Nitrox Tank Marking

[KevinNM]

That's my thought too. It seems that just putting a piece of blue painters tape on them isn't the best solution.

it’s my tank, my problem.

 

[tbone1004]

I'm not aware of any citations issued, and the "nitrox bands" are certainly not a CGA, DOT, or OSHA thing since they are not present on industrial bottles. The only thing required on those is the fill sticker from the fill stations.
@Tacoma Lighthouse please cite your references on those claims and who told you that because they are not required. There are hazmat placards and CDL requirements for anyone moving 1000lbs of more of filled cylinders, but the "nitrox bands" are a scuba industry thing and there is no legal requirements to have them.

fun fact, NOAA does not mandate nitrox labels. They are supposed to have them to separate from air, but the NDCSB has the ability to write exemption. Trimix does not have the same labels, even if it is higher than 23.5%. You would think that if it was a legal requirement, a government entity would abide by it.

Also for funsies, if the dive shop isn't transporting them, they can't be fined for anything. Nor can they be fined for bank bottles being out of hydro, or a myriad of other things the scuba industry likes to spew as a legal reason when it is not

 

[mainedvr]

Apologies if this has been asked already, but I didn't see it when searching.

I just purchased two new Faber Steel 100 tanks from a local dive shop. They are filling them with Nitrox for me and when I asked if they had the standard Nitrox label bands, they said that they don't recommend them because of saltwater getting between the label and the tank potentially causing issues and ultimately decreasing the life of the tank.

This goes against everything we are taught in the PADI Nitrox course. Is this a valid point? I'm thinking that it shouldn't be an issue and the band should be applied for safety.

TIA!

I did not read the other post but having the sticker does not tell you what gas is in the tank you need to analyze you gas and my nitrox fills do not require me to even have O2 cleaned tanks. I know that it is preached in some courses, but from what I see is not really the standard anymore.

 

[mainedvr]

I thought the same. Does everyone reanalyze to confirm the blend percentage on rentals?

Every time

 

[mainedvr]

Seems like an odd response. How else would one know these tanks had Nitrox in them?

analyze them?

 

[Johnoly]

.. The only thing required on those is the fill sticker from the fill stations....

Had a SoFl shop make me write the MOD number on each nitrox tank because they said it was the "law".
Sometimes it's just not worth the time to argue so you can get the heck out of that shop and get something to eat. So I wrote 15 feet on all the stickers and they were happy.

 

[KeithG]

I will refer you to 49CFR171.2 which defines the requirements for markings on hazardous materials (Yes, scuba cylinders are hazardous materials) and OSHA guidelines that define air as 19.5% to 23.5% oxygen. As such, Nitrox cylinders must be marked as such and Compressed Gas Association guidelines do not accept an evidence of inspection decal as proper marking for the cylinder contents. These rules apply to anyone in “commerce”, e.g. your LDC, who packages hazardous materials (fills your cylinder) for transportation on public roads (in your car). If an inspector from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or OSHA were to observe your LDC violating these requirements the LDC can be cited and face significant civil penalties.


Therefore, yes, your cylinder does need to have a “NITROX” banner on it and when so marked, must contain a Nitrox mixture in excess of 23.5% oxygen. It is illegal to fill a cylinder with less than 23.5% oxygen in a cylinder marked for Nitrox, just as it is illegal to put greater than 23.5% oxygen in cylinders not appropriately marked. All of this is “clear as mud”, except to the inspectors and bureaucrats.

This has been discussed before. I found this thread I am sure there are others...
NITROX marked tanks MUST be filled to 24% or greater?