All about visual inspection stickers VCI/VIP

[ScubaSteveC]

You must (should) have the owners permission to condemn their tank or it could get ugly. When a tank does get condemned the threads are usually destroyed to prevent the installation of a valve. I'd always heard that they drill a hole into the side of the tank and "POOF" its condemned. I found out in my class that some people have actually threaded the hole, installed a plug, ground the head flush, and then placed a current VIP sticker over it and kept using it. UNBELIEVABLE!!! You may not always know whats under those stickers.

Steve

 

[The Chairman]

Hey ScubaSteve,

Very, very good info. Now I want to know... where & how did you get your VIP training and did they go into all of tank maintenance?

 

[ScubaSteveC]

as is almost always the case, its the instructor that counts. My instructor had taken the PSI course and was disappointed in the lack of actual "hands on" in the course. From what I understand the TDI/SDI manual as a summary of the PSI book. Its not nearly as detailed as the PSI book. I learned so much in that class I don't even know where to start. The class started at 8:30 am and we didn't leave until about 7:30 pm (we took a 30 min. lunch). Through my instructors generosity we even O2 cleaned the tanks, but not the valves (no time in the class but he finished them for us). Like I said it was an excellent course and I think we VIPd about 7 tanks that day.

Steve

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I spent 5 years in a QC lab so I understand mistakes can be made fase reading can be had and such. Is there any way to be able to get a second opinion on a failed tank without it being destroyed. My tanks were made after 1988, but I hate to take them to a shop, get them VIP+ inspected, someone make a mistake and condem my tanks, then I have to replace them. I know I'm sounding cheap, but I don't exactly make a bunch of money and I love diving. My tanks allow me to make dives I wouldn't otherwise be able to make.

thanks

Tom

 

[ScubaSteveC]

There is no law that says that the 6061 alloy tanks (made after 1988) must be VIP+ inspected. I have had some shops tell me that they will refuse a fill unless my tanks (made in 1999)were VIP+ inspected because it is a law. Thats BS!!

If your tanks are made after 1988 and are in need of VIP inspection then get them inspected. There are certain protocals that a shop must (should) go through before they condemn a tank. If a shop condemns a tank (physically damaging it) without the owners permission. They could get themselves into some legal trouble. If a tank must be condemned they should contact the owner and give them the facts. If the owner does not want their tank physically damaged (ruining the threads) then the owner should sign a statement acknowledging the fact that the tank did not pass inspection and that the owner is removing the tank from service. This clears the shop legally, but like I stated in an earlier post, you never know what someone will do with a condemned tank.

If your tanks do not pass inspection the shop better not have damaged your tanks. You can send them to the manufacturer for inspection is cracks are suspected. This actually happened to a friend of mine that bought a couple of tanks off ebay that were the 6351 alloy. He had them VIP+ inspected, cracks were suspected, he sent them back to the manufacturer, and they stated that "no cracks were found".

Good luck

Steve

 

[nannerb82]

Any one know where I can pick up some more VIP stickers?

Thanks

 

[Ontario Diver]

I take the tanks into my DS, I give them $20 per tank - and they come back the next day with a brand new VIP sticker on them!

Very easy.

 

[nannerb82]

Local DS is 2 hours away... I get my tanks filled at the FD in town

 

[Uncle Pug]

Then you don't need VIP stickers.... do you?

 

[DivingGal]

Originally posted by Uncle Pug
Then you don't need VIP stickers.... do you?

I'm wondering like Uncle -- if you're getting them filled at the FD, do you need them? If you do, go once a year to the LDS and have your tanks checked and get the stickers then.