At the 2002 DEMA trade show Luxfer Gas Cylinders
introduced it’s newly designed hoop-wrapped composite cylinder for scuba
with an increased volume. This composite high pressure cylinder adds a
new dimension to diving and a new obligation to cylinder inspectors.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) exemption (E12479) under which this
cylinder is made includes special requirements for fill station operators
and the technician who inspects it; requirements that differ from
conventional SCUBA cylinders.
Different from both solid wall steel and aluminum
cylinders, cylinders made under E12479 have a 15-year maximum life, the
same as the fire fighter’s composite cylinders. Additionally, DOT
regulations require that E12479 cylinders MUST be visually inspected at
least annually and that inspection MUST be conducted by a cylinder visual
inspector trained (and current) by Professional Scuba Inspectors, Inc.
(PSI). While all persons inspecting every cylinder are expected to
have documented formal training, inspectors of composite cylinder MUST
have specialized training to properly assess the condition of the
composite material. Any composite damage must be compared to the
Compressed Gas Association (CGA) level I, Level II or Level III damage
criteria.
In addition to annual visual inspections, Luxfer is
obligated to examine and evaluate samples of these cylinders throughout
their service life. For that reason Luxfer will be recalling
selected in-service, privately owned, E12479 cylinders for technical
evaluation. The owners of these recalled E12479 cylinders will
receive a new cylinder at no cost upon returning their E12479 cylinder
Luxfer. A lucky group will have their cylinder recalled at 12 years
meaning they will get a new cylinder with a new 15-year life.
The federally required annual inspection may only be
conducted by a technician who is not only PSI certified, but must also
understand how to assign damage limits, how to make repairs when allowed,
and before inspecting this cylinder must possess a copy of the exemption.
Copies of E12479 may be obtained directly from DOT at:
http://hazmat.dot.gov/sp_app/special_permits/docs/12000/E12479.pdf
Untrained inspectors who inspect and apply evidence
of inspection stickers to any cylinder are in a highly un-defendable
position. Even with years of experience inspecting cylinders
without training, in the eyes of DOT or the courts an inspector is still
unqualified. Fill station operators and cylinder inspectors who want to
be prepared for the new Luxfer scuba cylinder should ensure they are
trained and that their training is current. As new Luxfer composite
wrapped cylinder may become very popular, all dive businesses must be
prepared to inspect and service them. Fill station operators must
be knowledgeable enough about composite cylinders to ensure the cylinder
has no damage to preclude it being filled. For those attending the DEMA
Trade Show, PADI and NAUI will host a federally recognized cylinder
inspector training class conducted by PSI. For more information on
these classes and other PSI Courses throughout the world go to:
http://www.psicylinders.com/schedule/index.php. To register for the DEMA course,
sign-up online at the above line or contact PSI,
Inc. at 425.398.4300 or email PSI at
psi@psicylinders.com.