dflipp:
Perhaps XS Scuba can address this question:
I went to my LDS this week to buy a new XS Scuba Aluminum 100. I read on the XS website that all of their cylinders are shipped O2 clean. When I got to the shop, I was told that I would have to pay an extra ~$40 to have it "re-cleaned" if I wanted to have it filled with nitrox. They use partial pressure blending. They claimed that their distributor had recommended this to them. Since it is so clearly stated on the XS website that the cylinders are ready for O2 service from the factory I felt like the LDS was trying to charge me for a service I did not need and left without the cylinder. Why would the distributor contradict the information on the XS website?
This particular shop is very strict about following safety procedures when doing partial pressure fills. This is a good thing and I respect them for that. But in this case it seems they are being a bit anal.
Did the specific cylinder in question come "from the factory" with the valve installed? If the valve was installed did the specific cylinder in question come "from the factory" with pressurized air in it?
If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then the cleaning done at your local shop should be entirely unnecessary. If the vavle was off the cylinder when it arrived at your local shop, then they do have a point to argue, although if the cylinder was sealed in a box and a plug was threaded into the top of the cylinder, and the valve was sealed in a plastic bag then this point is not a strong one.
I have probably never been anywhere near your local shop but I would guess that either they are being over cautious, or they are trying to get a few extra dollars from you.
A while back I purchased two new pressed steel cylinders from a local shop here in Southern California. I told the owner that I wanted them filled with Nitrox, he said that he would need to clean the new cylinders. I told him that I thought the new cylinders from PST came from the factory cleaned already. He was under the impression that they were only cleaned for premixed Nitrox up to 40%, but that he would call and check. I told him that it would be a few days before I needed the cylinders and that he should do whatever was required to safely fill the cylinders.
He called and checked, and was told by PST that the cylinders and valve were indeed cleaned for up to 100% oxygen. He did not charge me for an extra cleaning, he apologized for his misunderstanding, and had the cylinders ready with the right mix in them when I came back a few days later.
In my case it was an honest error on the part of the shop owner. Your situation may be different, I don't know.
Mark Vlahos