A. Dale Fox

NAUI  5813L          PADI   M6456          PSI  013     

Professional Training Since 1976
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A. Dale Fox

10700 Marlborough Rd

Fairfax, VA 22032

H     703.5691.8053

W & Fax     703.591.6681

Cell  703.307.4980

 

EMAIL

  Dale Fox   adalefox@verizon.net  adalefox@psicylinders.com

PSI      psi@psicylinders.com

 
All comments and opinions contained on this site are mine alone unless specifically cited otherwise.

© All information on this page is Copyrighted

 
PSI/PCI General Information
 

This page is intended to provide some general guidance on SCUBA and SCBA Cylinders. For amplifying information on any item below or for an answer to any cylinder question you may have, contact Dale Fox at adalefox@psicylinders.com or PSI at psi@psicylinders.com.

This page is NOT a substitute for formal PSI training.

 
DO
DO place an oxidizer label on all cylinders containing an oxygen partial pressure greater than 23.5%

DO  ensure your cylinders are being inspected by a formally trained PSI inspector.

DO  Visually inspect every SCUBA cylinder at least once each year.

DO  a formal visual inspection of SCBA wrapped cylinder in heavy use (5 or more fills per week) at least yearly

DO  a formal visual inspection of SCBA wrapped cylinder in normal use (fewer that 5 fills per week and undamaged) every 18 months.

DO  visually inspect all cylinders in accordance with the PSI 18 Step Protocol.

DO  hydrostatically retest SCUBA cylinders every 5 years.

DO  hydrostatically retest of all Fiberglas and Kevlar Composite SCBA cylinders every 3 years.

DO  hydrostatically retest of all Carbon Fiber Composite SCBA cylinders every 5 years.

DO  fill cylinders slowly, at a rate of 300-600 psig per minute.

DO  fill cylinders dry.

DO  rinse cylinders in fresh water after every day of diving giving particular attention to the cylinder valve and the area under the boot.

DO  store cylinders for prolonged periods secured in a vertical position with less than 50 psig pressure inside.

DO  transport cylinders so as to best protect the valve from damage.

DO  inspect 6351 Alloy 3AL cylinders with an Eddy Current Tester.

DO  keep Evidence of Inspection (EOI) stickers in a secure location and away from unauthorized personnel.

DO  ensure documented training (e.g., PSI training) for all employees (including unpaid "dive groupies").

DO fill EANx marked cylinders with EANx or Grade E Modified Air.

DO pull all cylinders marked SP6688 or SP6576 from service.

DO use a torque wrench to replace cylinder valves and burst discs.

DO pull from service all CFFC (Carbon Fiber Full Composite) cylinders marked DOT-E 12695 

DO drain AND PURGE all oxygen cylinders prior to removing valve

 

DO NOT
DO NOT fill aluminum cylinders in oxygen service beyond 3000 psig at 70 oF

DO NOT  connect Titanium regulators to oxygen cylinders. The risk of explosion and fire is too great.

DO NOT  fill cylinders beyond their stamped service pressure.

DO NOT fill cylinders wet.

DO NOT  store Cylinders for a prolonged period with more that about 50 psig pressure.

DO NOT  charge cylinders cleaned and marked for EANx service with normal Grade E SCUBA air.

DO NOT  fill any cylinder that is beyond its visual inspection or hydrostatic test/retest period.

DO NOT  fill any cylinder that shows signs of excessive damage or mistreatment.

DO NOT  fill any cylinder with defects in excess of those established by CGA and/or PSI.

DO NOT  heat steel cylinders to temperatures in excess of 600oF

DO NOT  heat aluminum cylinders to temperatures in excess of 350oF

DO NOT heat fiber wrapped cylinders to temperatures in excess of 250oF

DO NOT  attempt to put a metrically threaded valve into an NGS threaded cylinder.

DO NOT  fill ANY cylinders marked SP6688 or SP6576.

DO NOT  fill, in the USA, any cylinder that does not contain either a DOT, ICC, UN or MC marking

DO NOT  fill any cylinder that has internal noise or is abnormally heavy.

DO NOT  permit any untrained persons to visually inspect cylinders.

DO NOT  fill any composite cylinders which are beyond their 15 year service life

DO NOT  fill any cylinders with altered, inconsistent or unreadable markings.

DO NOT use the Eddy Current testing device on steel cylinders.

DO NOT fill or transport requalified DOT/TC cylinders in the US if it has not been requalified by a USDOT approved requalifier  or in Canada if it has not been requalified by a Transport Canada authorized requalifier.