| Author |
Safe to leave regulator attached to O2 tank?
|
|
| Neil Caton 2005-01-03, 2:09 am |
| Working with the Ski Patrol and other SAR groups we transport O2 to
the scene by ski or foot. Often the O2 is stored in a vehicle or
building. Is it safe to leave the regulator attached to the tank when
transporting in a vehicle, or by pack? My concern is that in the case
of an impact, the regulator being attached mighjt contribute to the
failure of the O2 tank. Is this rational, or being over-concerned.
Thanks!
| |
| HorneTD 2005-01-03, 11:08 am |
| Neil Caton wrote:
> Working with the Ski Patrol and other SAR groups we transport O2 to
> the scene by ski or foot. Often the O2 is stored in a vehicle or
> building. Is it safe to leave the regulator attached to the tank when
> transporting in a vehicle, or by pack? My concern is that in the case
> of an impact, the regulator being attached mighjt contribute to the
> failure of the O2 tank. Is this rational, or being over-concerned.
> Thanks!
I think it is a legitimate concern. I had an O2 tank fall over and
fracture the regulator on a call. The noise of the entire contents of
the tank venting to atmosphere was quite startling. There are guards
available that are quite light weight. Using one of those will protect
the regulator and tank valve and attached regulator from impacts.
--
Tom H
| |
| maximusnt@hotmail.com 2005-01-03, 7:12 pm |
| Thanks for the reply, just to clarify the O2 tanks are stored in padded
bags (traverse rescue pack or galls O2 bag). Is that enough protection
to avoid regulator damage. I'm more concerned about a catastrophic
failure of the tank or neck of the tank.
| |
| HorneTD 2005-01-04, 2:08 am |
| maximusnt@hotmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for the reply, just to clarify the O2 tanks are stored in padded
> bags (traverse rescue pack or galls O2 bag). Is that enough protection
> to avoid regulator damage. I'm more concerned about a catastrophic
> failure of the tank or neck of the tank.
>
That is the very type of failure that the guard is supposed to prevent.
--
Tom H
| |
| BUFF5200 2005-01-05, 2:08 am |
| May I presume that we are talking about the small (D or E size)
tanks that use "yoke" style regulator connection?
Not the hugh "H" tanks that stand 5' tall, and have safety
caps over the valve assembly?
Small D and E tanks can safely be transported with a yoke
style regulator attached. If you smash the regulator against
something solid, the regulator breaks into very expensive
metal scrap.
Larger tanks that require safety caps (they have threads on the
neck of the tank below the valve assembly) MUST be transported
with the safety cap in place. No regulator connected. Safety caps
are never (supposed to be) removed until after the tank is secured
in place with straps/chains.
HorneTD wrote:
> Neil Caton wrote:
>
>
>
> I think it is a legitimate concern. I had an O2 tank fall over and
> fracture the regulator on a call. The noise of the entire contents of
> the tank venting to atmosphere was quite startling. There are guards
> available that are quite light weight. Using one of those will protect
> the regulator and tank valve and attached regulator from impacts.
> --
> Tom H
| |
| HorneTD 2005-01-05, 11:08 am |
| BUFF5200 wrote:
> HorneTD wrote:
>
> May I presume that we are talking about the small (D or E size)
> tanks that use "yoke" style regulator connection?
>
> Not the huge "H" tanks that stand 5' tall, and have safety
> caps over the valve assembly?
>
> Small D and E tanks can safely be transported with a yoke
> style regulator attached. If you smash the regulator against
> something solid, the regulator breaks into very expensive
> metal scrap.
>
> Larger tanks that require safety caps (they have threads on the
> neck of the tank below the valve assembly) MUST be transported
> with the safety cap in place. No regulator connected. Safety caps
> are never (supposed to be) removed until after the tank is secured
> in place with straps/chains.
>
Since I have seen guards installed on some of the D&E sized tanks and
they seem like a good idea given my experience I suggested using one. I
don't believe that anyone meant to imply that their use was required.
--
Tom H
| |
| maximusnt@hotmail.com 2005-01-06, 7:14 pm |
| Thanks for the reply, just to clarify the O2 tanks are stored in padded
bags (traverse rescue pack or galls O2 bag). Is that enough protection
to avoid regulator damage. I'm more concerned about a catastrophic
failure of the tank or neck of the tank.
| |
| HorneTD 2005-01-06, 7:14 pm |
| maximusnt@hotmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for the reply, just to clarify the O2 tanks are stored in padded
> bags (traverse rescue pack or galls O2 bag). Is that enough protection
> to avoid regulator damage. I'm more concerned about a catastrophic
> failure of the tank or neck of the tank.
>
That is the very type of failure that the guard is supposed to prevent.
--
Tom H
| |
| HorneTD 2005-01-09, 4:07 am |
| Neil Caton wrote:
> Working with the Ski Patrol and other SAR groups we transport O2 to
> the scene by ski or foot. Often the O2 is stored in a vehicle or
> building. Is it safe to leave the regulator attached to the tank when
> transporting in a vehicle, or by pack? My concern is that in the case
> of an impact, the regulator being attached mighjt contribute to the
> failure of the O2 tank. Is this rational, or being over-concerned.
> Thanks!
I think it is a legitimate concern. I had an O2 tank fall over and
fracture the regulator on a call. The noise of the entire contents of
the tank venting to atmosphere was quite startling. There are guards
available that are quite light weight. Using one of those will protect
the regulator and tank valve and attached regulator from impacts.
--
Tom H
| |
| BUFF5200 2005-01-12, 2:09 am |
| May I presume that we are talking about the small (D or E size)
tanks that use "yoke" style regulator connection?
Not the hugh "H" tanks that stand 5' tall, and have safety
caps over the valve assembly?
Small D and E tanks can safely be transported with a yoke
style regulator attached. If you smash the regulator against
something solid, the regulator breaks into very expensive
metal scrap.
Larger tanks that require safety caps (they have threads on the
neck of the tank below the valve assembly) MUST be transported
with the safety cap in place. No regulator connected. Safety caps
are never (supposed to be) removed until after the tank is secured
in place with straps/chains.
HorneTD wrote:
> Neil Caton wrote:
>
>
>
> I think it is a legitimate concern. I had an O2 tank fall over and
> fracture the regulator on a call. The noise of the entire contents of
> the tank venting to atmosphere was quite startling. There are guards
> available that are quite light weight. Using one of those will protect
> the regulator and tank valve and attached regulator from impacts.
> --
> Tom H
|
|
|
|