Explosive Hazard Associated with Selected Self-Contained
Breathing Devices
On August 15, 1985, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
issued a notice in the Federal Register requiring the removal from
service by October 1, 1985, of certain cylinders used in
self-contained breathing devices that had not been retrofitted with
a
protective steel neck ring. These cylinders may rupture without
warning to produce life-threatening explosions. Since mid-1983,
several have exploded while in storage or during recharge
operations.
The neck of one exploding cylinder went through the roof of the
building in which the cylinder was being recharged and was found
six
blocks away. One nonfatal injury has been reported in a worker who
was 15-20 feet from such a unit that exploded while being
recharged;
he was hit by the hose assembly. The hoop-wrapped cylinders in
question are high-pressure aluminum air cylinders, manufactured by
Luxfer, USA, Ltd., that have not as yet been retrofitted with a
corrective steel neck ring. They are identifiable by the markings:
DOT-E 7235-4500.
Luxfer, USA, Ltd. has initiated a nationwide recall and
retrofit
program, including a system for retrofitting or replacing the
hazardous cylinders. On August 28, 1985, the National Institute
for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a Respirator Users
Notice announcing that NIOSH/Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA)-certified, self-contained breathing devices using such
cylinders that were not retrofitted, were decertified effective
October 1, 1985. These notices were disseminated via the Federal
Register, the U.S. Fire Administration mailing list, lists of
affected
manufacturers, user organizations (i.e., unions and trade
associations), known customers, and diving shops where such
cylinders
are often recharged.
As of November 27, 1985, 17,000 (24%) of the 72,000 affected
cylinders in use in the United States had not yet been retrofitted;
9,000 of the 17,000 have not been located, and 8,000 have been
located
but not submitted to Luxfer, USA, Ltd. for retrofit or replacement.
Each is a potential hazard that could explode at any time.
Reported by Div of Safety Research, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: To reduce weight and extend the duration of use of
self-contained breathing devices, lightweight, fiberglass-wrapped
aluminum cylinders that can be charged to 4,500 pounds per square
inch
were first made available in the late 1970s. In the past 2 years,
problems with the high-pressure aluminum cylinders produced by
Luxfer,
USA, Ltd. began to emerge.
NIOSH and MSHA jointly test and certify respiratory protective
devices, including self-contained breathing devices, which are
commonly used by workers who need emergency air supplies
(firefighters, spill-response teams for hazardous materials, and
other
laboratory and industrial personnel). DOT is responsible for
certifying the cylinders used in these devices.
Anyone possessing, or knowing the location of, a DOT-E
7235-4500
hoop-wrapped aluminum cylinder that has not been retrofitted with a
steel neck ring should immediately: (1) remove the cylinder from
service and slowly depressurize it, and (2) contact Luxfer, USA,
Ltd.,
P.O. Box 5300-92517, 1995 Third Street, Riverside, California
92507;
telephone (714) 684-5110. Breathing devices manufactured by other
companies are not affected by this recall.
Disclaimer
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