Cylinder standards / testing / lifecycle - UKPSF HPA1 / air safety

[Tommikka]

Something that was brought up recently in a different thread, please see the attached which consist of ‘official’ UKPSF air safety information (as at 2010) plus my updates (the current situation as according to Tom)

UKPSF = UK Paintball Sports Federation
(Effectively the ‘official’ body for paintball in the UK, recognised by the Home Office)

UKSPC = UK scenario paintball community
(A former collective of scenario event organisers, with agreed standards in line with UKPSF recommendations / best practice etc)

The two pages with the UKPSF logo were the HPA1 air safety guidance leaflet, which was also a handout at air safety briefings, and is as at 2010
The supplement is my personal update - based on formal sources etc

 

[Steveocee]

TL;dr?

 

[Tommikka]

TL;dr?

Click to shrink...

It’s long as it covers many elements, but a shorter version is :

For an HPA user the minimum knowledge needed is to never use oil on the regulator or nipple, use a nipple cover and keep burst disks away from bare skin
Then let site staff look at the markings to decide if they will let you use the cylinder

Read a bit more if you don’t want to buy old Pi stock that is no longer valid on the mainland, or to be aware when it is due to expire (or not)


Cylinders that can be filled on site in mainland GB currently require one of the following markings:

Pi with a born / manufacture date up to 31/12/2022
Rho
UN ISO 11119
NI market Pi from 1/1/2023 (expect a ‘discussion’ with site staff

The cylinder must also be in date, typically subject to hydro testing every 5 years
Fibre wrapped typically has a 15 year maximum life
UN ISO can have unlimited life, except the manufacturer probably puts on a final date
Aluminium 3000psi can have a 10 year cycle rather than 5, but manufacturers usually paint on 5
Small aluminium 3000psi cylinders are exempt from hydro testing - up to 13ci or 14ci. But 15ci is not exempt

Use a fill nipple cover and never use oil