Re-inspector won't vip

[richboslice]

I live in a remote area in TN. The only guy around to hydro test is the guy that does all the SCBA'S, fire extinguishers and pressure vessels for weld suppliers. He said that he is required to do a visual before and after the hydro test. He does a thorough job and showed me his procedures outlined by his DOT/PHMSA. He is strictly by the book. He says his stamp verifies the visual and he isn't allowed to add any other markings besides his stamp, which includes a sticker. The closest shops, 1 1/2 hours away want $30 to do another visual. Anybody else run into anything like this? On the verge of just getting certified to do visuals myself.

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[redacted]

I live in a remote area in TN. The only guy around to hydro test is the guy that does all the SCBA'S, fire extinguishers and pressure vessels for weld suppliers. He said that he is required to do a visual before and after the hydro test. He does a thorough job and showed me his procedures outlined by his DOT/PHMSA. He is strictly by the book. He says his stamp verifies the visual and he isn't allowed to add any other markings besides his stamp, which includes a sticker. The closest shops, 1 1/2 hours away want $30 to do another visual. Anybody else run into anything like this? On the verge of just getting certified to do visuals myself.

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What do you do for fills?

 

[richboslice]

That's the problem.

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[runsongas]

the hydro guy probably isn't a psi pci inspector is why he can't provide you a visual on top of the hydro.

 

[Herb-alaska]

A hydro with in the first year is supposed to verify that a visual was done. The key is that visual inspections are a scuba industry requirement not a federal requirement and as such the shop that fills the tank makes the rule on what they will accept for a inspection proof I have heard of shops refusing to honor certified inspections that were bone by tank owner because it was not done by a shop. Best bit is to call the shop that will fill the tank and ask if they will accept the hydro stamp as verification of the viz inspect

 

[spectrum]

The industrial/extinguisher oriented hydro station will in fact perform visuals as part of the hydro static test procedure. However they are simply testing the cylinder, not necessarily ensuring that is was sealed off and pressurized with breathing air. This is where the dive shop takes over and how they justify a slice of the pie.

As mentioned self inspected cylinders may not be honored regardless of your training. The fact that you do not have business liability insurance to cover the cylinders you inspected is the common explanation.

It's a well guarded revenue stream.

Pete

 

[AfterDark]

What you need to do is save your money and buy a compressor. As long as you don't refuse to fill your own tanks for not having a VIP sticker you'll be good. I'll also note that in 45 years of diving nobody from any government regulatory agency has ever asked to see the hydro stamp on my tanks, only dive shops. That compressor could pay for itself in fills,VIPs and hydros savings. Just sayin'.

 

[richboslice]

I'm totally ok with safety inspections. I just don't want to pay some guy $30, which equates to $90 for 3 tanks, for something that has already been done. He does breathable air because he does SCBA'S for the local FD'S. There is no defect that is unique to scuba that get past a thorough visual inspection. Buying stickers will be my next step.

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[Jax]

I'm totally ok with safety inspections. I just don't want to pay some guy $30, which equates to $90 for 3 tanks, for something that has already been done. He does breathable air because he does SCBA'S for the local FD'S. There is no defect that is unique to scuba that get past a thorough visual inspection. Buying stickers will be my next step.

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You don't wanna, but what are your choices?

You won't get them filled.

 

[oly5050user]

I see it as either the tank is empty and the LDS requires as store policy to perform a visual to ensure there is nothing in tank, OR the LDS requires the visual sticker on the tank to have the name,address, phone number of the INSURED facility that performed the procedure. At a cost of $30 per tank, that is way too expensive. Even by New York standards, here we charge $15 and that includes an air fill that normally is $7..so a visual here in reality comes out to $8.. Very cheap insurance to be sure of no water , rust, oxidation in tank, especially after a hydro test. Doubles are more labor so there is a $25 breakdown/assembly fee, but that can be waived if you want to do it yourself in the shop with your own tools.

---------- Post added October 25th, 2015 at 09:03 AM ----------

I'm totally ok with safety inspections. I just don't want to pay some guy $30, which equates to $90 for 3 tanks, for something that has already been done. He does breathable air because he does SCBA'S for the local FD'S. There is no defect that is unique to scuba that get past a thorough visual inspection. Buying stickers will be my next step.

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most LDS will not accept generic stickers that do not have the name,address,phone number of the insured facility that performed the procedure. So buying stickers will not work for you.