General Forums >> Ask a Firefighter >> Scuba Tanks & Fire
Scuba Tanks & Fire
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Posted 3 days ago At what point does my Scuba Tank become trash, or have to be discarded; when involved in a fire. Is it the closeness to the fire or the degrees of the fire. |
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| Posted 3 days ago Forgot to tell you, its straight 0 2 not nitrox or tri-mix. The tanks are 72 steel |
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| Posted 3 days ago I hope that you're using an SCBA cylinder and not a SCUBA tank to fight fire... lol. It's just general wear, you should be sending your cylinders out at least once every year for Hydro testing to make sure the cylinder is still in ship shape. If you are concerned about the integrity of a cylinder you should send it out to get checked. |
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| Posted 2 days ago Let me see. I use scuba for diving. Both of my tanks get hydroed every 5 years, & Visually Inspected every year. If they pass I keep them, if they don't I discard. I was just wondering what heat & fire could do to them. Through the winter, they are stored @ my local dive shop, however, they now have a place in my basement. Lots of times they're in my trunk....God forbid someone rear ends me.... Will not be a pretty sight. LOL |
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| Posted 2 days ago Generally speaking, SCUBA tanks need to be testeed once a year, or when you suspect something might be wrong with them.
As far as I remember, if they're not tested every year, and you die or get injured from a defect, the company that made the product doesnt have to pay for any damages to you.
It would be in your best interest, if you suspect something, to have them tested immediatly.
According to TDI's visual tank inspection course. A tank should be stored either full or with less than 300psi. the reason is that if in a fire a full tank's burst disc will rupture before the tank heats up enough to fail catastrophicly.
Also, keeping it upright, filled to 300-500 PSI, and off the basement floor would be something to consider as well. |
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| Posted 2 days ago SCBA tanks only have to be Hydro Statically Tested once every 5 years on a composite tank. The tank has a mandatory destroy order after the third Hydro Test has been completed or 15 years. Steel tanks however may be used continuously but must be tested every year. This is one of the reasons many departments have switched to Composite tanks that and the weight! I would have to be concerned greatly if a SCUBA tank came into contact with fire. Since this device does not need to meet NFPA guidelines. I would highly recommend checking with the manufacturer if it was involved with a fire. But, I personally would have it destroyed. Why would you want to risk an explosion under water and be without air? Unless of course you have gills. :) |
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| Posted 2 days ago After the explosion he might have something resembling gills lol |
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| Posted 2 days ago I do get my tanks hydroed every 5 yrs. & vip every yr. as required by law. I also always have them filled to 2,250 psi. Not ever take it on a plane with me (because they have to be empty) I won't risk that. Temperatures hotter than 180 degrees on an aluminum cylinder can reduce its strength & cause it to explode especcially when filled fast. I did switch to aluminum then came back to the steel, just for comfort & fit, because I am rather tiny. I will say this I do have a burst disk therefore if it is subjected to heat either from a fast over-fill or a fire to a hazzardous level; intern will cause my disk to burst & make a loud noise & vent my tank to prevent an explosion. So if my disk bursts then I will have it professionally serviced. Face it guys....180 degrees is not alot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^..^ ^..^ :))) |
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| Posted 2 days ago Same with others SCUBA tank's VIP every year and Hydro 5 years. Throw them out when they don't pass anymore. Since I am on the dive team as well I usally carry tanks in my SUV. I place the butt of the tank at the back of my vehicle lying down and secured. This way if I am rear ended or any accident and the neck breaks, the tank goes out the back towards the other car. I know sounds mean but hey my safety comes 1st. |
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| Posted 2 days ago Heh, Thanks....it does sound mean, however "safety First" From now on, I will transport my tanks valves backwards. Just to let you also know, They are always 100% secured, @ any given time. Once again THANKS for the hint from one diver to another. Plan Your Dive, & Always Dive Your Plan........... |