How strict is the vis inspection expiry?

[Jim Lapenta]

It really is up to the shop since it's not a law but an "industry standard". So if the guy wanted to he could fill a tank without a vis as long as the hydro was current. A vis is no guarantee anyway for anything but the fill that was done when the vis was done.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I had a shop tell me once that VIP stickers ran out at the beginning of the month because it's possible that the tank was last vized on the first day of the month last time so if they honored the date all the way out to the end of the month then it potentially could be 13 months, or almost.

Then I've had other shops look for a hydro stamp only and fill it.
And I also remember a place that used to just fill and didn't look at anything (one particular mobile air fill trailer - they're gone now). This was a little scary, not for me because I am a fanatic about my tanks, but for somebody else who was clueless about tanks. In that situation there would need to be some self regulation.

I do all my own VIP's now so I don't worry about it.

 

[spectrum]

I had a shop tell me once that VIP stickers ran out at the beginning of the month because it's possible that the tank was last vized on the first day of the month last time so if they honored the date all the way out to the end of the month then it potentially could be 13 months, or almost.

I have heard that position as well but not at any shop I have used.

Presently I have 4 July 2012 cylinders in for fills and they were hooking them to the whips as I drove away.

It really is up to the shop however the common practice is to fill through the indicated month allowing for a "long year". Yes this allows a potential 13th month. To do the opposite could result in an 11 month year "short year" if inspected early in a month. This isn't the proverbial rocket science so honoring through the month makes sense.

The explanantion once posted for not allowing fills a year latter in the indicated month centered around a 2 year scenario. People with vacation homes and cylinders kept there for vacation use could get inspected in July of 1 year and have fills for their stay. They could then come back for their annual July visit and get fills for a second July. This effectively permits a 2 year cycle. Considering that they could then leave full cylinders waiting for year 3 they would be diving cylinders inspected 24 months or more prior. This shop considered this excessive and employed the "short year" policy. Of course anyone can store and dive old air so it's a fairly revenue centered piece of logic.

Kudos to the shops that rent for a fill or allow a slight lapse as a courtesy to the diver or renting shop.

Pete

 

[Scared Silly]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/144714-when-does-tank-visual-expire.html


Somewhere DOT states that the hydro expires at the end of the month. VIP should be good as well

However, the VIP year should not go past the hydro requal date.

 

[JS1scuba]

It really depends on the dive shop. But a visual inspection is valid the day it is done and has an expectation that it is good for up to 12 months after that. However the shop who refused to fill the cylinder was well within reason for not filling it. Rental cylinders are always suspect to significant abuse. As a fill technician I have no idea how or when that cylinder last was drained to zero, had water in it etc. At least with a fresh visual i have a reasonable expectation that the gal who inspected it did a proper job.

Visual inspections are for the safety of the diver and the fill technician.

Cheers
JDS

 

[oldschoolto]

Visual inspections are for the safety of the diver and the fill technician.

Jim...

 

[flots am]

Visual inspections are for the safety of the diver and the fill technician.

VIPs are good only until the first fill. After that, it's a crap shoot. The next time the tank could get filled with burned oil, water or anything else that makes it's way into the hose. A year is pretty arbitrary, although it's better than nothing.

The Eddy Current test, however is good for not blowing up the fill station guy.

flots