Tank failing Visual, shop condemned the tank?

[acarter92]

Hello,
I recently started diving again after a 3 year break. I took all 6 of my tanks to a LDS, most of the them needed hydro, they all needed VIS. My wife picked them up today and one of them failed the visual inspection. It also needed Hydro, but since it failed their visual they didn't send it for Hydro (makes perfect sense). I was surprised to find out that they wrote "condemned" all over it in sharpie and XXX's over the stamps. It's my understanding that a shop has no right to mark up a tank that failed a VIS, because visuals are based off of opinion right?

They said it had corrosion inside probably caused by the tank being completely bled off and saltwater getting inside, since I haven't owned the tank since new this is possible. But, I had the tank VIS'd, O2 cleaned and filled with Nitrox 3 years ago, and didn't end up using it at all, so it was still full to 3000PSI with the air from it's last VIS. This was done at a different LDS where I used to live and had a great relationship with.

So, do they have a right to "condemn" my tank based off a failed VIS? Upon looking inside with a flashlight I can't see anything bad going on, but it would have been nice to get a second opinion from another LDS before trashing my tank.

Since I didn't pick up the tanks I wasn't able to question them at pickup, so I just wanted to get some opinions on the matter before I call them next week.


Thanks.

 

[Capt. Bas]

Easy solution.
Use some solvent to wipe the marks. You may need a brush due to the rough aluminium.
Have a look inside yourself as the pressure and valve are removed.
If all looks more or less oke. Bring it towards another lds and send it directly for its hydro.

Make some pictures in advance and when it comes back tested “go kick some ass”.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

---

---

A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved from Basic

---

 

[tursiops]

Hello,
I recently started diving again after a 3 year break. I took all 6 of my tanks to a LDS, most of the them needed hydro, they all needed VIS. My wife picked them up today and one of them failed the visual inspection. It also needed Hydro, but since it failed their visual they didn't send it for Hydro (makes perfect sense). I was surprised to find out that they wrote "condemned" all over it in sharpie and XXX's over the stamps. It's my understanding that a shop has no right to mark up a tank that failed a VIS, because visuals are based off of opinion right?

They said it had corrosion inside probably caused by the tank being completely bled off and saltwater getting inside, since I haven't owned the tank since new this is possible. But, I had the tank VIS'd, O2 cleaned and filled with Nitrox 3 years ago, and didn't end up using it at all, so it was still full to 3000PSI with the air from it's last VIS. This was done at a different LDS where I used to live and had a great relationship with.

So, do they have a right to "condemn" my tank based off a failed VIS? Upon looking inside with a flashlight I can't see anything bad going on, but it would have been nice to get a second opinion from another LDS before trashing my tank.

Since I didn't pick up the tanks I wasn't able to question them at pickup, so I just wanted to get some opinions on the matter before I call them next week.


Thanks.

It appears to be an Aluminum tank, right? What are the letters/numbers on the neck? Corrosion? Not likely.

They haven't actually "condemmed it;" that requires stamping over the neck info, not using sharpies. What they have done is NOT according to the book! And they should have a signed waiver from you PRIOR to inspection that you understand the cylinder may be taken out of service, and they owe you a written explanation of what they've done. At the very most, they should have only "rejected" it and given you a chance to fix whatever problem exists...

 

[W W Meixner]

Hello,
I recently started diving again after a 3 year break. I took all 6 of my tanks to a LDS, most of the them needed hydro, they all needed VIS. My wife picked them up today and one of them failed the visual inspection. It also needed Hydro, but since it failed their visual they didn't send it for Hydro (makes perfect sense). I was surprised to find out that they wrote "condemned" all over it in sharpie and XXX's over the stamps. It's my understanding that a shop has no right to mark up a tank that failed a VIS, because visuals are based off of opinion right?

They said it had corrosion inside probably caused by the tank being completely bled off and saltwater getting inside, since I haven't owned the tank since new this is possible. But, I had the tank VIS'd, O2 cleaned and filled with Nitrox 3 years ago, and didn't end up using it at all, so it was still full to 3000PSI with the air from it's last VIS. This was done at a different LDS where I used to live and had a great relationship with.

