PCDC Storage bottle blows

[pcbdownunder]

I was by the Panama City Dive Center yesterday (June22) and they are again filling air tanks, but don't have their Nitrox up and running. Mike and Jerry said they apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused for their loyal diving friends.

 

[Rick Christ]

Panama City Dive Center blows out the wall.
Tank explosion takes out wall at dive shop - The News Herald
June 13, 2009

 

[Rick Christ]

more photos
I couldn't get them all on one post

 

[mike_s]

wow..... those are some freakin' rusty cylinder banks.....

if they are that rusty visually, why the heck would you have them in service with high pressure air? ???????

is this a hydro date of 7 60 (as in 1960?) on this cylinder?

 

[fppf]

looks that way, I think the one above it says 6-56??
Look at the first pic in the set of four, it does not look like a wrench has touched those fittings and valves in a really long time. Never mind the fact that these blew up, but all the crap inside, you want to breath that?

 

[mike_s]

yeah I wondered if that above stamp was from 1956. nothing wrong with old cylinders if they are properly maintained.... but that is key. that's a pretty rusty cylinder to be using for anything, much less for commercial use.

as for the rust, PCDC sits about a block off the beach. so salt spray is going to affect anything...



I'm no professional expert on cylinder bank systems, but this setup doesn't look all that great of a maintained system. (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[Rick Christ]

Never mind the fact that these blew up, but all the crap inside, you want to breath that?

That is the settlement of the sand that fell back down on the cylinder from the ground under the tanks. In addition, concrete chucks from the wall are left on the ruptured tank.

 

[Rick Christ]

that's a pretty rusty cylinder to be using for anything, much less for commercial use.

as for the rust, PCDC sits about a block off the beach. so salt spray is going to affect anything...



I'm no professional expert on cylinder bank systems, but this setup doesn't look all that great of a maintained system. (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Picture #38 is extreme/severe line corrosion

 

[fppf]

Um, yeah no duh the sand is from blast derby, I'm talking about all the rust and scale on the inside of the tank. If you did a visual on a steel scuba cylinder you would try to tumble it or fail it, but not put it back in service.

As for the salt spray, that should be taken into account during the install and maintenance routines. The steel must be protected, maybe a small shed structure, paint, wash downs, or all of the above.

 

[TheMadDane]

How about just sand blasting and painting? These tanks look like they could have gone up at any time....

:whack: Oh wait... They DID! :whack: ​