Was your Vip Done correctly..

[pasley]

padiscubapro once bubbled...
According to an addendum posted to the 2002 DOt regualtions it seems that many LDS are not doing VIPs correctly..

That means all Catalina's should be eddy tested, for luxfers all older Al alloys must be tested..

Since Catalina is the ONLY company that never used the problem alloy, why must it be eddy current tested? I am aware that any AL tank made befofe 1990 in USA EXCEPT Catalina are to be subspected of having been made of the problem AL alloy and must be eddiy tested.

This site has more informaitoin on why the alloy tanks must be tested. http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/hm200_f.htm

padiscubapro once bubbled...
yeah, but as long as you fill it yourself (personal compressor), for personal non commercial use and you have no plans on crossing any state lines its not covered by DOT and you can continue filling it...[/B]

Actually, that is not my understanding of it. DOT has issued on 30 May 2003, clarification about this subject. Bottom line is even if it is used (or goes on the highways) INTRA State it is subject to DOT http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/hm200_f.htm

 

[padiscubapro]

CobaltWave once bubbled...
The tank is new hydro was this year. Since I bought this tank for use with Nitrox went went the extra mile.

He said the Viz plus wasn't actually necessary at this time, but not a bad idea. He also mentioned that some shops won't fill a tank that didn't have a Viz plus sticker on it.

you never answered.. did he check the tank for dents and bulges and did he pull off the nitrox tank wrap to perform the vip..

 

[CobaltWave]

He did remove all stickers and the tank boot. Cleaned the exterior of the tank. He didn't use a straight edge to examine the exterior of the tank, but he ran his hands over the tank which I assumed was an external inspection, since he did note a few scratches and a paint chip.

 

[padiscubapro]

pasley once bubbled...


Since Catalina is the ONLY company that never used the problem alloy, why must it be eddy current tested? I am aware that any AL tank made befofe 1990 in USA EXCEPT Catalina are to be subspected of having been made of the problem AL alloy and must be eddiy tested.

This site has more informaitoin on why the alloy tanks must be tested. http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/hm200_f.htm


Actually, that is not my understanding of it. DOT has issued on 30 May 2003, clarification about this subject. Bottom line is even if it is used (or goes on the highways) INTRA State it is subject to DOT http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/hm200_f.htm

According to DOT regulations, you must follow specified DOT procedures AND manufacturer's recommendations..

this is from their site.. sounds like a recommendation to me

"Catalina Cylinders supports the use of eddy current devices to aid in the inspection of the threads of aluminum cylinders. Catalina Cylinders believes that eddy current devices should be used in conjunction with visual inspection, not as a replacement for visual inspection, in the inspection of the threads of aluminum cylinders."

The old CFRs had all kinds of loopholes and one thing countered another.. If they clafified/closed this loophole thats a good thing.. The rule also applied to the use of non dot rated cylinders.. I'll have to read the updated regs and see what else has changed.. they have been adding alot without realyy spreading the word.

 

[padiscubapro]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...


Since the DOT doesn't require an anual VIP why do they have a spec on it? Given that it doesn't have to be done at all, how can they say it's being done incorrectly? Sounds fishy to me.

Mike,
They have been doing all kinds of additions and clarifications to the regulations..

The cfrs for pressure vessels is over 1000 pages!

they have limits on goughe depts, pit depts, how many consecutive threads from top of cylinder down that must be perfect depending on pressure..

they no go as far as telling you have to insure any cylinder you "condem" must not be passed by another inspector.. the approved methods are "x" out some DOT infor or destroying the threads..