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The U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) announced Sept. 6 potential dangers with certain improperly tested self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) tanks, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tanks, and other compressed gas cylinders.
The RSPA determined that Underwater Adventures, located at 400 W. Magnolia, Leesburg, Florida, marked and certified an undetermined number of cylinders as being properly tested in accordance with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), when the cylinders were improperly tested. In addition, Underwater Adventures marked an undetermined number of cylinders with a Retester Identification Number (RIN) that belongs to another company.
A hydrostatic retest and visual inspection of a cylinder are used to verify the cylinder's structural integrity. If the hydrostatic retest and visual inspection are not performed in accordance with the HMR, a cylinder with compromised structural integrity may be returned to service when it should be condemned.
Serious personal injury, death or property damage could result from rupture of a cylinder. Cylinders that have not been retested in accordance with the HMR may not be charged or filled with compressed gas or other hazardous material.
Underwater Adventures failed to keep records of its retest and visual inspections of cylinders, making it impossible to determine the number of cylinders that the company improperly tested. These cylinders may pose a safety risk to the public.
The cylinders in question are stamped with one of the following two RINs: B095 or B059. The markings appear in the following pattern:
B 0
M Y
59
B 0
M Y
95
M is the month of retest (e.g., 10), and Y is the year of the retest (e.g., 01).
Anyone who has a cylinder that has been serviced by Underwater Adventures and that is marked with RIN numbers B095 or B059 and stamped with a retest date after 1986 should consider the cylinder unsafe and not fill it with a hazardous material unless the cylinder is first properly retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility.
Filled cylinders (if filled with an atmospheric gas such as oxygen) should be vented or otherwise safely discharged, and then taken to a DOT-authorized cylinder retest facility for proper retest to determine compliance with the HMR and their suitability for continuing service. Under no circumstance should a cylinder described in this safety advisory be filled, refilled or used for any purpose other than scrap, until it is reinspected and retested by a DOT-authorized restest facility.
The matter is being investigated by the RSPA's Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement.<
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