Little P.Eng. Engineering – Tanks Design as per EN 1778, API 650 & API 620 Across Canada and USA
- Meena Rezkallah, P.Eng.
- Aug 30
- 3 min read
Industrial facilities across Canada and the USA rely on safe, efficient, and code-compliant storage tanks to handle critical fluids such as water, petroleum products, chemicals, LNG, and cryogenic materials. With increasing demands for safety, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, companies require engineering partners who can deliver reliable tank designs based on internationally recognized standards.
At Little P.Eng. Engineering, we specialize in tank design and analysis according to EN 1778, API 650, and API 620, ensuring full compliance with both North American and international codes. Our licensed Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) deliver solutions that integrate structural integrity, fluid safety, and regulatory approval across diverse industries.
1. Overview of Tank Design Standards
EN 1778 – European Standard for Safety in Tanks
EN 1778 is a European standard that outlines the safety requirements for equipment and tank systems used for liquid handling. At Little P.Eng., we apply EN 1778 principles to design verification, material selection, and hazard prevention, ensuring tanks meet international safety benchmarks when serving global clients.
API 650 – Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
The American Petroleum Institute’s API 650 standard governs the design, fabrication, erection, and inspection of welded steel storage tanks used for oil and petroleum products. It is widely adopted in Canada, USA, and internationally. We apply API 650 to design tanks that meet:
Structural integrity requirements
Seismic and wind load resistance
Corrosion protection and material selection
API 620 – Design and Construction of Low-Pressure Tanks
API 620 covers large, welded, low-pressure tanks, often used in LNG, cryogenic, and refrigerated storage applications. It complements API 650 and allows for design pressures up to 15 psi. Our engineers integrate API 620 guidelines to ensure tanks used for low-pressure liquids and gases are safe, stable, and long-lasting.
2. Engineering Services by Little P.Eng.
At Little P.Eng., our tank design services include:
Tank Stress Analysis & Structural Design
Using advanced software tools (FEA, CAESAR II, AutoPIPE), we perform stress analysis to ensure tanks can withstand pressure, thermal effects, wind, and seismic events.
Seismic & Wind Load Evaluation
We design tanks per NBCC 2020 (Canada) and ASCE 7-22 (USA) requirements, providing stability against earthquakes, hurricanes, and extreme wind events.
Material Selection & Compatibility
Tanks must be compatible with the stored fluid. We design tanks using carbon steel, stainless steel, Inconel, and specialty alloys depending on service conditions.
Foundations, Supports & Settlement Checks
Tanks are supported on concrete ring walls, slab foundations, or piles. Our designs include settlement evaluation to prevent uneven loading and tank distortion.
Regulatory Compliance & CRN Registration
In Canada, many tanks require CRN (Canadian Registration Number) approval. We prepare and submit all engineering documentation to provincial regulators such as ABSA (Alberta), TSSA (Ontario), and EGBC (British Columbia).
3. Applications Across Industries
Our tank designs serve industries including:
Oil & Gas – Crude oil, petroleum products, and refinery storage tanks.
Petrochemical & Chemical – Ammonia, methanol, ethanol, and chemical process tanks.
Water & Wastewater – Potable water reservoirs, firewater tanks, wastewater treatment tanks.
Power Generation – Fuel tanks, cooling water tanks, chemical dosing tanks.
LNG & Cryogenic – Refrigerated and low-pressure storage tanks as per API 620.
Food & Beverage – Hygienic stainless steel tanks for breweries, dairies, and food production.
4. Why Choose Little P.Eng. for Tank Design
✅ Multidisciplinary Expertise – Combining mechanical, structural, and seismic engineering.
✅ North American Licensing – Engineers licensed across Canadian provinces and U.S. states.
✅ Code Compliance – EN 1778, API 650, API 620, ASME, and NBCC/ASCE 7 standards.
✅ Advanced Software – Risa 3D, Staad pro, Tank, etc.
✅ Regulatory Approvals – Full CRN submission and regulatory support.
✅ Proven Experience – Projects across Canada (AB, BC, ON, QC) and U.S. states.
5. Our Engineering Process
Conceptual Design & Feasibility
Client requirements, site conditions, fluid type.
Preliminary sizing and material selection.
Detailed Design & Analysis
Stress analysis, seismic checks, wind load evaluation.
Tank foundation and nozzle design.
Documentation & Regulatory Approval
EN 1778 safety verification.
API 650/620 calculations and drawings.
CRN submission in Canada.
Fabrication & Construction Support
Shop drawing review, welding procedure review.
On-site support during erection.
Inspection & Certification
Hydrostatic testing, non-destructive examination (NDE).
Regulatory inspection and commissioning support.
Conclusion
At Little P.Eng. Engineering, we deliver world-class tank design services based on EN 1778, API 650, and API 620 to ensure safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. From concept to final certification, we provide complete engineering solutions for oil & gas, petrochemical, water, wastewater, LNG, and industrial clients.
📞 Phone: +1 (587) 802-4050📧 Email: info@littlepeng.com🌐 Website: www.littlepeng.com
📍 Serving clients across Canada & USA
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