API RP 2027

Description

This recommended practice (RP) provides safe work practices for the prevention and control of vapor, ignition, and other potential hazards during abrasive blasting of aboveground storage tanks in liquid hydrocarbon service at atmospheric pressure. It is generally recognized in the petroleum industry that the preferable method is to empty, vapor-free, and clean aboveground petroleum storage tanks before starting abrasive blasting work. However, this may not be practical or even possible and may increase the risk of an undesirable hazard or incident in some situations. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the potential ignition and safety hazards when planning abrasive blasting and to implement the appropriate safeguards before starting this work.
This RP helps employers in developing operating procedures that provide for hazard recognition to significantly reduce ignition risks during abrasive blasting of hydrocarbon storage tanks in service that may contain or have the potential t