Catastrophic Tank Rupture

Yesterday, a high pressure cascade system tank ruptured at a LDS a mile from my house (Panama City Dive Center). No one was injured. I have just returned from inspecting the damage. You won't believe what I saw if I tell you, so I am off to take some pictures and post them. This was a perfect example of an extremely large amount of potential energy being converted to kinetic energy instantaneously. The tank in the sand is 40 feet from the building and was "tossed" over there by the identically sized ruptured tank. The plywood and sheet metal against the wall hides the void where the masonry block was blown into the building. I have no knowledge of the certification or inspection history of the cylinder.

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Originally Posted by OutlawCaver

Yesterday, a high pressure cascade system tank ruptured at a LDS a mile from my house. No one was injured. I have just returned from inspecting the damage. You won't believe what I saw if I tell you, so I am off to take some pictures and post them. This was a perfect example of an extremely large amount of potential energy being converted to kinetic energy instaneously.

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Vince can you share which dive shop???

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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

Vince can you share which dive shop???

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Never mind
http://www.newsherald.com/news/shop-...ach-takes.html

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PANAMA CITY BEACH — A 16-foot compressed air tank exploded Saturday afternoon, knocking holes in the roof and east wall of Panama City Dive and Ski Center on Thomas Drive.

The explosion happened shortly before 4 p.m., officials said, and no one was hurt in the incident.

The large tank is used to fill other dive tanks, said Chief David Morrison, of the Bay County Fire Department. When the tank exploded, it sent other tanks shooting out of the building. Both Morrison and Jerry McLendon, a co-owner of the business, said they did not know why the tank exploded.

"It wasn't overfilled," McLendon said. "It had the proper amount of pressure in it."

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But, had it ever been inspected? Shops rarely ever inspect, or even hydro bank tanks. If their filters failed sometime in the past, water may have gotten into the bank, and rusted it out over time.

Any pics yet

Im glad no one was hurt. I dove with them a couple of weeks ago--great shop and friendly staff on the dive boats, a rare combination. I hope they get back up and running soon.

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Originally Posted by jdsffa

Any pics yet

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See first post, pix have bee added.

Uh Vince, which tank ruptured? most of those tanks don't appear to have been part of the bank. Was it the one filled with debris? If so, did it fall into the tank *after* the rupture?

I'm just wondering how high those tanks went into the air to get the one that far away from the building! The other tanks... those were outside already? Glad no one got hurt.... but what an awesome video that would have been!

Vince were you at home? A mile away you would have easily heard the explosion... Thanks for the photo's.

The tank that is laid open with debris in it ruptured. I suspect the debris went into the air and landed into the laid open cylinder upon descent back to earth....LOL. All of the tanks in the picture were in close proximity to the ruptured tank. I was not at home. I wish I could say I was off diving but instead I was across town laying tile for a friend. Residents in my hood said they heard it blow.