Worthington HP 100s failed first hydro

[Skooter]

Not to be rude but the serial number is not XXX'ed . The approved method is stamping XXX's over the DOT specification number and the marked pressure, or stamp CODEMNED on the cylinder

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Skooter - you are correct, I apologize, it is the DOT Specification Number that is "X"d out. That certainly shows the risk of multi-tasking ScubaBoard while doing other things here! Thank you!

 

[OldNSalty]

So how does this give the tank owner an recourse? Lets assume for a minute that the testing center made a mistake If they X out the serial number but I still get someone else to test it and it passes-what then? I'm not in that situation. I am just wondering.

 

[Skooter]

That's a huge gray area. There is no requirement that I know of that would dictate how this would be handled. It would depend on the test facility or shop to handle it. We can only hope that that person could admit to a mistake and make things right with their customer. I am interested to hear what others think on that one.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Nope, at that point you are screwed. Any alteration to the cylinder markings, including, of courses "X"'s stamped across the DOT spec info, would not allow the cylinder to move beyond the initial stage, and would not be hydro'd.

Hence my urgent post early on in this thread about not letting the tester condemn the cylinders, just take them back if at all possible.

 

[Scared Silly]

So how does this give the tank owner an recourse? Lets assume for a minute that the testing center made a mistake If they X out the serial number but I still get someone else to test it and it passes-what then? I'm not in that situation. I am just wondering.

If a cylinder fails hydro the tester is require to XXX out the DOT Specs. At that point it is scrap unless you want to fill them yourself. I just scraped a Norris steel 72 that used to have DOT 3AA2250 on it. It now has DOT 3AXXXXX. It was a true failure of steel 72.

If the owner questions the test it is best to take it to another facility for a retest. If it passes the test, then I would go back to the first station and start the discussion as to why it failed and then passed. For instance, did the station to a calibration test that day? Did the tester follow the correct test procedure and pressure? I would even allow the test to be performed again by the original facility with me there of course. If there is any evidence that the test was not properly done or it passes their second test then we will discuss a replacement at their cost.

BTW with the cylinder of mine that failed, it's sibling barely passed. Given they were siblings and that they had the same life as doubles and it was their first hydro in 25 years it could be any number of reasons as why they failed. Mostly though I bummed cause they were a matched set of doubled 72s.

 

[idive2]

I would hope the hydro station would be very certain before failing what
might be a 400 dollar tank. I wonder how taking it elsewhere for a retest
would go with the DOT numbers X'ed out ? I also wonder if doing a second
test at the same hydro station is ever done to be absolutely sure ?

 

[joystershell]

I would hope that perhaps hydro stations would retest any tanks that fails, in an attempt to prevent condemnation of questionable tanks. Retest before making a final determination.

 

[Skooter]

There are procedures to perform a retest. I like to believe that any prudent hydro test facility would use them. Especially on a "new" tank like the op has before condeming the tank

 

[rjack321]

There are procedures to perform a retest. I like to believe that any prudent hydro test facility would use them. Especially on a "new" tank like the op has before condeming the tank

Where? Not in the CFRs. There's no official re-hydro test option on any cylinder. Even if they eff it up XXX out the DOT stamp and its done.

There is a pretest "round out" proceedure which is recommended but not legally required to be done. If its not done the 3442psi exemption tanks will reliably fail. I suspect this was an omission on the hydrotesters part, there is not much recourse for the owner unless they admit to leaving that recommended proceedure out.