While this incident didn’t happen while using a CCR, a lot of users do fill their own cylinders and/or use boosters. Mod’s please move if required
Late yesterday I finally finished plumbing in my new Booster. I had finished one twinset and was starting to partial pressure fill a second. Thinking the tank was empty, I casually but quickly fully opened the tank valve on the twin set. There was in fact 1800 psi of air inside the tanks and the result was a shock wave that sent the 4000 psi pressure gauge out of range. When this hit the closed Booster exhaust check valve, it blew the 3000 psi rated fill whip hose completely out of the crimp-on fitting.
My wrist was struck by the flailing hose while I was shutting off the twinset’s manifold valve, leaving me with the bruise shown. The bang left me with ringing ears for several hours and was loud enough to bring people running out of the house to see what happened.
Fortunately the twinset contained air and not oxygen and there was no HP oxygen related fire. Obviously if there had been HP oxygen the result could have been far worse.
A couple of learnings:
• Open all valves slowly, regardless of what contents or pressure you think is in the tank
• Be wary of leaning over hoses when filling as the jet of gas or flailing hose can do considerable harm or damage.
I’m looking into over pressure relief valves and if they will be fast acting enough to prevent a reoccurrence. However, as usual preventing an incident in the first place is the best solution.
Safe Diving
Late yesterday I finally finished plumbing in my new Booster. I had finished one twinset and was starting to partial pressure fill a second. Thinking the tank was empty, I casually but quickly fully opened the tank valve on the twin set. There was in fact 1800 psi of air inside the tanks and the result was a shock wave that sent the 4000 psi pressure gauge out of range. When this hit the closed Booster exhaust check valve, it blew the 3000 psi rated fill whip hose completely out of the crimp-on fitting.
My wrist was struck by the flailing hose while I was shutting off the twinset’s manifold valve, leaving me with the bruise shown. The bang left me with ringing ears for several hours and was loud enough to bring people running out of the house to see what happened.
Fortunately the twinset contained air and not oxygen and there was no HP oxygen related fire. Obviously if there had been HP oxygen the result could have been far worse.
A couple of learnings:
• Open all valves slowly, regardless of what contents or pressure you think is in the tank
• Be wary of leaning over hoses when filling as the jet of gas or flailing hose can do considerable harm or damage.
I’m looking into over pressure relief valves and if they will be fast acting enough to prevent a reoccurrence. However, as usual preventing an incident in the first place is the best solution.
Safe Diving
