DaleC
Contributor
Humm... Perhaps You should talk to your Inspector training agency.
From PSI/PCI:
The aluminum cylinder cracking issue came to light in the early 80s. The dive industry has been slow to understand the facts surrounding the actual issue. They were however quick to learn that cylinder sales can be brisk by citing the perceived danger. Many dive business employees use the adage we are using industry standards to be safe which simply do not exist. Industry practices may exist but are wildly interpreted and carried out by individuals who assume they are knowledgeable following a Salty Sea Dogs method of inspecting cylinders; after all, he has inspected cylinders for 25 years! We often hear from those less informed that aluminum cylinders should not be used after 10, 15 or even 20 years. Aluminum cylinders do not have a limited lifespan! They are valid for continued service as long as they pass required inspections and tests in accordance with the Federal Government. Aluminum cylinders produced for the diving industry in 1972 are valid for service today as long as they pass required inspections and tests...
PSI-PCI - Cylinder Inspections and Ethics
and:
Some air stations no longer fill cylinders made from 6351 alloy. While that is a personal decision, it may be a poor business practice. A few dive business employees have told cylinder owners that 6351 alloy cylinders have been recalled. NO, scuba cylinders have been recalled. Others state that the cylinder must be condemned outright. Such statements border on fraud and it is illegal to condemn a cylinder without proof that it is damaged beyond allowable limits...
PSI-PCI - A short Review of 6351 Alloy Aluminum Cylinders
From PSI/PCI:
The aluminum cylinder cracking issue came to light in the early 80s. The dive industry has been slow to understand the facts surrounding the actual issue. They were however quick to learn that cylinder sales can be brisk by citing the perceived danger. Many dive business employees use the adage we are using industry standards to be safe which simply do not exist. Industry practices may exist but are wildly interpreted and carried out by individuals who assume they are knowledgeable following a Salty Sea Dogs method of inspecting cylinders; after all, he has inspected cylinders for 25 years! We often hear from those less informed that aluminum cylinders should not be used after 10, 15 or even 20 years. Aluminum cylinders do not have a limited lifespan! They are valid for continued service as long as they pass required inspections and tests in accordance with the Federal Government. Aluminum cylinders produced for the diving industry in 1972 are valid for service today as long as they pass required inspections and tests...
PSI-PCI - Cylinder Inspections and Ethics
and:
Some air stations no longer fill cylinders made from 6351 alloy. While that is a personal decision, it may be a poor business practice. A few dive business employees have told cylinder owners that 6351 alloy cylinders have been recalled. NO, scuba cylinders have been recalled. Others state that the cylinder must be condemned outright. Such statements border on fraud and it is illegal to condemn a cylinder without proof that it is damaged beyond allowable limits...
PSI-PCI - A short Review of 6351 Alloy Aluminum Cylinders