Tank Fact and Fiction

[scubastud]

Tanks for the link!

(I couldn't help myself)

[cummings66]

Just saw the thread, Dale Fox had his materials used in our PSI course and I thought they were pretty interesting myself.

[BobbyWombat]

So did I understand this correctly:

If you are going to transport (i.e. engaged in "commerce") on a federal road system transporting a pressurized SCUBA cylinder (i.e. "HAZMAT")....you need to have HAZMAT training??

I don't seem to recall this being part of my OW course....Hmmmmm....

[fire diver]

I disagree with his interpretation of the "commerce" clause. If his interpretation were correct, all divers would be required to be placard our vehicles any time we transported scuba cylinders, anywhere. Failure to do so would result in huge fines and loss of license.

[in_cavediver]

I believe the commerce clause 'could' be applied to dive shops/instructors. If you are making money from diving, you fall under this.

Now, to be fair, you need to read the DOT guidebooks for handling HAZMAT. In many cases, the quantity of material determines what, if any additional labeling/handing is required. I am quite sure a single diver with a single 80 is below that threshold. Think of all of the med patients on O2 who transport bottles or the FD apparatus who transport SCBA bottles.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

I believe the commerce clause 'could' be applied to dive shops/instructors. If you are making money from diving, you fall under this.

Now, to be fair, you need to read the DOT guidebooks for handling HAZMAT. In many cases, the quantity of material determines what, if any additional labeling/handing is required. I am quite sure a single diver with a single 80 is below that threshold. Think of all of the med patients on O2 who transport bottles or the FD apparatus who transport SCBA bottles.

I think I recall reading a thread on TDS or SB where someone did the math, and you needed about 12 tanks to hit the commercial quantities point where technically hazmat stickers should be used. Could apply to dive shops and instructors, but not usually individuals. (there are exceptions, of course... I've come close to the limit myself a few times, not that I would have worried)

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

I think I recall reading a thread on TDS or SB where someone did the math, and you needed about 12 tanks to hit the commercial quantities point where technically hazmat stickers should be used. Could apply to dive shops and instructors, but not usually individuals. (there are exceptions, of course... I've come close to the limit myself a few times, not that I would have worried)

The law says 1000 lbs, which includes tank, valve and weight of contents... So we'll say on average, a full AL80 weighs roughly 36 lbs... That means about 28 tanks would be considered hazmat during transportation, requiring licensing, etc...

[fire diver]

It's the weight of the product, not including container.

[fisheater]

Originally Posted by mitsuguy

The law says 1000 lbs, which includes tank, valve and weight of contents... So we'll say on average, a full AL80 weighs roughly 36 lbs... That means about 28 tanks would be considered hazmat during transportation, requiring licensing, etc...

Hmm. Sounds like a personal challenge. How many tanks could I . . . .

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by mitsuguy

The law says 1000 lbs, which includes tank, valve and weight of contents... So we'll say on average, a full AL80 weighs roughly 36 lbs... That means about 28 tanks would be considered hazmat during transportation, requiring licensing, etc...

In general it 1000lbs but remember some products fall outside of this. The CGA/DOT regs are the final source on this one. I am quite confident HP compressed gases fall in the 'other defined quantity' area.

Still 1000lbs of air - that's 160+ AL80's