MSA has received field reports of SCBA cylinder male quick connect adapters cracking, which have resulted in a rapid loss of cylinder air.  No injuries were reported.  Our investigation into these occurrences confirmed that the primary cause of the cracking was due to over torquing the adapter when installed on the cylinder valve.  This can cause excessive stress, which over time can cause the adapter to unexpectedly crack.

Quick connect adapters installed without the use of a calibrated torque wrench may have been over torqued and could have suffered undetectable and irreparable damage.  These adapters must be removed from service and replaced.  Quick connect adapters that were properly installed are safe to use.

Installation of the quick connect adapter is explained in Section 12.3 (page 71) of the Operating Manual, provided with the SCBA.  If you installed any quick connect adapters and need to replace them due to improper installation, please contact your local MSA distributor to order replacements.  The part numbers are:  10149702-SP (4500/5500 psi) and 10149701-SP (2216 psi).  If your quick connect adapters were installed for you by your MSA distributor, please contact them to confirm proper installation and for assistance.  For your reference, the installation instructions are attached.

Upon installation of replacement quick connect adapters, it is important to discard the old adapters so they are not reused.  If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact MSA Customer Service:

• U.S., Canada, or U.S. Territories – 1-866-672-0005 or email:  ProductSafetyNotices@MSAsafety.com.
• Outside the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories – 724-776-8626 or email:  LAMZonecs@MSAnet.com.

Thank you for your prompt response to this situation.  Your safety and continued satisfaction with our products is most important to us.

Best regards,

Charles J. Seibel, Jr.
Manager of Product Safety

Amended User Safety Notice:  SCBA Cylinder Quick Connect Adapter