Hi Y’all,I just got back from the KORE event in Dallas and during my talk there I promised to post links to the resources every field and store owner needs to have on hand to provide high pressure air refills. These are the reference materials you’ll need to create a training file for you and your staff members. This is a big step towards unity in our industry to prevent accidents.
A note to the reality of the internet, these links are all valid as of today. If the webmaster of ones of these sites revises their webpage these links will become broken. In the event of a broken link please reach out to me so that I can update them for everyone as fast as possible.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49. You need to reference sections 180.0 through 180.3 which has to do with what cylinders need hydro-testing and when. These are the rules and the exceptions to those rules for both DOT and UN cylinders. Pertinent information for us starts on page 338.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2024-title49-vol3/pdf/CFR-2024-title49-vol3.pdf
For a Paid, printed version:
https://hydro-test.com/publications/393-185-title-49-code-of-federal-regulations/
C-6.1: Standard for Visual Inspection of High Pressure Aluminum Alloy Compressed Gas Cylinders. This is the guide for all our CO2, 48/3K HP air rentals, and more. The official link is here:
https://legacy.cganet.com/Publication/Details.aspx?id=C-6.1
You may find a less expensive printed and bound copy here:
https://hydro-test.com/publications/393-306-1-cga-pamphlet-c-6-1/
Free bootleg version:
https://www.scribd.com/document/658590927/C-6-1-HST
C-6.2: Standard for Visual Inspection and Requalification of Fiber Reinforced High Pressure Cylinders. Any tank SP or UN that is fiber wrapped. Official link:
https://legacy.cganet.com/Publication/Details.aspx?id=C-6.2
Printed copy from hydro-test products:
https://hydro-test.com/publications/393-306-2-cga-pamphlet-c-6-2/
Bootleg:
https://www.scribd.com/document/658590805/C-6-2-HST
PHMSA Facts — Hazardous Materials Awareness video on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/JCj4kQiivxI?si=xvq3qJNXpUjc2GkI
PHMSA (DOT) Special Permits. You should have a copy of each SP for tanks you fill so you know if the permit has expired and the tanks can no longer be filled. Look them up by SP number here:
https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/approvals-and-permits/hazmat/special-permits-list
I hope this helps everyone by listing the links to everything in one place. I’m always available if you have any questions.
Nick
Why is grip tape illegal?
A lot of tanks come in with grip tape on the bottom. Federal law requires us to remove it, it’s a pain. Please don’t put it on your tank. Buy a silicone tank grip, they are cheap and easy to take on and off. By law tanks can’t be filled or hydrostatically tested with tape or stickers on them. This is because the DOT realizes that there is a person out there dumb enough to cover up tank damage with tape, or a sticker in order to hide damage and keep using their tank. It would be crazy dangerous. At each fill, the fill station operator is required to perform a visual inspection of the exterior of the bottle looking for physical damage. Tape and stickers prevent a full inspection and need to be removed. In addition to that for a hydro test if a piece of tape or sticker came loose after being soaked under water while in the machine it could damage our testing machine. We remove all tape, stickers, tank covers, etc before putting the tank in the hydro tester.
Check out our selection of reusable tank grips here:
https://shop.hogansalleypaintball.com/searchresults.asp?Search=exalt+tank+grip&Submit=
Nick Morrione, Hydrotester