LPG Tank

I think forever, if they aren't allowed to rust.

I have a 500 gallon tank in my yard that was manufactured in 1962.

Thanks for your reply, but what about the aging? and when we must retire the LPG Tank? Is there any Code or standard for this?

I can't find anything on mandatory replacement at a certain age. As long as they are not damaged or rusted, I believe that there is no retirement age.

A little more here.

The date of manufacture is usually stamped on the tank. Most tanks have a finite life, depending on the gas and the country. And test intervals.

Commercial agents won't fill a tank that is out of date.

Back on the farm, we didn't pay much attention to dates.

Largely depends on the country your in and the laws set forth by them. Here in the states Lyn is correct in that we go by inspection dates. Some tanks are required to be tested and others just inspected by a certified inspector.

They don't pay much attention to dates here either. I got curious and did some looking around, and couldn't find a thing about a mandatory retirement date for LPG tanks based on age. Only that if they're severely rusted or dented they've got to go.

I will add the following info to the discussion. OSHA requires under 1910.110 that tanks be inspected. D.O.T requires that the tanks under their arm be test per 49 CFR 171.8 - 180.411. Here in the USA. Other country's maybe the same or have similar requirements, I would not know of those requirements. We work under D.O.T. & OSHA

Talaat.....

You did not tell us..... little tank or big tank ?

For the little portable tanks (in the USA) there is a recertification after 12 years from manufacture and every 5 years after that. Recertification involves an inspection and a pressure test. This implies a life of 20 years plus...

Dented or physically damaged portable tanks should be discarded.

For the big, non-portable tanks; they should be inclusion in some type of approved mechanical integrity program in accordance with a recognized standard such as API-570 (?).

This, of course, involves periodic internal and external inspection and possible pressure testing.

Maximum operating life.......it depends.