Regulations for maintenance of regulators

REGULATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE OF REGULATORS

       In view of the complete disagreement and contradiction regarding the requirements for servicing regulators, this document is presented, intended for users of open-circuit breathing devices and created on the basis of the latest requirements and recommendations.

        Timely service by a certified technician is the key to the longevity and functionality of your regulator, as well as the result of following the main rule of a diver — the number of dives equals the number of surfacings and your comfortable stay underwater.

        The term "regulator" should be understood as a set consisting of at least the first and second stages, medium pressure connecting hoses that ensure life and health under water, and therefore it should be treated with due respect, not forgetting about the culture of service.

You cannot be sure that the regulator is in good working order just because it has hardly been used since the last service. Remember that long-term or improper storage can lead to internal corrosion, aging and damage to the sealing rings. In addition, materials in water (polluted, salty, especially chlorinated) form electrical vapors that lead to diffusion, "sticking" to each other, especially threaded connections.

Chlorinated pool water is a particularly destructive environment for your regulator due to the high levels of chlorine and other substances, as well as the low pH level, which attack certain components of the regulator. In addition, careless handling of equipment, use of tanks with questionable contents, and failure to perform post-dive maintenance further increase the possibility of equipment failure.

Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty on regulators, but this is subject to maintenance, which is carried out as needed, but at least once a year.

The term “technical maintenance” (hereinafter referred to as TM) refers to the following forms:

- official inspection

- full technical service (full maintenance)

- repair

Attention:

 Regardless of the number of dives performed during the year, the regulator must be submitted for official inspection at least once a year and undergo a full maintenance at least once every two years.

If the regulator is used with increased intensity (rental, training) in an aggressive environment (including chlorinated water), the frequency of maintenance should be reduced to 3-6 months.

The performance of one of the maintenance forms depends on the duration, intensity, operating conditions, as well as other factors affecting the correct operation of the regulator.

The decision on the form and procedure for carrying out maintenance, as well as all actions for their implementation, is made by a certified technical specialist who has undergone training in an authorized program for technical maintenance of regulators.

Do not attempt to perform any disassembly or maintenance of your regulator. Self-disassembly and maintenance of the regulator may lead to malfunctions. It is mandatory to provide a complete regulator kit for servicing, including an additional second stage. Partial servicing of the regulator is prohibited!

Forms of technical maintenance (TM).

Official inspection - performed at least once a year.

1. Test your regulator assembly by immersing it in pressurized water to check for leaks.

2. Checking the correctness of the assembly and the implementation of the specified tightening torques.

3. Mandatory check of the first stage — check of the average (set) pressure and its location within the permissible range of values.

4. Mandatory check of the second stage:

a) checking the valve opening force (position of the adjusting screw) and its location within the permissible range of values)

b) visual inspection and checking of the lever height position

c) checking the smooth operation of external control handles (Ventura injection, adjustment of inhalation effort)

5. Additional verification

a) general visual inspection for external technical damage

b) visual inspection of filters for dirt and color change

c) visual inspection of the diaphragm, exhalation valve(s), mouthpiece for integrity and absence of damage

          6. Checking the general condition of the hoses, including the fastenings under the protectors.

          If the regulator has not passed the test according to points 1,2,3 or 4, it is necessary to perform a full maintenance of the regulator.

          If the regulator has not passed the test according to paragraph 5, the technical specialist decides on the need to carry out one or another form of maintenance of the regulator independently.

          If the regulator fails the test in step 6, the hose(s) must be replaced.

            Full maintenance (full TO) is performed at least once every two years.

           The term "complete maintenance" shall mean all actions and procedures specified in the authorized maintenance instructions for regulators without exception:

a) complete disassembly

b) cleaning of all elements of the first and second stages

c) replacement of all seals and other parts and elements in full compliance with the authorized service manual

d) assembly

d) setting

e) final check

          Repair

         The term “repair” should be understood as the mandatory implementation of a complete maintenance and other actions related to the restoration of the regulator’s functionality.

          To ensure that the service life of the regulator is guaranteed, all actions must be recorded in the maintenance log (coupling) attached to the regulator operating manual.

           Do not try to save on regulator maintenance — a failure at the most inopportune moment can take away the most precious thing — your life or someone else's.