GTA

Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 => Topic started by: mrsecman on June 20, 2017, 05:42:31 AM

Title: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: mrsecman on June 20, 2017, 05:42:31 AM
Greetings,

I am a complete newbie to the PCP world.  Would of you kind gentleman or ladies, be so gracious to answer the following questions:

Is it okay to store SCBA tanks outside in a storage shed year round? I live in the South where the summers are quite hot and winters are below freezing.

How long can you safely store a filled tank without use?

When it's time to have your tank refilled, would it be a permissible to  strapped the tank to a dolly and roll it in? Don't want to look an idiot or cause an alarm.

At what pressure level do you refill?

Is water a concern when refilling the tank or your rifle?

Thanks In Advance!
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: WxRadarman on June 20, 2017, 10:05:04 AM
Welcome to the world of PCPs and all the accessories that go with them.
SCUBA Storage -- Outside should not be a problem.  SCUBA tanks are rugged and the heat will not harm them.
How Long -- If I were using the tanks for diving, I would not want to dive with air that was stored over a year.  For air guns, I don't think there is any problem storing longer.
Refilling -- As long as you are being safe when you move the tanks, no one is going to worry about how you get your tanks to the fill site.  Many people on the GTA have carts for their tanks.  Guys who dive a lot also have come up with devices to make moving tanks around easier.  As long as the tanks are secure and can't fall over, no problems.
Pressure -- Most SCUBA tanks are rated for 3000 PSI.  My dive shop knows I shoot Air Rifles, so Mr. George always gives me the extra 10% when he refills me.  The person filling your tanks will make the call on max PSI he is comfortable filling to.  Talk to them and they will do whatever is safe.
Water -- If you get your tanks filled at a dive shop, there is minimal risk of water in the air.  If you get tanks filled at a Paintball outlet, or similar, that just gives High Pressure Air vs Breathable air, I think the risk is more.

Hope this helps.
Keith
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: mrsecman on June 24, 2017, 03:33:02 AM
Thanks for the response but does this hold true for SCBA tanks too?
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: WxRadarman on June 24, 2017, 06:07:34 AM
Thanks for the response but does this hold true for SCBA tanks too?
I do not have an SCBA tank, so I can't say for sure, but I think most of it applies.
Most SCBA tanks are rated at 4500 PSI. Some dive shops can only fill to 3500. Most paintball shops can fill to 4500.
Search SCBA and you should find all the answers you need.
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: Doug Wall on June 24, 2017, 12:22:40 PM
The outside shed is probably OK , as long as it's vented to keep the heat buildup to a minimum. Put in bigger vents, both high and low if needed. Keep the tank out of the sun, away from an chemicals or gas, someplace where it won't get banged. Having it vertically, in a wood box/holder, against the north wall of the shed (coolest) might be good.
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: rcontrera on July 01, 2017, 04:53:39 AM
Greetings,

I am a complete newbie to the PCP world.  Would of you kind gentleman or ladies, be so gracious to answer the following questions:

Is it okay to store SCBA tanks outside in a storage shed year round? I live in the South where the summers are quite hot and winters are below freezing.
How long can you safely store a filled tank without use?
When it's time to have your tank refilled, would it be a permissible to  strapped the tank to a dolly and roll it in? Don't want to look an idiot or cause an alarm.
At what pressure level do you refill?
Is water a concern when refilling the tank or your rifle?

Thanks In Advance!
I will answer in the order you asked:

Hope that helps!

Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: starlingassassin on July 01, 2017, 08:44:35 AM
just a question... why not store the tank in your house?  its a much more controlled environment
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: blackdiesel on July 02, 2017, 01:48:50 AM
I store mine in my garage in a container.  I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks).  All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.

(https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071617/071617792954.jpg)


(https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071617/071617792954_00676125.jpg)
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: UncleJohn on July 07, 2017, 10:22:14 AM

Your point of storing your SCBA cylinder in a shed could be problematic.  If children could have access to your SCBA cylinder an awful accident could be the result.  Also, if something falls on the cylinder and breaks the valve, the cylinder becomes a missle!  I would keep it in the house.

John

Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: Tater on July 07, 2017, 01:29:39 PM
I store mine in my garage in a container.  I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks).  All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.


Nice set up Norman.
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: . on July 07, 2017, 01:40:21 PM
I store mine in my garage in a container.  I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks).  All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.


Nice set up Norman.

Right? Very nice, indeedy...

That would be a good system for me and mine, cuz once I start buying tanks, Ima need several.....and....a....c-o-m-p-r-e-s-s-o-r...gotta face that fact sooner or later, mhmm..

:D Chickie
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: blackdiesel on July 07, 2017, 02:39:13 PM
I store mine in my garage in a container.  I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks).  All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.


Nice set up Norman.

Thanks.  SCBA tanks are very tough and can withstand a lot of stressful conditions.  Just think of what firemen do with their tanks.  I challenged anyone to find a credible report of a SCBA tank exploding or causing harm to anyone.  They are built completely different from an aluminum or steel tank.  Here is a picture of my tanks in the storage bin.

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/blackdiesel/Air%20guns/IMG_20170706_120156_zpsjryrjqsl.jpg)
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: Tater on July 07, 2017, 02:45:57 PM
That's a whole lot of shooting available in that storage bin!
Title: Re: SCBA Tank Storage and Safety Tips
Post by: keithd on July 21, 2017, 09:07:59 AM
SCBA tanks are extremely safe.
I spent 12 years as a firefighter and 5 years as a state fire instructor. Never seen or heard of an incident with SCBA exploding does not happen, that I know of . They slow out sort of (very rapidly) if ruptured (I have seen this happen).
Extreme heat I have had my gear, radio, and other bits melted in fires and the tanks survive just fine. We have gone from sub zero Feb. temps  to 1100°F burning rooms and the tanks take the punishment just fine. Guys had ceilings and roofs collapse on them and the bottles save their butts from being crushed more than once.
So a hot or cold shed is sure as *(&^ not going to hurt them.
Biggest thing would be abrasions, cuts or gashes which could weaken the integrity of the tank. So you buy a tank and want it to last just protect the tank with a cover, bottom bumpers, etc.