The cylinder testing
standards were changed In March 2002 and have been applied since 1st
September 2002.
So if your cylinder was tested prior to 1st September 2002 it will fall
within previous test period of 2yrs VIP (visual inspection) and 4yrs Hydro
static, if your cylinder was tested after this date then its 5 years
Hydrostatic and 2.5yrs VIP.
The hydrostatic and Vip test dates are independent and as such the
hydrostatic test period is not affected by the date of the visual
inspection. For example, say you don't use your cylinder for a year or so
then have it visually inspected 3½ years after it's hydraulic test. The
cylinder will only then be in test for a further 18 months. This is because
you will need another hydraulic test five years after the last, regardless
of the visual inspection date.
The test or inspection date stamp punched into the cylinder will from now on
show the year followed by the month (as opposed to month then year as now).
To avoid confusion, the new test stamps use a four figure year, so a stamp
issued in February 2003 will read something like "2003 02" rather than an
old one issued in March 2002 which would read "03 02".
As well as stamping the cylinder with the test date, many dive shops have
for a long time been adding the punch-out stickers to make it easy to see
when the cylinder is next due for test. The new standard now makes this
mandatory.
The old test die stamp on your cylinder might look like:
V4
Idest 2T
02
Which shows this cylinder was visually inspected (the V) in april of 2002 by
an IDEST test station. Without a ‘V’ means it was hydrostatically tested.
The new test die stamp looks like:
2004
Idest 2T
0 5
Which shows this cylinder has been hydrostatically tested in May 2004.
Darin Edmunds, June 2004
Note from
:
I have just received some
information about the new HSE standards for cylinder marking. As at today
you only HAVE to have a new 5" wide sticker band on your cylinder
that clearly shows the contents as breathing air or Nitrox. OR The painted
quads
The stickers are now available at Dive force
(£2). The black and white quads previously
defined in the regulations are not required as well but can be used as an
alternative to the stickers. This situation may however change in the
future. As painting cylinders is a messy business and hides the test and cylider markings i would recommend using the stickers. Hope this is clear
Note from
I've tried to find something
definitive on the Web (preferably with an up-to-date-photo) to illustrate
Paul's note, but drew a blank. However, I did find this excellent article
from the Caversham
Park Aquanauts dive club.
from the