Cylinder Valve Casting Defect
Incident Date
2003-04-08
Incident Description
On pressurizing a demand valve a small leak of champagne bubbles was observed. Closer inspection revealed the bubbles were coming through the body of the cylinder valve casting opposite to where the first stage screwed in. Filing away the chrome covering to the underlying brass of the casting did not reveal a visible casting defect. The defect was presumed to be microscopic. The valve was the original parallel thread valve fitted to a 12L Faber steel cylinder purchased new in 1989. The defect manifested itself after 13 years of use. The valve was replaced.
Lessons Learned
Solid pieces of metal can show fail. Inspect all equipment regularly.
| Factors |
|
| Line Management |
Negligible |
| Gas Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Failure |
Major |
| Training |
Negligible |
| Medical |
Negligible |
| Planning |
Negligible |
| Procedural Error |
Negligible |
| Cave Environment |
Negligible |
| Weather |
Negligible |
| Other Factor |
|
