Air Cylinder testing

[Guest buster321c]

BS 5430 Parts 1 and 3, which concern the testing of compressed air cylinders, have been withdrawn and replaced by two new European standards. BS 5430 Part 1 has been replaced by BS EN 1968:2002 (steel cylinders) and Part 3 has been replaced with BS EN 1802:2002 (aluminium cylinders).

 

(Air Cylinders to the obsolete specifications HOS, HOT (steel), and HOAL 1, 2, 3 and 4, (aluminium) are still legal for use, although no longer manufactured.)

 

The current test and inspection specifications, approved by the Health and Safety Executive are BS EN 1968:2002 (steel) and BS EN 1802:2002 (Aluminium). Diving cylinders must be tested according to the aforementioned standards.

 

These specifications call for diving cylinders to be visually inspected every TWO and a HALF years and subjected to a hydraulic test every FIVE years. Any cylinders tested to the preceding standards, prior to April 2002, should be re-tested to comply with the new standards after the existing certificate has run out.

 

It should be ensured that test stations carry out their tests in accordance with BS EN 1968 or BS EN 1802 (copies obtainable from BSi) and a test certificate stating this should be obtained.

 

It is strongly recommended that only test stations approved by the Inspectorate for Diving Equipment Servicing and Testing (IDEST) be used to carry out this task. The cylinder should be stamped by the test station after every inspection / test and a label attached to indicate when the next inspection is due.

 

This change is to bring diving cylinders in line with the 10-year statutory testing for industrial gas bottles. These new standards now refer readers to BS EN 1089 for guidance on stamping, labelling and colour coding of cylinders.

 

It is likely that the first periodic test performed under these new regulations (or where an existing test certificate has expired) will be the hydraulic test where the cylinder’s expansion under pressure is measured to conform with limits appropriate to the cylinder’s capacity. Once this test has been performed, the next test in two and a half years should be a visual inspection. This may be uprated to a hydraulic test if the visual inspection reveals problems that only a hydraulic test can resolve.

 

Tested cylinders should be indelibly stamped to indicate the test performed and the date. A label showing the next test date should be affixed to the cylinder and a test certificate issued. For surface use (eg. airgunners) it is not necessary to re-paint the bottle and the non-commercial carriage of cylinders in a vehicle does not require that vehicle to bear an approved cautionary notice. Drivers should check with their motor insurance provider to establish whether the carriage of diving cylinders (compressed air) is covered in their policy.

 

In summary, the inspection and test periods are:

 

Cylinders used underwater:

2½ yearly - external and internal inspection.

5 yearly - full periodic inspection which includes external and internal inspection, hydraulic pressure test, and other tests.

 

Cylinders used with surface breathing apparatus only:

5 yearly - full periodic inspection which includes external and internal inspection,

hydraulic pressure test, and other tests.

[SEAN3513 7]

added twice see below !!!!

Edited June 29, 2009 by SEAN3513

[SEAN3513 7]

nice one buster !!!!

 

should get SS to pin this one.

 

cheers

 

sean

[Guest buster321c]

Its only here because `someone ` was tryin to sell a dive bottle , sayin that you dont need `test ` on it to have it filled . This to my mind is dangerous and also a bad show , tryin to scam each other on here ? FFS guys , come on . Sean you goin to Davy`s do ?

[SEAN3513 7]

that takes the piss ....... get your FACTS right first guys!!!!

 

if its bank holiday weekend mate...no unfortunately......otherwise obtained.......but might be able to sort somthing....watch this space.....!!!!!!

 

cheers

 

sean