EU regulations

The API 650 standard, issued by the American Petroleum Institute, is one of the most widely used global references for the design, construction and inspection of welded tanks for the atmospheric storage of liquids. It is adopted in numerous industrial sectors – from oil & gas to chemicals, up to food production – whenever a robust, durable structure capable of meeting international safety requirements is required.

API 650 applies to welded vertical cylindrical tanks, mainly constructed on site, with dome roofs, cone roofs or floating roofs. The standard defines the design criteria for sizing the shell, bottoms and roof, taking into account static and environmental loads such as hydrostatic pressure, wind, seismic actions and thermal variations, as well as technical specifications for welds, materials, drainage and protection devices.

Unlike European standards, the API 650 standard is characterized by a simplified yet highly efficient approach, based on well-established safety factors, ideal for the fast and repetitive design of large-capacity tanks. The document also includes optional specifications for more demanding conditions (e.g. corrosive products, vapor tightness, high seismic loads).

The adoption of the API 650 standard makes it possible to build tanks certifiable according to internationally recognized criteria, facilitating export and use in complex industrial contexts. The entire construction process, from design to final verification, is documented through structured technical documentation, quality controls and functional tests, in compliance with engineering best practices.

Building according to API 650 means adopting a versatile, scalable and reliable solution, in line with the operational needs of modern industry and with global standards of safety and mechanical performance.