Banned Bottles

[Ryan]

I was reading on another website that the fibre wrapped bottles are now banned from competition as they're unsafe to use in US competitions...

Now being the way Australia is, theres a good chance that they'll follow suit soon enough.

My problem is this, i havent bought an air system yet, and dont want to be stuck with a brand new item i cant use.
So what systems dont have a fibre wrapped design ?

[acc1]

I dont know if that will happen here. Fiber wrapped is all the go. And i dont think they have found anything that is better then it as of yet. So i think it will be in good use for at least the next few years.

Also are you sure its not the latest info on a certain brand of fibre wrapped that was banned? I dont think theres been to many problems with them, only recently because of 1 company behind the making of them made mistakes? But havent heard anything wrong with all the other brands.

[reaver]

theyd be crazy to ban all fibre wrapped bottles.....

[Ryan]

Okay sorry guys, let me clarify a bit more

All bottles with the US Standards marking "DOT E-12695"

[acc1]

Ya. ;) thats what i thought. Its about the CGI bottles. All other fiber wrapped bottles are A-OK ;) Centerflag and Luxfer are good. Think ill get my self a centerflag in a few months.
:D

[GAV WA]

Not sure if it's the cgi cylinders that's the issue here but I haven't looked into it yet, but as they are stating a standard, that suggests it's not a brand or company but they have found that type of design to have a flaw. That or the standard you quoted is for the 5 year test sequence cylinders as I've heard of a few questions over there validity. You can't use 5 year test sequence cylinders in OZ anyway.

[GAV WA]

Just had a quick talk with a workmate and it seems CGI were making cylinders that didn't meet DOT standards. The only effect this will have in aus. is if you have a GCI cylinder I suggest to you that you either check the stamps and numbers or if it was me I'd buy another cylinder.

[Jamie_Cracker]

correct gav cylinders made between aug 04 and mar 05 and manufactured by cgi are affected

[P.K.]

Sounds a bit scarey.
I've highlighted the end bit that says which GCI cylinders are affected.

[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