Discover Diving is an IDEST accredited test centre for steel, aluminium and composite cylinders. Both Steve and Michelle are qualified to provide visual and hydrostatic tests. We include valve strip down, service and rebuild as part of our cylinder testing (for visual and hydro tests), so you can be sure that your cylinder is totally safe to use. Failed valves are not returned, but we will supply and fit a new valve. After testing, cylinders will be returned full of air and ready for use.
Diving cylinders (and those with a dive valve fitted even if they aren't used for diving) are currently subject to a visual inspection within 2 1/2 years, and a hydrostatic test withing 5 years of the last hydro test. Cylinders with surface only valves (used for air guns and breathing escape sets) are subject to the 5 yearly pressure test only. Cylinder tests are usually done within a week, and sometimes on the same day. We offer a free loan service to divers while their cylinder is being tested.
In 2015, Discover Diving invested a significant sum in the testing rig, thread gauges, endoscopes etc needed to provide certified cylinder testing. This allowed us for the first time to offer cylinder testing on site. Although the Isle of Man doesn't technically come under the legislation (which is for the UK), we regard that as best practise. We have a duty of care for our staff who will be filling cylinders. Therefore, any cylinder that is out of test will not be filled.
Oxygen cleaning for diving cylinders can be easily done at the same time as the visual or hydro test. The oxygen clean certification lasts for 15 months (as long as the cylinder is always refilled with clean, filtered air).
Diving cylinders (and those with a dive valve fitted even if they aren't used for diving) are currently subject to a visual inspection within 2 1/2 years, and a hydrostatic test withing 5 years of the last hydro test. Cylinders with surface only valves (used for air guns and breathing escape sets) are subject to the 5 yearly pressure test only. Cylinder tests are usually done within a week, and sometimes on the same day. We offer a free loan service to divers while their cylinder is being tested.
In 2015, Discover Diving invested a significant sum in the testing rig, thread gauges, endoscopes etc needed to provide certified cylinder testing. This allowed us for the first time to offer cylinder testing on site. Although the Isle of Man doesn't technically come under the legislation (which is for the UK), we regard that as best practise. We have a duty of care for our staff who will be filling cylinders. Therefore, any cylinder that is out of test will not be filled.
Oxygen cleaning for diving cylinders can be easily done at the same time as the visual or hydro test. The oxygen clean certification lasts for 15 months (as long as the cylinder is always refilled with clean, filtered air).
Cylinder servicing...it's not just about the cylinder, stupid!
All divers know that their dive cylinders require periodic testing, known as visuals (every 30 months) or hydros (every 5 years). To carry out either test the cylinder valve must be removed. The valve must be cleaned, checked with appropriate calibrated thread gauges, dismantled and rebuilt with the appropriate service kit before being torqued into the cylinder.
Whether you bring a cylinder to us for a hydro or visual test, we always service the valve to ensure that the it is safe to use. It isn't by choice or as a reason to charge you more, but it's so we comply with the relevant standard (Section 5.1.3 of BS EN ISO22434:2011, if you want to look it up). The valve service is included in the price of our cylinder testing, and the certificate issued with the test shows that the valve has been serviced. Testing the cylinder is fine, but if the valve threads are worn or stretched, if the internal parts are wearing out or if the correct parts aren't used, then the cylinder can still be dangerous.
We have become aware that a number of cylinders have been sent to a testing station in the UK for a hydro test. We have no problem with the cylinder test, but we do have a problem with judging whether the valve has been checked and serviced and correctly fitting. So far we are aware of dirty, damaged (unsafe) valves, a lack of calibrated equipment being used to refit valves and leaking cylinder neck O-rings. For safety reasons we will not fill any of these cylinders at Discover Diving until the valves have been serviced. We would advise that if you have your own compressor and fill your own cylinders, you do not try to pressurise them until they have been checked.
If you are affected by this issue, you need to get your valves serviced and refitted by any IDEST registered centre (www.sita.org.uk/idest). There is only one IDEST centre on the Isle of Man, and that's us. We can service and refit valves to any cylinder tested by any UKAS accredited test centre. Your cylinder will be ready within 7 days, complete with the relevant paperwork and labelling.
Visual inspection (incl valve service) £25
Hydro test (incl valve service) £35
Valve service (including parts) £15
All include the air fill in the cylinder
Peace of mind priceless
Cylinder testing....it's not just about the cylinder!
All divers know that their dive cylinders require periodic testing, known as visuals (every 30 months) or hydros (every 5 years). To carry out either test the cylinder valve must be removed. The valve must be cleaned, checked with appropriate calibrated thread gauges, dismantled and rebuilt with the appropriate service kit before being torqued into the cylinder.
Whether you bring a cylinder to us for a hydro or visual test, we always service the valve to ensure that the it is safe to use. It isn't by choice or as a reason to charge you more, but it's so we comply with the relevant standard (Section 5.1.3 of BS EN ISO22434:2011, if you want to look it up). The valve service is included in the price of our cylinder testing, and the certificate issued with the test shows that the valve has been serviced. Testing the cylinder is fine, but if the valve threads are worn or stretched, if the internal parts are wearing out or if the correct parts aren't used, then the cylinder can still be dangerous.
We have become aware that a number of cylinders have been sent to a testing station in the UK for a hydro test. We have no problem with the cylinder test, but we do have a problem with judging whether the valve has been checked and serviced and correctly fitting. So far we are aware of dirty, damaged (unsafe) valves, a lack of calibrated equipment being used to refit valves and leaking cylinder neck O-rings. For safety reasons we will not fill any of these cylinders at Discover Diving until the valves have been serviced. We would advise that if you have your own compressor and fill your own cylinders, you do not try to pressurise them until they have been checked.
If you are affected by this issue, you need to get your valves serviced and refitted by any IDEST registered centre (www.sita.org.uk/idest). There is only one IDEST centre on the Isle of Man, and that's us. We can service and refit valves to any cylinder tested by any UKAS accredited test centre. Your cylinder will be ready within 7 days, complete with the relevant paperwork and labelling.
Visual inspection (incl valve service) £25
Hydro test (incl valve service) £35
Valve service (including parts) £15
All include the air fill in the cylinder
Peace of mind priceless
Cylinder testing....it's not just about the cylinder!