Paintball Cylinder Safety Guide New Smyrna Beach

Best Cylinder Care Practices for Responsible Paintballers

Always have your cylinder inspected or retested if it shows signs of gouges, dents, cuts, bulges or heat damage or if it has been dropped or otherwise damaged.

Before you use or fill your composite cylinder, remember:

Always…

• Always have your cylinder inspected or retested if it shows signs of gouges, dents, cuts, bulges or heat damage or if it has been dropped or otherwise damaged.
• Always check for leaks before each use. In the unlikely event that you detect a leak, do not refill the cylinder!
• Always verify that a composite cylinder to be filled with air has a working (charge) pressure printed on the label, and then make sure that the filling apparatus does not exceed that working (charge) pressure.
• Always have compressed air filled at less than 600 psig (40 bar) per minute to the stamped working pressure (PW) of the cylinder. Fast filling can cause overfilling!
• Always handle your cylinder with care. Avoid dropping it or banging it against hard surfaces, including when you’re out on the paintball field.

Never…

• Never ask for the cylinder to be filled beyond its rated capacity (charge pressure). Overfilling is dangerous!
• Never use or have your cylinder filled if it leaks or if damage is suspected. Take the cylinder to an authorized cylinder inspector for a thorough inspection.
• Never alter the safety release device on your cylinder, and never fill a cylinder on which the safety release device has been altered in any way.
• Never fill a cylinder that is outside its periodic inspection and retest period (cylinders must be retested and requalified every five years, starting from the original test date shown on the cylinder.
• Never modify your cylinder in any way or add attachments that are not authorized. Unauthorized modifications are illegal and could make the cylinder dangerous. Such modifications will also void your cylinder warranty.

Take care of your cylinder, and it will give you years of safe use!

Always…

• Always keep the threads and inside of your cylinder dry and free from oil, dirt and other contaminants.
• Always make sure that your cylinder is within its retest period. Cylinders must be inspected and requalified, including hydrostatic retesting, every five years. (Note: composite cylinders have a maximum life of 15 years from the first hydrostatic test).
• Always keep the outside of your cylinder clean, using only mild soap or a neutral detergent solution when necessary. Thoroughly dry the cylinder after cleaning.
• Always store your cylinder in a cool, dry area with adequate ventilation.
• Always have your cylinder serviced only by trained personnel.
• Always make sure that any authorized cylinder attachments are maintained, serviced, inspected and handled in strict accordance with their manufacturer’s instructions.

Never…

• Never alter or obscure cylinder markings.
• Never allow your cylinder to roll around while traveling.
• Never drop, strike or heat your cylinder.
• Never expose your cylinder to excessive heat (see temperature guidelines under “Warnings”).
• Never attempt to modify threads or force a valve into your cylinder.
• Never remove material from the exterior of your cylinder by sanding, scraping or any other means. Doing so could make the cylinder unsuitable for the rated pressure.
• Never modify your cylinder by adding extra openings for gauges or filling ports.
• Never repaint your cylinder with paints that must be heated. Use only air-drying paints. Never use caustic paint strippers or corrosive cleaners that could damage the cylinder.
• Never use the cylinder for anything other than its intended purpose.

Important information about your paintball cylinder!

Please read the following information carefully. Understand and remember these warnings. This information could save your life and the lives of others.

WARNING: Improper use, filling, storage, disposal or failure to follow instructions may result in property damage, serious personal injury or death!

NEVER alter or modify your cylinder in any way.

NEVER expose a filled or partially filled composite cylinder to temperatures exceeding 120°F (49°C).

NEVER expose an unfilled (unpressurized) composite cylinder to temperatures exceeding 130°F (54°C).

WARNING: If you suspect that a composite cylinder has been heated to temperatures of 130°F (54°C) or more, it MUST be hydrostatically retested and fully requalified before further use. Composite cylinders exposed to or showing evidence of exposure to heat in excess of 160°F (71°C) MUST be condemned and removed from service.

NEVER overfill or have your cylinder filled beyond its rated capacity. Overfilling is dangerous and may result in property damage and/or personal injury!

NEVER tamper with or alter the cylinder valve, safety relief device or other cylinder attachments.

WARNING: Activation of a safety relief device in an overfilled cylinder can result in property damage and personal injury!

NEVER use your composite cylinder for applications other than paintball.

NEVER use caustic paint strippers or corrosive cleaners that can damage your cylinder. NEVER use heat-activated paint (such as baked enamel or powder coatings) on your cylinder. Only use air-drying paints.

For more information on how to best care for your paintball cylinder, contact Empire Cylinder at 386-957-3809.