Air fills in Nitrox Marked Tanks

[Wookie]

Ok, regardless, there are no real enforceable standards outside of DOT required VT at hydro, if there is such a thing. The yearly VIP is not required by law or regulation(s) with the force of law so therefore "flexible".
I have my own VIP stickers I put on my tanks to remind me to look inside my tanks every year. Who's enforcing that? Can I expect a knock on my door from DOT inspectors?
I fill my own tanks, by DOT regulations all I need is a 5 year hydro test if I want to transport them on the roads, no more. The rest is made up as we go along.

DOT regulations only apply if you are transporting cylinders “in commerce”, as in, you are being paid to transport or provide the cylinder, regardless of the gas inside.

You (you personally, AD) never need a hydro if you fill your own and transport them in your POV. Although I do not recommend this practice, I won’t say that I never do it myself….

 

[rhwestfall]

Easy folks, if you notice I said "properly done" (quotes intended for emphasis). Yes, there is no VIP Law. We all know that. I think you know me better than to think I am getting all police state on you...

 

[Wookie]

Easy folks, if you notice I said "properly done" (quotes intended for emphasis). Yes, there is no VIP Law. We all know that. I think you know me better than to think I am getting all police state on you...

I think we’re all violently agreeing, not disagreeing.

 

[AfterDark]

DOT regulations only apply if you are transporting cylinders “in commerce”, as in, you are being paid to transport or provide the cylinder, regardless of the gas inside.

You (you personally, AD) never need a hydro if you fill your own and transport them in your POV. Although I do not recommend this practice, I won’t say that I never do it myself….

This I didn't know, although it was originally a ICC rule so it follows.

This I agree with 100%. In an earlier post in this very thread I "posted I just received 2 tanks back from hydro....." I present as evidence of my 100% agreement.

High pressure gas is not to be trifled with, especially if you're carrying on your person.

 

[AfterDark]

Easy folks, if you notice I said "properly done" (quotes intended for emphasis). Yes, there is no VIP Law. We all know that. I think you know me better than to think I am getting all police state on you...

no offence meant!

 

[dead dog]

VIP = Visual Inspection Program, and always has.
Stickers are removed to allow seeing tank damage that has been covered up.

I always thought it stood for "Very Important Person"

 

[AfterDark]

DOT/TC (Transport Canada) concern is that the transport of the tanks in public spaces is safe. So as long as you are in hydro you can transport. If you keep the tanks on your private property all the time and dive your private lake I think even those regulations fo not apply. VIP is really the industry agreement. Shops rely on the process to fill your tanks. If you fill your own tanks and no one else uses them I think you do not have to do any VIP if you so chose. Otherwise its the shops decision as they own the compressor.

This is my understanding of this framework, I could of cause be wrong.

Turns out in the USA I don't even need a hydro unless I'm transporting for commerce. Since I fill my own no commerce is involved, no hydro needed. I always thought it was for road safety but not here.

I do yearly VIPs because I know what I'm dealing with, and I don't want to get hurt. If I see anything I don't like the tank goes to the LDS and they VIP it. Why? Because I don't want to get hurt. Regardless of regulation I'll continue to get 5 year hydros on my tanks. It has worked for me for 5 decades why would I stop now? I don't want to get hurt.

 

[elan]

Turns out in the USA I don't even need a hydro unless I'm transporting for commerce. Since I fill my own no commerce is involved, no hydro needed. I always thought it was for road safety but not here.

Yes I saw Frank clarifying it above. I was under impression it's for all the transpost. I will need to review the PSI manual.

I do yearly VIPs because I know what I'm dealing with, and I don't want to get hurt. If I see anything I don't like the tank goes to the LDS and they VIP it. Why? Because I don't want to get hurt. Regardless of regulation I'll continue to get 5 year hydros on my tanks. It has worked for me for 5 decades why would I stop now? I don't want to get hurt.

You should not stop. I do my own VIPs and clean O2 clean the tanks and valves annually as I mostly dive enriched mixes (rarely air) and some shops only do partial pressure. Over the years I figured a few shops that have claen 02 compatible compressors and only use those. 90% of the time the tank is as clean as it was right after the VIP.

Like you said it if works and promotes safety why not do it. It's not expensive (here a hydro is only 2 fills) so why not do it.

 

[SpecialTest]

Ok, another dumb question:

Say I've got a HP100 with ~2,000 PSI of EAN32 in it... am I wrong to just ask a shop to top it off with air? I understand the resulting mix would fall a bit below 28% (of course I'd analyze/verify and mark it on the contents tag), which is fine with me. I don't need nitrox on my next couple dives, my closest dive shop doesn't do nitrox fills... just wondering if I'll look like a big dummy with this request. I don't need 28%, I'd be fine with standard air.

Or am I just best off draining the tank and asking for an air fill? Does it really matter?

 

[Searcaigh]

Or am I just best off draining the tank and asking for an air fill? Does it really matter?

Depends on what your planned MOD is going to be.

Sometimes if I have 100 bar worth of 40% I get it topped up with air rather than have a new fill of 40%