Okay here I go. I've been wanting to gather togather and share technical paintball information and personal opinions for quite awhile. Most of this information is going to be "HOW I DO IT" or "MY WAY" or IMO. If you do not like what I say or want to commment, you can go ahead and submit a comment and if I like your way or what you say, I'll post it, if not I trash it.
More to follow soon.
P.S. I'll not trash opinions that do not agree with me only those that are flaming, make no sense or not topic related.
More to follow soon.
P.S. I'll not trash opinions that do not agree with me only those that are flaming, make no sense or not topic related.
…Oh don’t worry I’ve used that same bottle for the last 10 years…..
Hydrostatic Testing Requirements […as I understand them]
Given that we utilize CO2 cylinders and High Pressure Air [HPA] bottles on a regular basis, it is wierd that most players are ignorant of the testing requirements. This is foolish and irresponsible so I’ve collected together some basic information to help out my fellow players.
I’ve seen players over the years handle their air sources quite recklessly risking themselves and more importantly others. These bottles in general are very safe to use given people use them correctly and get them inspected and tested regularly
HPA tanks
Basic rules: (note - these are basic thumb rules not the actual statutes)
1 - All fiber-wrapped tanks must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 3 years, unless the manufacturer specifically indicates ON THE BOTTLE that hydrostatic testing is due at 5 years intervals. All fiber-wrapped tanks have a maximum lifespan of 15 years, no exceptions.
2 - All steel and aluminum HPA tanks must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 5 years, with an unlimited lifespan. The only exception to this rule is for steel tanks stamped 3HT, which must be tested every 3 years and have a 24 year lifespan.
CO2 tanks
Basic rules: (note - these are basic thumb rules not the actual statutes):
1 - All CO2 tanks (including chrome-moly alloy tanks) must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 5 years, with unlimited lifespan. The only exception is for tanks under 2 inches in diameter and less than 2 feet in length, these are exempt from testing.
EXEMPTIONS
That number on your tank that starts with "E-" does not mean the bottle is exempt from testing, it means the manufacturer is required to have a current authorization letter on file with the DOT. These letters describe what requirements the DOT and the manufacturers have placed on the bottle's use, the testing requirements and other important information. It means that bottle falls under an exemption from the blanket rule in some specification, but that exemption may or may not address the hydrostatic test date.
Here are all listed "E" codes for fiber-wrapped tanks on the DOT site, and how they will affect your bottle:
• E-07277 - manufacturer SCI, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydro test schedule.
• E-09634 - manufacturer Luxfer, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydro test schedule.
• E-10915 - manufacturer Luxfer, may be changed to 5-year schedule.
11/13/08 Note: SP-10915 is a special permit issued for certain Luxfer bottles and have the same limits as E-10915 TESTING: Cylinders retested prior to May 11, 2001 must be retested within 36 months of the retest date marked on the cylinder. Cylinders retested on or after May 11, 2001 must be reinspected and hydrostatically retested at least once every five years.
• E-10945, manufacturer SCI, may be changed to 5-year schedule.
• E-11005, manufacturer Carleton Tech, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydrostatic test schedule.
• E-11194, manufacturer Carleton Tech, may be changed to 5 year schedule.
• E-12479, manufacturer Luxfer, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydrostatic test schedule.
5-year test schedule exemption explained - All these bottles still have a maximum service life of 15 years from original manufacture. These bottles were originally manufactured under a 3-year retest schedule, but the manufacturer was allowed by the DOT to move them to a 5-year retest schedule, provided they have been tested or manufactured after a certain date, as applied below:
• For exemption code E-10915, if the last test date was before May 11, 2001 then your bottle is still on the 3-year cycle and must be tested every 3 years. If it shows a test date after May 11, 2001 then your bottle is now on a 5-year test schedule.
• For exemption codes E-10945 and E-11194, your bottle is on a 3-year test schedule if the last test occurred before July 1, 2001. If your bottle has been tested after that date, you are now on a 5-year test schedule.
Some Links to do your own research if you like:
Safety Advisory: Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Substandard Compressed Gas Cylinders; Safety advisory notice
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...cfr180.209.pdf
Okay guys here are the facts from the current DOT document:
So basically an HPA Cylinder [as used in paintball] has a service life of 15 years. The manufacturer of your bottle may extend it up to 30 years if they follow the above procedure and it is approved. If you want to know the actual service life you need to contact the bottle manufacterer or look up the details of the exception that has to be listed on the bottle.
For me I'll just keep discarding at 15 years and keep it simple
Given that we utilize CO2 cylinders and High Pressure Air [HPA] bottles on a regular basis, it is wierd that most players are ignorant of the testing requirements. This is foolish and irresponsible so I’ve collected together some basic information to help out my fellow players.
I’ve seen players over the years handle their air sources quite recklessly risking themselves and more importantly others. These bottles in general are very safe to use given people use them correctly and get them inspected and tested regularly
HPA tanks
Basic rules: (note - these are basic thumb rules not the actual statutes)
1 - All fiber-wrapped tanks must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 3 years, unless the manufacturer specifically indicates ON THE BOTTLE that hydrostatic testing is due at 5 years intervals. All fiber-wrapped tanks have a maximum lifespan of 15 years, no exceptions.
