Compressed Air Fill Station Operation

By

Tom Curtis

Objectives

• Demonstrate external visual inspection

• Identify safe filling techniques

• Identify safe transportation guidelines

SCUBA cylinder rupture

Riviera beach Florida

February 1, 1998

SCBA Cylinder RuptureAllegan Fire Department

September 4, 1997

Cylinder Inspection

• Cylinder type

Composite Cylinder

• Aluminum liner that is rapped by carbon fiber or fiberglass.

• 4500 or 2216 psi.

Solid Wall Cylinder

• Low pressure • 2216 psi

Cylinder Inspection

• Cylinder type• Service pressure

Look Here for Service Pressure!

Oxygen Cylinder

• Stamped information on the dome.

• Includes: service pressure, serial number, manufacture and permit number.

Low Pressure Cylinder Gauge.

High Pressure Cylinder Gauge

Cylinder Inspection

• Cylinder type• Service pressure• Hydro test date

Stamped Hydro Test Date

• Stamped on dome of solid wall cylinders

Cylinder Inspection

• Cylinder type• Service pressure • Hydro test date• Manufacturer

SCI Cylinder

• Three year hydro

Luxfer Cylinder

• Five year hydro

They May Look the Same!

• Take the time to look for the manufacturer and hydro date.

Aluminum Cylinders

• 5 year hydro

Cylinder Inspection

• Cylinder type• Service pressure • Hydro test date• Manufacturer• Cuts and gouges

Cuts, Gouges and Scrapes.

• .005 inches.• Sent to the shop for

gel coat repair.

BreakJust 10 Min.Be Back At:

Fill Station Operation

Safety rules

• Hearing protection• Respect the “whip”• Keep area clean

SCBA Connection

• Rated at 4500 psi

SCUBA Yoke

• Most rated at 3000 psi

Low Pressure SCBA Adapter

• “Pop off” regulator is set for 2216 psi.

Low Pressure SCBA Adapter

• The adapter has the same 4500 psi rated connection as the high pressure whips.

Station 14 SCBA Fill Station

• Open donor cylinder bank first.

• Crack fill gauge to proper rate.

Oxygen Fill Station

• Regulated fill rate of 300-600 psi/min.

• Will have vacuum system installed.

300 to 600 psi Per Min

• One unit on this gauge is 100 psi

• It should take 10 to 20 seconds for each 100 psi unit

• To fill a high pressure SCBA cylinder from 0 psi it will take @ 10 min.

Filling a Cylinder

1. Cylinder inspection

2. Cylinder connection

3. Open cylinder valve

4. Open lowest donor cylinder bank first

5. Open the fill valve at 300 – 600 psi/min

Handle With Care.

• Would you use an artillery shell as a wheel chock.

• Kinetic energy stored in a full 80 cubic foot cylinder exceeds one million foot pounds.

Transportation of Cylinders

• Regulations for commercial transporters

• Practical application in the fire department would be:– Vertical

– Protected contact with other cylinders

The End