Safety Flash
Pillar valve failure
Pillar valve failure
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 12/09
- Contractor ManagementDivingPressure Systems
- Mechanical failurePressure systems
- Diving operationsPressure testing
- Gas cylinderValve
- Contractor management
Summary
A diver was injured when an emergency cylinder’s pillar valve separated under pressure and struck his helmet. Investigation identified incompatible imperial and metric threads, with valve mix-up after third-party hydrostatic testing considered the most likely cause. Actions addressed testing-agency processes, cylinder withdrawal, thread compatibility and hired-equipment acceptance.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Contractor management; contractor assurance.
Summary
A member has reported an incident in which a pillar valve from an emergency gas cylinder separated from the bottle while under pressure, rapidly releasing 50 cu ft of air to atmosphere and hitting a diver’s helmet.
IMCA SF 12/09. Themes: contractor management, diving, pressure systems.