Issue Date:  -  Monday, 27 March 2006

Exploding scuba tanks

An exploding scuba tank has prompted a warning to consumers about scuba tanks made of aluminum that are fifteen to thirty years old.

"Scuba tanks many years ago used to be made of a material called aluminum alloy 6351, and this material is susceptible to sustained load cracking, or SLC, when it becomes aged and is stored containing compressed air," Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"A tank which was being kept in a garden shed exploded, splitting the tank entirely in half and damaging the walls of the shed.

"Fortunately no one was injured in this incident, but it has highlighted the need for these old tanks to either be professionally tested and rated by a qualified person, or disposed of.

"Hairline factures occur over time and would not necessarily be apparent during use or filling, so the risk is especially high if someone has not used their tank for a long period of time and then decides to go for a dive," he said.

All scuba tanks must comply with Australian Standard AS 2337-1. Filling stations, dive shops and other industry stakeholders have been made aware of the dangers of alloy 6351 tanks.

As home compressors have recently become more affordable, consumers may be filling their own alloy 6351 tanks, not realising the danger of them rupturing and perhaps causing serious injury or death.

Consumer Protection has been advised of at least twelve tanks rupturing in recent years, of these occasions five have caused injuries.

Alloy 6351 tanks have historically been manufactured by a number of cylinder manufacturers.  SLC is not a manufacturing fault, but a metallurgical phenomenon that occurs in later years after manufacture of the product.

Anyone who owns alloy 6351 tanks manufactured prior to 1990, should contact Consumer Protection's Product Safety Unit for further advice and assistance by telephoning 9282 4320 or by emailing consumer@docep.wa.gov.au.