Cylinder Stamping And Test Procedures

Feb 2, 2021 | Recreational Diving, Technical Diving, We Are. . .

In 2020 IDEST introduced a green quadrant label, similar in design to the original blue quadrant label. The green quadrant label is to be used for Visual Inspections (Period Inspections PIs).

IDEST Visual Label

After discussion between IDEST, ASSET and HSE it was agreed to cease stamping diving and breathing gas cylinders after they had passed a visual inspection (aka Periodic Inspection or PI). 

These new labels have been made using a ‘tamper-evident’ material, which will break up when attempts are made to remove the label from the cylinder.

The month and the year of the next due inspection will be punched out as normal, ensuring that the period between this last visual and the next inspection is the agreed amount for the regime of the cylinder. This period typically is 30 months (2½ years).

The blue quadrant lablel will continue to be used for hydro tests. The new labels are made from the same ‘tamper-evident’ material that the green labels are made from.

IDEST Hydro Label

Hydraulic testing (Periodic Inspection And Test or PIAT) of diving and breathing gas cylinders is usually every 5 years unless it comes under another standard.  On this occasion, the cylinder will have both a visual inspection and a hydraulic test.

On successful completion of these two procedures, the cylinder shoulder will be stamped with the test centre logo/year (2 digits)/month (2 digits).  An IDEST Test Centre will also affix a Blue Quadrant.  This sticker will show an ‘H’ for ‘last test’, just conducted, the punched-out month and year of the next test and show a ‘V’ to indicate that a visual inspection is the ‘next test’.

Under the current BS EN ISO 18119:2018 Standard, technicians in UK Test Centres can apply the agreed Risk Assessment Document.  This means that if the condition of the cylinder gives cause for concern, the technician can perform a visual inspection.  This may occur before the technician is prepared to fill the cylinder, otherwise amateur divers can expect visual inspections (PIs) to be conducted every 30 months.