Preparations and precautions for entering petroleum storage tanks that have been removed from service 1.1.4for cleaning are covered in API 2015. Some owner/operators have policies that are more stringent than those in this document. Some 1.1.5owner/operators do not
33、permit access onto floating roofs while the tanks are in service. In these cases, owner/operator policies will supersede this document with respect to safe access requirements and limitations. 1.2 Objectives This RP has the following objectives: a) to identify the potentially hazardous conditions as
34、sociated with access/egress onto external and internal floating roofs of storage tanks while the tanks are in petroleum service; and b) to establish general precautionary measures appropriate to individual situations. 2 Normative References The following referenced documents are indispensable for th
35、e application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. API Standard 650, Welded Tanks for Oil Storage API Standard 2015, Requirements for Safe Entry and Cleaning o
36、f Petroleum Storage Tanks API Recommended Practice 2027, Ignition Hazards Involved in Abrasive Blasting of Atmospheric Storage Tanks in Hydrocarbon Service 2 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2026 OSHA 1, 29 CFR 2 Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protecti
37、on OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-required Confined Spaces OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1000, Air Contaminants 3 Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 3.1 Terms and Definitions For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply. 3.1.1air-supplied respiratory protection A respirator tha
38、t provides a supply of safe breathing air from a tank (either a self-contained breathing apparatus portable tank or an air line supply tank) or from an uncontaminated fresh air supply source located outside of the work area. 3.1.2cold work Work activity that does not produce heat, sparks, or other f
39、orms of energy sufficient to provide an ignition source if a vapor air mixture in the flammable range is present. Safe work or cold work is work that is not classified as hot work. 3.1.3confined space Any tank or space that a) is large enough and so configured that a worker can bodily enter and perf
40、orm assigned work, b) has limited or restricted means of entry or exit, and c) is not designed or intended for continuous occupancy by workers. 3.1.3.1 attendant A qualified employee stationed outside one or more permit-required confined spaces who monitors the entrants and who performs all attendan
41、ts duties in accordance with the employers confined space program. 3.1.3.2 entrant A qualified person who is authorized by the entry supervisor to enter a confined space. 3.1.3.3 entry supervisor The qualified person designated by the employer (owner/operator or contractor) to be responsible for det
42、ermining acceptable entry conditions at permit-required confined spaces and non-permit-required confined spaces. Entry supervisors shall authorize entry, oversee entry operations, and terminate entry as 1 U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenu
43、e NW, Washington, DC 20210, www.osha.gov. 2 The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, www.gpo.gov. SAFE ACCESS/EGRESS INVOLVING FLOATING ROOFS OF STORAGE TANKS IN PETROLEUM SERVICE 3 required by the permit or conditions. The du
44、ties of entry supervisor may be passed from one entry supervisor to another entry supervisor, during the course of an entry operation. NOTE An API-certified Tank Entry Supervisor (TES) is considered qualified to perform the duties of entry supervisor. 3.1.3.4 non-permit-required confined space A con
45、fined space (a space that meets all three of the confined space requirements) that has been checked, inspected, had its atmosphere monitored, and does not have (or does not have the potential to have) any of the characteristics required to be classified as a permit-required confined space. 3.1.3.5 p
46、ermit-required confined space A tank or space that meets the confined space requirements and also has one or more of the following characteristics: a) contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, b) contains a material with the potential to engulf an entrant, c) has an internal c
47、onfiguration such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated, d) contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard(s), or e) has a floating roof not properly prepared and secured in accordance with API 2015. 3.1.3.6 permit-required confined space program The employers overall pr
48、ogram for controlling and regulating entry into permit-required confined spaces and, where appropriate, protecting employees from permit space hazards. 3.1.4entry The action by which an entrant passes through an opening into a confined space. Entry includes ensuing work activities in both permit-req
49、uired confined spaces and non-permit-confined spaces and is considered to have occurred as soon as a part of the entrants body breaks the plane of an opening into the space. 3.1.5flammable vapor limit The concentration of vapor in normal air that will ignite upon contact with a source of ignition. 3.1.5.1 lower explosive (flammable) limit LEL The minimum concentration (expressed as a volume percentage) of a vapor-in-air below which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with an ignition source; generally considered to be “too lean to burn.” 3.1.5.2 upper explosive (flammable) l