2 - All steel and aluminum HPA tanks must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 5 years, with an unlimited lifespan. The only exception to this rule is for steel tanks stamped 3HT, which must be tested every 3 years and have a 24 year lifespan.
CO2 tanks
Basic rules: (note - these are basic thumb rules not the actual statutes):
1 - All CO2 tanks (including chrome-moly alloy tanks) must be inspected and hydrostatically tested every 5 years, with unlimited lifespan. The only exception is for tanks under 2 inches in diameter and less than 2 feet in length, these are exempt from testing.
EXEMPTIONS
That number on your tank that starts with "E-" does not mean the bottle is exempt from testing, it means the manufacturer is required to have a current authorization letter on file with the DOT. These letters describe what requirements the DOT and the manufacturers have placed on the bottle's use, the testing requirements and other important information. It means that bottle falls under an exemption from the blanket rule in some specification, but that exemption may or may not address the hydrostatic test date.
Here are all listed "E" codes for fiber-wrapped tanks on the DOT site, and how they will affect your bottle:
• E-07277 - manufacturer SCI, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydro test schedule.
• E-09634 - manufacturer Luxfer, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydro test schedule.
• E-10915 - manufacturer Luxfer, may be changed to 5-year schedule.
11/13/08 Note: SP-10915 is a special permit issued for certain Luxfer bottles and have the same limits as E-10915 TESTING: Cylinders retested prior to May 11, 2001 must be retested within 36 months of the retest date marked on the cylinder. Cylinders retested on or after May 11, 2001 must be reinspected and hydrostatically retested at least once every five years.
• E-10945, manufacturer SCI, may be changed to 5-year schedule.
• E-11005, manufacturer Carleton Tech, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydrostatic test schedule.
• E-11194, manufacturer Carleton Tech, may be changed to 5 year schedule.
• E-12479, manufacturer Luxfer, to be tested every 3 years, 15 year service life. This exemption deals with the manufacturing process, not the hydrostatic test schedule.
5-year test schedule exemption explained - All these bottles still have a maximum service life of 15 years from original manufacture. These bottles were originally manufactured under a 3-year retest schedule, but the manufacturer was allowed by the DOT to move them to a 5-year retest schedule, provided they have been tested or manufactured after a certain date, as applied below:
• For exemption code E-10915, if the last test date was before May 11, 2001 then your bottle is still on the 3-year cycle and must be tested every 3 years. If it shows a test date after May 11, 2001 then your bottle is now on a 5-year test schedule.
• For exemption codes E-10945 and E-11194, your bottle is on a 3-year test schedule if the last test occurred before July 1, 2001. If your bottle has been tested after that date, you are now on a 5-year test schedule.
Some Links to do your own research if you like:
Safety Advisory: Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Substandard Compressed Gas Cylinders; Safety advisory notice
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...cfr180.209.pdf
Okay guys here are the facts from the current DOT document:
Quote:
DOT-CFFC BASIC REQUIREMENTS (FIFTH REVISION)
CFFC-3 SERVICE LIFE: Cylinder service life is 15 years from
the date of manufacture. The Associate Administrator
for Hazardous Materials Safety (AAHMS) may approve an
extension of cylinder service life up to a total
service life of 30 years. A service life extension
approval is made by modification to the exemption
authorizing cylinder construction. Approvals of
service life extension will be addressed under the
following procedures:
CFFC-3 SERVICE LIFE: Cylinder service life is 15 years from
the date of manufacture. The Associate Administrator
for Hazardous Materials Safety (AAHMS) may approve an
extension of cylinder service life up to a total
service life of 30 years. A service life extension
approval is made by modification to the exemption
authorizing cylinder construction. Approvals of
service life extension will be addressed under the
following procedures:
1. The cylinder manufacturer must submit a Service
Life Extension Plan that includes: a cylinder life
cycle analysis; an in-service inspection and testing
program to monitor and validate the cylinder life cycle
analysis; and a proposal for the periodic reporting of
data to the AAHMS. This Plan must be submitted as a
part of the original exemption application.
2. The in-service inspection and testing program must
begin within one year of the date the exemption is
granted.
3. The manufacturer must submit a final report based
on data gathered during the in-service inspection and
testing program, on cylinders with service lives up to
12 years. This report must be submitted to the AAHMS
no more than 13 years after the date the original
exemption is granted.
4. The AAHMS will make a decision to approve or
reject a service life extension based on the review of
the final report. The manufacturer will be notified of
the decision within 180 days after the AAHMS receives
the final report.
For me I'll just keep discarding at 15 years and keep it simple
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Update
WARNING DO NOT USE FIBER WRAPPED BOTTLES FROM GLOBAL COMPOSITES WITH THE DOT-E 12695 EXEMPTION • E-12695 GCI (Global Composites) DOT recommends that any person possessing a cylinder manufactured by Global Composites International, Inc. (GCI) and marked with exemption number DOT-E 12695 take the cylinder to a qualified refilling station and have the pressure relieved from the cylinder. The cylinder is no longer authorized for use. Refilling stations and cylinder requalification facilities are advised that DOT-E 12695 has been suspended and these cylinders may not be refilled or requalified for service. |
 
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