[Article] New regulations for Nitrox/Oxygen cylinders

Peace

European law due to be introduced next year (2005), and enshrined in euro standards BS EN 1443 and DS EN 13949, demand that any cylinder with any amount of exygen in it above that of normal breathing air should have a new and unique type of first stage valve connection.

This includes all mixes from 22% - 100% O2. This new valve connection will be a DIN-type but with a different thread diameter (M26) from DIN vavles already in use.

You can get the rest of the article in this months issue of Diver which is available from Easons (in dublin anyway)..


IMO this is a real PITA! I've got twin 12's and a stage cylinder right now (all of which need to take Nitrox/Oxygen) and it looks like i'll need new valves for all of them. And then when you replace the calce you've got to replace the DIN screw on the first stage of the regulator. And thats times 3 regs.

I would imagine the valves are about 40/50 euro a peice and then the regs would be again at least 20/30 euro a piece....so thats what anywhere up to 240 euro. FFS!

[Discuss!]

NordicDiver

From uk.rec.scuba

I contacted Poseidon UK this week to get their position as a manufacturer
and this was their response,
"we (Poseidon) have no intentions of changing our valve threads at this
time. There are still valves out there of earlier thread types and we see no
benefit from a change."
It was also discussed that if a change were to be explored, that the change
would not be for "at least ten years".
Further discussions led to the understanding that Poseidon did not agree
with the standard and that Poseidon may "reject" the standard as it lowered
safety. "if a thread change was made, it should be at least 27 or 28mm, not
26. You can still get a 25mm regulator in a 26mm thread."
So it appears that one of the worlds leading manufacturer has no plans to
adopt this thread sizing, considering the Xstream is specifically made for
mixes up to and including pure oxygen, this is a comforting statement.
In addition, Poseidon advised that "you should not read too much into this",
apparently they see it as no more than a storm in a tea cup. Let's hope they
are right.

NordicDiver

More:

Further to this conversation.

This is a cutout direct from HSE correspondance-
There are a number of findings from the investigation of the questions HSE
has been asked. The most important question for cylinder owners and
cylinder filling stations was to establish a cylinder labelling and
colour-coding scheme specifically for cylinders worn by divers as part of
diver's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). HSE is proposing that it could
be based on two types of cylinders, one for natural air, and one for gases
other than natural air. For the latter the cylinders and valves would be
"fit for oxygen service" and have the new outlet connection for diving gases
Nitrox and oxygen.



5.A possible date for the implementation of some key major changes,
including the above, is proposed as 1 July 2005 to coincide with the change
in ADR 2003 [transport of dangerous goods legislation] for cylinder test
facilities accreditation.



6.There are still standards being issued that will affect diving cylinders
and cylinder valves. Further questions are likely to arise with the
introduction of new ISO standards aimed at allowing cylinders to be UN
marked for free passage across international borders. It is in the interest
of the diving community that free passage of diving cylinders is achieved.
This means that even questions with firm answers today may change tomorrow.
It is hoped that the worst situation that will arise is that some cylinders
will not be able to be used outside of GB.



Question B2

When will the new standards, BS EN 144-3 and BS EN 13949 become mandatory?



Answer B2

Implied to be by August 2008.



Answer yet to be established B2

The diving industry should consider using 1 July 2005 as an implementation
date for all new cylinder and cylinder valve changes including changing
completely to BS EN 144-3 and BS EN 13949. However this should be subject
to the possible introduction of ISO standards which, should be clarified
before finalising this date to avoid another change in the near future.





So there yo have it, my thoughts are that there are two Euro Norm Standards
which are available relating to this topic.
BSEN 13949:2003 Respiratory equipment - Open-circuit self-contained diving
apparatus for use with compressed Nitrox and oxygen - Requirements, testing,
marking.
BSEN 144-3:2003 Respiratory protective devices - Gas cylinder valves - Part
3: Outlet connections for diving gases Nitrox and oxygen.
What I want you all to remember is, that Standards are NOT law, they give
presumtion of compliance with the law. Not that makes much difference mind
you.

Anyway, to the point. In EN13949 it states;

4.4 Pressure vessel valve(s)
Pressure vessel valve(s) shall comply with appropriate national or European
Regulations and shall be approved
and tested for use at the rated working pressure and pure oxygen.
The threads for connecting the pressure vessel(s) and the valve(s) shall be
M 18 x 1,5 or M 25 x 2 as specified in EN 144-1.
Safe connection between the pressure vessel valve(s) and the demand
regulator shall be ensured by using the connections as defined in EN 144-3.

P.S. BSEN 144-3:2003 depicts a female 26mm thread on the tank.

Where is my ass, where is my elbow? ass? elbow? ass? elbow?
BTW I work for a Notified Body and I think it sucks.

Peace

HSE is proposing that it could
be based on two types of cylinders, one for natural air, and one for gases
other than natural air

So i assume this would include trimix cylinders as well.