TANK INSPECTION
#1 – Visually inspect the tank for cracks. You have to remove the tank cover to see the whole tank.
IS THE TANK CERTIFIED TO USE?
#2 – Check for DOT or ISO/UN numbers
HYDROSTATIC TEST DATE
#3 Look for the born on date or the date of the last Hydrotest
TANK DATES and LIFESPAN
- All tanks must be Hydrotested every 5 years
- All tanks have a 15yr lifespan.
HYDROSTATIC TEST or HYDROTEST – Tanks need to be hydro-tested in the month prior to their birth date/month. For example, the tank below should have been hydro-tested in October of 2019 and again in 2024 because its certification is up in November.
Every carbon fiber wrapped bottle has a label on the side. Every metallic bottle has the pertinent information stamped into it near the top of the bottle.
NUMBERS ON THE TANKS:
The DOT Number is the number that is given to a bottle lot to make it easily identifiable by the Department of Transportation.
To the right of the DOT Number is the Maximum Operating Pressure, in this instance it is 4500. This bottle is capable of holding 4500 PSI.
Below the DOT Number is the Canadian equivalent of the DOT Number and to the right of that is the pressure rating in BARs (each Bar is equivalent to 14.508 PSI, so 14.508 X 310 = 4497.48 PSI)
Below that are the bottles’ SERIAL NUMBERS. DEM 157 – A0153
Below the serial numbers is the HYDRO DATE (or Born on Date). 12 @ 04 The M number signifies the MANUFACTURER.
13ci Compressed Air Tanks
The myth is that tanks this size do not have to be hydrotested because they fall under the 2″ diameter and under 24″ in length. The 3AL specification cylinder re-qualification set forth in CFR49 ss180.205 requires that tanks must be hydrostatically tested and are only exempt from volumetric tests. Similar tanks that are marked 3E do not require hydrotesting.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOT AND ISO?
Compressed Air Tanks require certification in the United States and Europe. In the United States the DOT (Department of Transportation) enforce the standards set by CGA (Compressed Gas Association). In Europe the UN (United Nations) and EU (European Union) enforce the standards set by ISO (International Standards Organization).
It is very expensive for manufacturers in paintball, or any industry that uses cylinders, to be part of ISO and CGA. This ensures safety standards for all when it comes to manufacture and use of cylinders.
If you have a tank with an ISO number and you live and play paintball in the US you need to make sure your tank also has the UN symbol and the USA certification code stamped on your tank in conjunction with the ISO number.
If your tank only has an ISO number it is NOT VALID for use in the United States.
All of these tanks are still subject to Hydro Testing every 5 years and all tanks have a 15-year lifespan.