Do VIP & hydro requirements apply for argon tanks?
Argon tank questions
- Thread starter rhwestfall
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claymore
Contributor
Hydo does, it is a Dot requirement. I would guess that visual may not because it is not breathing gas. Visual Inspection is a scuba industry standard not a government requirement.
OP
you used the word "guess"......
-Hydro is REQUIRED every 5 years by 49 CFR 180.209
-Visual Inspection is REQUIRED at time of Hydro every 5 years per 49 CFR 180.209
-If the Cylinder is manufactured from 6351-T6 Aluminum Alloy, Eddy Current Examination is REQUIRED at time of hydro in addition to the Hydro and Visual Inspection per 49 CFR Appendix C
Exception: Cylinders less than 2 inches in diameter AND less than 2 feet in length are exempt from this requirement.
-Annual Visual Inspection is not required by law but has become the dive industry standard.
-All Cylinder manufactures recommend annual visual inspections for cylinders used in the dive industry
-Luxfer Cylinders recommends an annual Eddy Current Inspection in addition to a visual inspection for their cylinders manufactured out of 6351-T6 Aluminum Alloy.
These requirements are for DOT Specification 3A, 3AA, and 3AL cylinders regardless of the gas inside of them.
-Visual Inspection is REQUIRED at time of Hydro every 5 years per 49 CFR 180.209
-If the Cylinder is manufactured from 6351-T6 Aluminum Alloy, Eddy Current Examination is REQUIRED at time of hydro in addition to the Hydro and Visual Inspection per 49 CFR Appendix C
Exception: Cylinders less than 2 inches in diameter AND less than 2 feet in length are exempt from this requirement.
-Annual Visual Inspection is not required by law but has become the dive industry standard.
-All Cylinder manufactures recommend annual visual inspections for cylinders used in the dive industry
-Luxfer Cylinders recommends an annual Eddy Current Inspection in addition to a visual inspection for their cylinders manufactured out of 6351-T6 Aluminum Alloy.
These requirements are for DOT Specification 3A, 3AA, and 3AL cylinders regardless of the gas inside of them.
victorzamora
Contributor
tl;dr: Yes.
OP
so, a vis @ hydro (so once every 5 years) is necessary for an ARGON vessel, and no annual...
The 5 year hydro and vis is required by law. The annual vis is a dive industry standard. Therefore a dive shop may require you to get the vis before they will fill your tank as a shop policy.
OP
ShopShop is not an Argon source.,.
Heck, I can barely get nitrox outside a two month window...
Heck, I can barely get nitrox outside a two month window...
Hydro is required by law for industry, not private individuals
If your argon tank is your private cylinder and you are not transporting the cylinder on public roads, then there is no requirement for anything
Smart people follow industry standards at a minimum
If your argon tank is your private cylinder and you are not transporting the cylinder on public roads, then there is no requirement for anything
Smart people follow industry standards at a minimum
There are precious few scuba police...
From a practical point of view - if you have your own Argon source to get an appropriate fill: 3000psi, 2015psi whatever - then you don't need a visual or hydro. If the integrity of the cylinder was compromised (say by cracking or corrosion) - as the fill station operator, you are most likely to bear any consequences. Such a person probably already has a supply of argon, a booster, a fill station / whip, and is probably already certified by TDI or PSI to do their own visual inspection. You can make an informed decision about when to inspect or service your equipment.
If you are going to employ the services of a commercial dive shop to get a fill - you'll need a VIS and Hydro.
Bjorn
From a practical point of view - if you have your own Argon source to get an appropriate fill: 3000psi, 2015psi whatever - then you don't need a visual or hydro. If the integrity of the cylinder was compromised (say by cracking or corrosion) - as the fill station operator, you are most likely to bear any consequences. Such a person probably already has a supply of argon, a booster, a fill station / whip, and is probably already certified by TDI or PSI to do their own visual inspection. You can make an informed decision about when to inspect or service your equipment.
If you are going to employ the services of a commercial dive shop to get a fill - you'll need a VIS and Hydro.
Bjorn
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