Bad tank alloy

[Stu S.]

A worker reading each tank to determine if the process is safe is a poor form of safety. It is "administrative control". A worker must understand rules, read the tank, and correctly decide if the process is safe. That's only one layer of safety, and a weak one.

"Engineered controls" would place the tank in a blast-proof container and not allow filling to start until that container is locked shut. The equipment should allow operation from a safe distance while filling. That's two layers of protection from the hazard, containment and distance.

What we often have is "customer control". The process has no built-in safety, except a sign saying no fills for pre-1990 cylinders. If the process was built to be safe, we would not have all the fuss about the tanks going into it.

 

[rjack321]

Why should I do air quality test every 3 months when after 42 years and thousands of fills I have never had bad air.

My sentiments exactly. I know every way I can get non-OCA gas out of my compressor. If I avoid all those pitfalls I should have good clean gas. If a new & novel pitfall arises, quarterly gas analysis has almost no prayer of catching it before I breathe it anyway. Thus monthly/quarterly/annual etc gas analysis is basically useless for a conscientious compressor owner.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My sentiments exactly. I know every way I can get non-OCA gas out of my compressor. If I avoid all those pitfalls I should have good clean gas. If a new & novel pitfall arises, quarterly gas analysis has almost no prayer of catching it before I breathe it anyway. Thus monthly/quarterly/annual etc gas analysis is basically useless for a conscientious compressor owner.

Absolutely. I will do a gas test on a new compressor/filter sytem and I will repeat the test at the end of the expected filter stack life to ensure it is still delivering acceptable gas quality.

After that I don't routinely test as a) if nothing changes in the sytem, nothing will change in what the sytem puts out and b) the gas is for my use and not customer use so I don't need the rather ineffective and pointless legal protection periodic testing may provide.

Instead, I focus on QA efforts on system maintenance and prevention of problems because it is gas that I use.

 

[captain]

A worker reading each tank to determine if the process is safe is a poor form of safety. It is "administrative control". A worker must understand rules, read the tank, and correctly decide if the process is safe. That's only one layer of safety, and a weak one.

"Engineered controls" would place the tank in a blast-proof container and not allow filling to start until that container is locked shut. The equipment should allow operation from a safe distance while filling. That's two layers of protection from the hazard, containment and distance.

What we often have is "customer control". The process has no built-in safety, except a sign saying no fills for pre-1990 cylinders. If the process was built to be safe, we would not have all the fuss about the tanks going into it.

But the first in line of protection is engineering controls, it's called hydro, eddy current test and visual inspection and that is all the filler should have to be concerned about.

 

[Stu S.]

But the first in line of protection is engineering controls, it's called hydro, eddy current test and visual inspection and that is all the filler should have to be concerned about.

Captain, I can't argue with that. Testing makes tanks safe when they are alone by themselves. I've had my 2640 psi cylinder filled to 3,900, and my old aluminum air tank partial pressure filled with oxygen. That indicates something wrong with the next step of the process.

You have this motto.....

 

[halocline]

This thread is a perfect example of the reason dive shops get routinely bashed on SB. Thank god they're not ALL like this guy's.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

This thread is a perfect example of the reason dive shops get routinely bashed on SB. Thank god they're not ALL like this guy's.

In retrospect he is kinda the perfect poster child to represent the much maligned (and in his case deservedly so) tank monkey.

 

[Texfrazer]

No, because i'm such a prick here on SB. But sweet as can be at the shop. Don't want my attitude here to carry into work.

Then I would be more careful about how much info I post, since Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center's website provides the same info that you posted in some of your reply's - including the time in business, Mare's equipment, etc.

Just sayin'

 

[Scared Silly]

I do not think SL27 is at Looe Keys Dive Center as their web site [ says:

The most professional dive and snorkel charter boat in the Middle and Lower Keys, Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center, located at Mile Marker 27.5 on Ramrod Key, has been sharing the best of Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary since 1978 - longer than anyone in the area!

This shop has had the same owner since 1971. Doubt it'll go anywhere until he dies.

So a seven year difference. That said last time I was in Looe Key they had a sign that something to the affect of "No fills for tanks made before 1990". I noticed they made no distinction between AL and steel cylinders. Of course then I noticed they only sold AL cylinders ... go figure.

 

[Arkman]

This topic got kind of crazy. Anyways. I finally got to look at my tank number and this is what they are CTC/DOT 3AL 3000-J 18996 WK 3.

I can have some one do the Vis Eddy and hydro and fill for 25 bucks. He won't charge me if they don't pass the eddy or hydro. It seems like a no brainer but I'm still a little concerned. I don't know if I should do it cause I'm worried that even if they pass they could be trouble.

What do you guys think? Am I worried about nothing?