N4215823QS009 Questions and Answers.docx

QUESTION 1:

The fact of the matter here is the gas tolerance is so finite, the welding utilization of gas requires this tolerance, and there is no way to maintain the tolerance past 7-days after the ratios have been achieved. Additionally, achieving the tolerance is time and labor intensive as you will see from our initial estimate below.

Recommendation: provide a guarantee quantity, and replace the cylinders no later than 7-days after receipt – given their “shelf life” (ability to maintain tolerance) For the past couple of years we haven’t had an issue with the concentration or mix remaining the same after we receive the bottles. Prior to use we check the Oxygen content with an analyzer to ensure we are within our tolerances. The 7 day receive/ return period will not meet our needs as our process once we start uses a bank of 16 bottles daisy chained together that runs anywhere from 24-72 straight hours depending on the area being welded.