In the 1960s there was a disastrous oxygen fire during the Apollo moon programme in which three astronauts died on the launch pad. One of the possible causes of the fire was the way in which a particular grade of stainless steel had been configured for use.

As a result of that incident the diving industry had reservations about using low-grade stainless steel in oxygen systems, and certain restrictions have been suggested. Now information on fire hazards associated with oxygen has allowed IMCA to produce this guidance note.