So, do they have a right to "condemn" my tank based off a failed VIS? Upon looking inside with a flashlight I can't see anything bad going on, but it would have been nice to get a second opinion from another LDS before trashing my tank.

Since I didn't pick up the tanks I wasn't able to question them at pickup, so I just wanted to get some opinions on the matter before I call them next week.


Thanks.

AC...

A shop can condemn anything they like...I draw a line on drilling/XXX stamping the serial number without consultation with the ''valued'' customer/cylinder owner...the cylinder is not their property to damage/destroy...

3AL cylinder...likely all it needs is to be ''whip brushed''...or tumbled...

Remove the marker ink with acetone/laquer thinner...and take it to another shop for VIP/hydro...

If it passes...which I'm sure it will...find another LDS...probably/maybe dosen't cut it...more like lazy/lacking cleaning tools/materials/experience/knowledge...certainly not someone I'd want looking after my regulators...or anything else requiring ''precision''...

Best...

Warren

 

[BoltSnap]

Did they give you a complete written report of the test? Are they PCI or TDI Tank inspection facility?

 

[runsongas]

Hello,
I recently started diving again after a 3 year break. I took all 6 of my tanks to a LDS, most of the them needed hydro, they all needed VIS. My wife picked them up today and one of them failed the visual inspection. It also needed Hydro, but since it failed their visual they didn't send it for Hydro (makes perfect sense). I was surprised to find out that they wrote "condemned" all over it in sharpie and XXX's over the stamps. It's my understanding that a shop has no right to mark up a tank that failed a VIS, because visuals are based off of opinion right?

They said it had corrosion inside probably caused by the tank being completely bled off and saltwater getting inside, since I haven't owned the tank since new this is possible. But, I had the tank VIS'd, O2 cleaned and filled with Nitrox 3 years ago, and didn't end up using it at all, so it was still full to 3000PSI with the air from it's last VIS. This was done at a different LDS where I used to live and had a great relationship with.

So, do they have a right to "condemn" my tank based off a failed VIS? Upon looking inside with a flashlight I can't see anything bad going on, but it would have been nice to get a second opinion from another LDS before trashing my tank.

Since I didn't pick up the tanks I wasn't able to question them at pickup, so I just wanted to get some opinions on the matter before I call them next week.


Thanks.

take them directly to a registered hydrostatic tester and skip the middle man. also ask if they can shot blast your tank to clean it.

 

[SandyRobinson]

I may be spoiled by one of my LDSs but when they found rust in one of my steel tanks, they called me and recommended a tumbling. Guess I would have thought your shop would have offered the same service or recommended another shop if they could not do it. As mentioned above, someone can probably help you.

 

[Justin Bove]

If I fail a tank durning visual inspection I drill a hole in the neck, or if I'm feeling nice cut the tank in half on the bandsaw so you can make a cool dinner bell. Of course I make you sign a pre-inspection waiver, then provide a detailed VIP sheet and take pictures of the damage to cover my butt. It might make you mad, but I can't let you have a potential 3000 PSI bomb waiting to happen. You or your next of kin and everyone hurt will sue me.
The reason why most PSI/PCI accredited VIP shops don't call you before permanently destroying your cylinder is two fold. One you signed a release form that specified what would happen (destroyed) if it failed visual inspection. Two if you call the customer and tell them you have to make the cylinder inoperable they will argue with you and try to bully you in to giving it back undamaged....My lawyer will blah blah.... It's just smarter to decommission the faulty tank and tell you afterwards. If you want to sue me for a $100 tank go ahead...I have signed form, pictures of damage, and was protecting you and everyone coming in contact with the cylinder.

 

[Justin Bove]

If a tank has rust inside, some pitting, contamination, minor crack, or a damaged thread doesn't mean it will fail a visual inspection. 99.999% of tanks will be fine with a tumble and clean and pass a VIP. Only truly dangerous tanks will fail a VIP.