For the problem of leak of stainless steel overlay in fuel transfer tank of a nuclear power plant in China,the liquid penetration test,vacuum foaming method,layered water test,reverse osmosis method and helium leak detection method are used to find the leak point successfully. Helium leak detection method successfully locates the leak point once,and the causes of missed inspection of liquid penetrant inspection,water-bearing test and reverse osmosis method are analyzed. Combining the principle features of various methods,the advantages and disadvantages of various methods are compared and analyzed,and the notes for use are given. The fuel transfer pool leak detection has the characteristics of large inspection scope,high radiation dose,limited working time,and need to locate leak point as soon as possible,an effective workflow for leak detection of stainless steel overlay in fuel transfer tanks is proposed,which provides reference for leak detection work of similar structures such as spent fuel pool,reactor pool and internal component pool.