Warning!! Do Not Use These Fiber Wrapped Bottles

I want to thank Jes [gfgjester] for pointing this out. The following is up to date as of today 9/18/07. These bottles are unsafe, are not to be used, and can not be certified ever for use. I remember hearing a rumor that they had overturned this ruling but according to DOT the Safety Advisory is still in effect.

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.


Below is the DOT link and a copy of the Safety Advisory:

http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/notices/sa/70fr-47273.htm

[Federal Register: August 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 155)]
[Notices]
[Page 47273-47274]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12au05-143]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2005-20104 (Notice No. 05-06)]


Safety Advisory: Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Substandard
Compressed Gas Cylinders

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.

ACTION: Safety advisory notice.


SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that PHMSA and the Office of the
Inspector General (OIG) are investigating the manufacture, marking, and
sale of high pressure DOT exemption cylinders made and/or distributed
by Global Composites International, Inc. (GCI), Ontario, CA. PHMSA and
the OIG have evidence that suggests GCI manufactured, marked,
certified, and sold an undetermined number of high-pressure DOT
exemption carbon fiber filament cylinders when the cylinders had not
been manufactured in accordance with the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR), DOT-E 12695, and the design qualification standards
incorporated into the exemption. The evidence suggests that some of
these cylinders were not wrapped with a sufficient number of carbon
fiber layers to insure their structural integrity. In addition, the
evidence suggests that many of these cylinders did not undergo the
complete series of safety tests and inspections required by the HMR and
may not possess the structural integrity to safely contain its contents
under pressure during normal transportation and use. Extensive property
damage, serious personal injury, or death could result from rupture of
a cylinder.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond L. LaMagdelaine, Chief Special
Investigations, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 7th Street SW., Room 7104, Washington DC, 20590.
Telephone: (202) 366-4700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through its investigation, PHMSA and the OIG
believe that GCI manufactured, marked, certified and sold an
undetermined number of high-pressure carbon fiber wrapped cylinders
owned by commercial entities and the private consumer. Among others, we
believe many of these may be in use by paint ball enthusiasts. 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.
This safety advisory covers all high-pressure DOT exemption
cylinders manufactured by Global Composites International, Inc. and
marked with DOT exemption number DOT-E 12695

[[Page 47274]]

These cylinders may pose a safety risk to the public and should be
considered unsafe for use in hazardous materials service. Furthermore,
cylinders described in this safety advisory should not be filled with a
hazardous material.

Issued in Washington, DC on August, 2005.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-16022 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P