Pressure Vessel Repairs and Alterations
Sometimes it makes more sense to fix the tank you have than to buy a new
one. Ramco Fabricators holds a
National Board "R" stamp,
which allows us to repair a pressure vessel back to working condition or
alter one that needs to be modified for a new job, right here in our
ASME "U" stamp shop in Colfax, North
Carolina. We repair and modify storage
tanks too. Send us a few photos and we will tell you what we think!
What the "R" Stamp Covers
The "R" stamp is the National Board's authorization to repair and alter
Code pressure vessels. A repair puts a vessel back the way it was
designed: replacing a corroded section of shell, fixing a cracked weld,
or renewing a worn nozzle. An alteration changes the design: adding a
nozzle or manway, changing the vessel's rating, or modifying it for a
different duty. Either way, the work is done to the National Board
Inspection Code, documented on the National Board's "R" forms, and
welded by the same certified welders who build our new vessels.
Repairs and Alterations We Take On
- Replacing corroded or thinned sections of shell and heads
- Repairing cracked or leaking welds
- Replacing worn nozzles, manways, and couplings
- Adding new nozzles, manways, and connections
- Adding or rebuilding saddles, legs, and supports
- Altering a vessel for a new pressure, temperature, or service
If what you need is not on the list, ask anyway. We have been building
and fixing vessels for nearly 40 years and we always love a challenge
here at Ramco!
Storage Tank Repairs
Not every tank is a Code vessel. We repair and modify atmospheric
storage tanks as well: new shell sections,
new nozzles and manways, ladders and railings brought up to OSHA
requirements, and rolled segments for a tank that needs a patch.
What to Send Us
- Photos of the vessel and the problem area
- The nameplate data, and the U-1 data report if you have it
- What the vessel holds and what it is rated for
- What you want changed, if it is an alteration
- Where the vessel is
With that, we can usually tell you whether a repair makes sense or a new
tank is the better buy, and give you a quote either way.
Who We Help
We repair vessels and tanks for water systems, rendering plants, food
processors, and industrial plants, and for the contractors who look after
them, mostly in North Carolina, from the Piedmont Triad to Raleigh and
Charlotte, and up through Virginia. If the
vessel is one of ours, we have the drawings on file; if someone else built
it, send us what you have and we will work from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a repair and an alteration?
A repair restores the vessel to its original design: same rating, same
connections, sound metal where there was corrosion or a crack. An
alteration changes the design, such as adding a nozzle or changing the
rating. Both are covered by our "R" stamp, and both are documented on
the National Board's "R" forms.
Will the repair be documented?
Yes. "R" stamp work is documented on a National Board "R" form, signed
off by an Authorized Inspector, and you get a copy for your records.
Can you repair a storage tank that is not a Code vessel?
Yes! We repair and modify atmospheric storage tanks as well as pressure
vessels, and we roll replacement shell segments to match your tank.
Do you need the original drawings?
They help, and so does the U-1 data report, but send what you have.
Photos and the nameplate data are usually enough for us to get started.
