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Humber’s Boilermaker Apprenticeship Program received an eight-foot diameter tank from TIW Steel Platework Inc., to be used by apprentices to gain real-world skills.

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API 650 8’ Diameter x 8’-4” High Cone Roof Tank for Humber College Boilermaker Program.

Like any other area, industrial construction has evolved over the years to where it is today with more and more technology applied in the sector from training to field execution, but sometimes, as the old proverb goes, the more things change the more they stay the same. This is particularly true in the tank world, where tradespeople manipulate simple steel plates into large custom built storage using the humble yet quintessential Boilermaker tools, from 4 lbs hammers to wedges and key-plates.

Future Journeymen Need Real World Examples

In recognizing the value in hands on training, TIW was proud to donate a scaled down 8’ x 8’-4” cone roof tank to Humber College’s Construction Boilermaker Apprenticeship class to contribute the long tradition of tank building in this country. Not only does this benefit the apprentices who will get to erect, fit, weld and layout plate as it has been done for generations in the real world, it will also help contractors who will rely on these future journeymen to carry the next generation of skilled trades.

What’s the most Common Tank Design in Canada?

The majority of our largest Canadian storage tanks are designed to the API 650 standard. Most commonly used in the oil and gas industry, these tanks often stand 50-80′ high with diameters in the 150-300′ range. The design comes from the American Petroleum Industry (API), that has established the 650 standard, setting minimum requirements for the design, material, construction, and testing of aboveground, open and closed-top, cylindrical welded steel storage tanks of various capacities and sizes. They are designed as non-refrigerated tanks with a minimum material thickness of 3/16 inch of carbon steel, austenitic duplex stainless steel, and aluminium. Supporting an internal pressure of 2 ½ PSI or less and an operating temperature of -40°F to 500°F. They are commonly used to store products such as crude oil, petroleum by-products, chemicals and process water.

Applicable to Many Industries

Aboveground welded steel tanks are used across a wide range of industries with specific needs. From petrochemical and refining to food and beverage processing, TIW has built high quality, custom storage solutions to satisfy some of our customers most stringent requirements. With over 100 years of expertise in tank building, we provide comprehensive project management services and turnkey tank solutions to clients across a wide range of industries, including: