Chris@Aquatron
04-06-09, 18:07
RE: Cylinder Filling Issues
Hi again CA members,
Just wanted to drop everyone a line to clarify some issues that have arisen recently regarding customer’s cylinders.
The long and short of it is that anybody or any organisation that test cylinders without the proper accreditation put us, and every other responsible filling station, in a very difficult position.
Have a look at the Scuba Industries Trade Association website: http://www.sita.org.uk/IDEST/idest.html. This explains the situation fully and also you will also see a comprehensive list of all the IDEST approved test centres.
Being competent to carry out work doesn’t necessarily mean that you can legally do so. It’s like having a mate that’s a very good mechanic give you an MOT certificate for your car. He may have done the work right but the cert isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on as he is not a registered/ approved test station. This is Aquatron’s situation. We had a 35 year history of testing cylinders without incident but on 1st July 2006 became legally “not competent”. Incidentally this is something we fully intend to address when the upgrading work to our workshop is completed. Currently we have our cylinders sent out to an accredited test station.
There are several customers that have been caught out but we are the ones, rather strangely, that are having complaints. Wouldn’t it make more sense that the test house that charged you for a test that is not legitimate be the ones to receive the complaint ?
I would love nothing more than to always be able to fill cylinders, but have been placed in this position out with our control. In some instances we have filled certain cylinders that were incorrectly marked but have not been picked up by the staff, and for this I apologise. However, once we notice an issue with a test stamp we cannot knowingly fill that cylinder.
Just to clarify further, this is not Aquatron policy but simple compliance with the law. It is also nothing personal and I am sorry for any embarrassment in the shop. As I previous said, I am very frustrated at the position we have been placed and sympathise completely with a customer’s situation. However, as long as other centres continue in this manner we have no choice in our action.
I hope this has helped answer some questions and if there is anything else I can help with then please let me know.
Kind Regards
Chris McKendry
Managing Director
Hi again CA members,
Just wanted to drop everyone a line to clarify some issues that have arisen recently regarding customer’s cylinders.
The long and short of it is that anybody or any organisation that test cylinders without the proper accreditation put us, and every other responsible filling station, in a very difficult position.
Have a look at the Scuba Industries Trade Association website: http://www.sita.org.uk/IDEST/idest.html. This explains the situation fully and also you will also see a comprehensive list of all the IDEST approved test centres.
Being competent to carry out work doesn’t necessarily mean that you can legally do so. It’s like having a mate that’s a very good mechanic give you an MOT certificate for your car. He may have done the work right but the cert isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on as he is not a registered/ approved test station. This is Aquatron’s situation. We had a 35 year history of testing cylinders without incident but on 1st July 2006 became legally “not competent”. Incidentally this is something we fully intend to address when the upgrading work to our workshop is completed. Currently we have our cylinders sent out to an accredited test station.
There are several customers that have been caught out but we are the ones, rather strangely, that are having complaints. Wouldn’t it make more sense that the test house that charged you for a test that is not legitimate be the ones to receive the complaint ?
I would love nothing more than to always be able to fill cylinders, but have been placed in this position out with our control. In some instances we have filled certain cylinders that were incorrectly marked but have not been picked up by the staff, and for this I apologise. However, once we notice an issue with a test stamp we cannot knowingly fill that cylinder.
Just to clarify further, this is not Aquatron policy but simple compliance with the law. It is also nothing personal and I am sorry for any embarrassment in the shop. As I previous said, I am very frustrated at the position we have been placed and sympathise completely with a customer’s situation. However, as long as other centres continue in this manner we have no choice in our action.
I hope this has helped answer some questions and if there is anything else I can help with then please let me know.
Kind Regards
Chris McKendry
Managing Director