Hazmat Training for Cylinder
Safety
Main Topics
• Federal Regulations
• General awareness/familiarization with
cylinders and valves
• Proper handling/Preventive procedures
• Safety issues and training
• Reporting observed concerns
Objectives
• Describe the category of persons who must receive function specific
Hazmat training.
• Describe your status with regard to Hazmat Training.
• Name identify the agencies that regulate the transport and handling
of high-pressure cylinders.
• Compare and contrast aluminum versus steel cylinders, including
typical fill pressures, capacities and buoyancy characteristics.
• State the frequency, importance and required pressure for a
hydrostatic pressure test.
• Explain the frequency and importance of the visual inspection.
• Discuss types of valves commonly used in scuba.
• Discuss safe handling concerns and procedures for scuba cylinders,
including the minimum storage pressure.
• Identify common cylinder codes.
• Pass the written exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Federal Regulations
• Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 172.00
• Enforced by Department of Transportation
• Mandates
– That all persons who “handle, transport or are likely
to be affected” by the hazards of high pressure
cylinders
– Must receive “function specific” training to the
HAZMAT within 90 days of employment and
retraining every 3 years thereafter.
Federal Regulations
• The US Department of Transportation (DOT)
regulates the transport and handling of highpressure cylinders.
– Steel
– Aluminum
900 psig
1800 psig
Federal Regulations
• Title 29 CFR 1910.101(a)
– Requires the employer to take ultimate responsibility
for the safe condition of compressed gas cylinders
under his control
• The U.S. government regulates matters
affecting the safety and health of employees
(only) in all industries, including compressed
gas, through the Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Your Status
• If you are not an employee
– CFR Title 49 172.00 does not apply
– This training is informational only
• This training does not satisfy CFR Title 49
172.00
• Much of this information is taken from
materials developed by PSI Inc.
– You are not certified by PSI Inc.
Scuba Cylinders
• Materials
– Aluminum (3AL or other)
– Steel (3AA)
• Capacity
– 9 cu. ft. –120 cu. ft.
– 50 Liters – 3482 Liters
• Common Pressures
– Aluminum (3AL)
• 3000 psi-3500 psi (207 bar -165 bar)
– Steel (3AA)
• 2250 psi – 2400 psi (155 bar – 165 bar)
• Steel cylinders with “+” sign may be overfilled by 10%
Steel vs. Aluminum
•
•
•
•
•
• Lighter (Wear more
weight)
• Positive when empty
• Flat bottom
Heavier (Wear less
• Cheaper
weight)
Neutral when empty• Resists corrosion
• Susceptible to
Round bottom
damage from heat
More Expensive
Corrodes quicker
Cylinder Codes
• Regulating agency
– DOT (Department of Transportation)
• (ICC – old name for DOT)
– CTC (Canadian Transportation Commission)
• Metal Alloy –
–
–
–
–
–
molybdenum steel - 3A, 3AA
aluminum alloy - 3AL (present day)
SP6498 (to 1972)
E6498 (to 1982)
E9791
Cylinder Codes
• Serial number
– unique to each tank
• Working pressure/capacity
– 2250 psi, 2400 psi, 3000 psi,3500 psi
• Mfr. Stamp
• Inspector stamp;
– hydro date(s) - month, year
K-valve
Cylinder Valve Assemblies
and Manifolds
• K valve and J valve
– Burst disk, valve dip tube, o-ring, handle
assembly
•
•
•
•
J-valve
DIN valve Slingshot or “Y” valve
H manifolds
These are types of pillar/post valves
DIN-valve
Cylinder Valve Use & Care
• Never use excessive force to open or
close
• Open slowly
• Open valve fully, then close valve onequarter turn, but no more.
– This provides a clue to help determine if
the tank is open and also the correct way
to turn valve when closing.
• Always carry tank valve opening facing
away from palm***
• Ideally pillar/post valves should not be
carried by the valve
Cylinder Care and Maintenance
• Handle with care.
• Best to transport vertical.
– When transporting horizontal block in place and orient
sideways.
• Always carry valve out
• Fill slowly (300 – 500 psi/min)
• Keeping water out.
– Blow off valves before filling.
• Rinse after use
• Storage
– Pressurized (min. of 100 psi)
– Vertical is best
• Must be secured
Cylinder Care and Maintenance
Visual inspection
• Required annually or if the cylinder is drained
• Inspect interior and exterior for
– Corrosion
• Interior cleaned by tumbling process
– Pitting
– Cracks
• An Evidence of Inspection Sticker (E.O.I.)
applied to a cylinder within the last year is not,
by itself, sufficient evidence to authorize filling.
Cylinder Care and Maintenance
Hydrostatic Test
• Required every 5 years
– Or if damage suspected
– Or if exposed to high heat
• Hydrostatic Pressure
– 5/3 of working pressure
• Purpose
– Measure permanent expansion of cylinder
– Test of structural integrity of the cylinder
Damaged or Emptied Cylinders
• REPORT ANY DAMAGE OR CYLINDER
THAT HAS BEEN EMPTIED TO D.S.O.
Cylinder Care and Maintenance
SAFETY CONCERNS
• Always carry valve opening away from skin.
– Air embolism can occur through contact with skin.
• Dropped cylinders may injure feet or toes or shear off
valve.
• Escaping air may be loud and can cause particles to
become airborne.
– Use eye and ear protection.
• Never place a pressurized cylinder in an environment >
130º F (car trunk on a hot day).
• Any cylinder exposed to fire should be removed from
service
• Cylinders are heavy - use proper lifting techniques to
prevent injury.
The kinetic energy stored within a full 80 ft3 tank exceeds
one million foot pounds, sufficient energy to disintegrate
concrete block walls, propel fill station operators trough
walls, destroy fire trucks, and jet cylinders great distances.
AT LEAST ONE CYLINDER EXPLODES ANNUALLY!!
Disguised damage
• Boots often hide corrosion including self
draining boots
• Stickers or paint may placed over damage
• Auto repair putty used to cover defects
• Vinyl coated cylinders should not be used or
filled under any circumstances
• REPORT ANY SUSPECT CYLINDERS
IMMEDIATELY TO DIVE SAFETY OFFICER
General Cylinder Handling
• Never move any cylinder by rolling it along
the ground
• Never leave any unattended tank standing up
• Cylinders may only be filled if they are within
the current hydrostatic and visual inspection
period
– Fill Station Operator (FSO) must be satisfied as
to the condition of the cylinder
General Cylinder Handling
• Any unfamiliar stamp should be
checked to see if it is a cylinder that
should be rejected (e.g. SP 6576
identifies a bevel bottom aluminum tank
that should be rejected.)
• Condemned cylinders with obliterated
codes may never be returned to service
Main Topics
• Federal Regulations
• General awareness/familiarization with
cylinders and valves
• Proper handling/Preventive procedures
• Safety issues and training
• Reporting observed concerns
Objectives
• Describe the category of persons who must
receive function specific Hazmat training.
• Name identify the agency that regulates the
•
•
•
•
transport and handling of high-pressure cylinders.
Compare and contrast aluminum versus steel
cylinders.
Discuss types of valves commonly used in scuba.
Discuss safe handling concerns and procedures for
scuba cylinders.
Pass the written exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Questions?????
• Please don’t write on test
• Fill out answer sheet only
• Make sure to fill out the “Hazmat
Training Record”