SCUBA tank storage: apartment w/ no-hazmat lease

[D_B]

Interesting .. you can have a charged fire extingisher in your apartment, even though it may be classed as a HazMat .. but a charged scuba tank is somehow different?
... I wont be storing mine empty

 

[Croomrider]

I would just pretend they are not Hazmat and assume she thinks that way as well. Then just casually ask her, "You don't have a problem with my scuba tanks do you?"

Mike

 

[divenutny]

If your landlady is concerned, discuss the issue with her. I am under the impression that a fully pressurized tank might be considered a hazardous material. I suspect you need several tanks before you would get attention from anyone. Yes, a full fire extinguisher might be considered a hazardous material when shipping. Being practical, the extinguisher has no use if it is empty.

Bottom line, should the landlady have an issue, tell her your tanks are checked each year, never overfilled, always kept within normal working levels. Remember, there is a burst disk to prevent tank failures should the tank pressure get too high. Doubt she will have any issue. Keep them out of sight, they will remain out of mind. I am fairly confident that no tank being stored has exploded, that was not over filled and checked annually. The tanks that have had issues were either over pressurized, hydro/vis was expired, or failed while getting filled. I would not share my last statement with your landlady. Otherwise, find another place to store the tanks

Hope all goes well. - Tom

 

[D_B]

FGS don't say anything about a Burst Disk ! or failed tanks!

 

[Web Monkey]

Interesting .. you can have a charged fire extingisher in your apartment, even though it may be classed as a HazMat .. but a charged scuba tank is somehow different?
... I wont be storing mine empty

Fire extinguishers are only charged to a couple of hundred PSI, not 3000.

Terry

 

[D_B]

If it's classed as a HazMat (I don't know that, but it's been said here) .. what difference does it make in legaleez?

 

[letterboy]

I live in the Tomonium/Towson/Hunt Valley area. I will store your tanks for you if need be. Just tell me where you need them picked up from

 

[bigken462]

I share your delima ,and i'm upstairs to boot! It got mighty old toting all that crap up here in the past. The last thing I would never do however is be dishonest with my landlord, as we may use the building as our homes,however under no means is it our property to do with it as we wish. That said, most folks who hear the word hazardous material think its harmful to our health. Show them the gear, attach a regulator, take a few puffs of "air" and show her its completely safe to breath. I would not suggest using helium. Lol. Be sure to explain the purpose of a burst disk as it relates to a fire etc. You may also win some points by comparing these to the 100% Oxygen bottles in which many medical patients use, then of course mention that these are way below even the concentration of those. Educate them as to what you have, ensure to them you will take extra precautions to ensure no damage is done to the walls or floor etc.

Renters insurance would be a must for me in this instance, but in reality you should have it anyhow as most places are pretty cheap. In my case, I use a dive trailer and have to deal with the hassle's of parking etc, but then again, when I come in late from a weekend of diving, I simply lock it up and get my but in bed. Quite honestly the trailer was one of the best purchases I've ever made next to my first cylinders. Home owners have their garages to piddle in, I have the dive trailer. I'm out there doing something in it a few times a week at least.

As a second alternative to a trailer, you may consider renting you a small storage building for about 45-50 bucks a month to store all your gear in. Sure as heck better to stink up a storage building than your bathroom. Just make sure you check your booties for critters before the next dive!!!!!!!

Safe Diving,

Kenny

 

[scubadiver888]

The landlady will be living in another room in the same apartment so she'll know they're there. I doubt she'll have a problem with it whether I get the terms changed or not, but...

I've dealt with a few nasty people in the past that will used any means they have to get you. I'd rather not move in to a place and already be violating a signed agreement that could later be held against me, ya know? If I absolutely couldn't move my tanks in, I'd rather just find another place to live and have the peace of mind that I won't have any legal/contractual surprises. I'll also be visiting the closest dive shop to see if they know about any city ordinances or the like that might be the reason for this.

So back to my original question: any ideas of how to convince a non-diver of the lack of danger involved in residential SCUBA tank storage?

Tell them it is air. The same air you are breathing right now. Open the value on a tank of air then light a match. Bring the match closer and closer until the air stream blows it out.

If you think they'll freak out at this then hook up a regulator and have them sniff the air as you hold the purge value (if you want you can let them breath from it but I personally wouldn't want my landlord putting their mouth on my reg).

If someone is just looking to find something to hold against you, none of this matters. It is usually safer to 1) move or 2) convince them they have no legal grounds.

Someone has already mentioned it but your local fire department probably handles HAZMAT situations. They might have a group specifically for HAZMAT. I'm sure they could tell you the rules. In my area there is no problem having tanks of air in an apartment. We are not allowed to bring propane tanks into the building. Oxygen tanks are okay but only to a certain size (you'll notice the tanks people use for oxygen therapy are a lot smaller than most tanks used for scuba). Different locations will probably have different rules.

 

[nwhitney2003]

In the US it's nobody's business what we have in our homes as long as it's not illegal. Of course the weiners and criminals(liberals in congress included) would like to make guns illegal. That way when Joe ********* breaks in he knows you're not going to blow him back out the door with a 12 guage. Of course give the crooks a chance and they'll make scuba tanks illegal since you could do a nice job on a crooks skull with one. Keep your mouth shut about the tanks. Just don't drop one and knock the valve off. The hole will be hard to explain. They are again as was stated sporting goods. The DOT regs have alot of useless crap in em as well. They can't help it. It's government agency.

Please don't listen to JimLap. It is the business of the homeowner/property owner/landlord when something such as a scuba tank, which may fall under the guidelines of HAZMAT, is brought into the residence. There is some good advice on here about being honest with your landlady and educating her. If you deceive her in any way, even by playing dumb, and get yourself evicted that will be on your renters history and will make renting elsewhere tough. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense, as a citizen you have the responsibility to be informed of local, state, & federal laws. Saying "I thought she was 18 your honor" is not a legal defense when charged with rape. I know that's an extreme example but I think it gets the point across. As far as a storage unit that is a good idea except they too will have the same rules when it comes to scuba tanks/HAZMAT items. If you don't tell her and she finds out she will wonder what your trying to hide and will make for an awkward living arrangement. The argument about a scuba tank being sport equipment doesn't hold much weight when you think about how many pieces of sport equipment out there are regulated by the DOT.