15 Years means 15 Years, regardless if it is a new hydro or not

[Joe Brancato]

I've had enough people call me lately on this topic, that I must make a public service announcement.  This topic was not posted to debate; just show the legal facts. People have called me asking why they can't get their tanks  filled (after purchasing elsewhere) that are expired, but were hydro-tested in the last 5 years.  Here is why:

Carbon fiber tanks are good for 15 years, and only 15 years from date of manufacture.  It doesn't matter if you get a hydro performed on the 14th year and 364th day, the tank will not be allowed to be legally filled after the 15 year life.  So if someone tries to sell a tank to you saying it was made in Jan 2001, but was just hydro-tested and is good for 5 more years, they are in error.

As per DOT Special Permit 10915, section 7 Par C. part (1) the maximum life if 15 years.  Regardless of hydro-testing.

http://phmsa.dot.gov/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_7BDB17D7A43788B24FD95F2C9CE6CD54462B0100/filename/SP10915_2012080572.pdf

[Meann-Machine]

Joe,
     If you know, does "15 years" mean the tank is at a point where its continued use could be dangerous or is that merely a bureaucratic time limit placed on the tank as  a determined life span?  My understanding is similar tanks in Europe have been assigned 30 year or even indefinite life spans.

[Motorhead]

Use which would be "Self Filling" after 15 years is 100% end users risk !!
No one in there right mind is going to state otherwise !!
While Europe has longer ratings ... if tanks are the same or not is any ones guess outside of the manufacturers knowledge. 
And not reading them stating anything one way or the other.
Liability issues rule ..... IMO end of discussion. 

[PBguns]

There is a scott bottle on my local craigslist right now.
Hydro 6/15 with a manufacture date of 1/2001.
Listed for $165 and some one will unknowingly buy it.
Seems with such a short usability window that $165 should be about half that.

my $.02

[SogeKingDB0]

I've had enough people call me lately on this topic, that I must make a public service announcement.  This topic was not posted to debate; just show the legal facts. People have called me asking why they can't get their tanks  filled (after purchasing elsewhere) that are expired, but were hydro-tested in the last 5 years.  Here is why:

Carbon fiber tanks are good for 15 years, and only 15 years from date of manufacture.  It doesn't matter if you get a hydro performed on the 14th year and 364th day, the tank will not be allowed to be legally filled after the 15 year life.  So if someone tries to sell a tank to you saying it was made in Jan 2001, but was just hydro-tested and is good for 5 more years, they are in error.

As per DOT Special Permit 10915, section 7 Par C. part (1) the maximum life if 15 years.  Regardless of hydro-testing.

Joe..

Theoretically without advocating anyone do so,
If you had the means to fill a tank yourself and it is past the 15 year "lifespan" how dangerous would it be to keep filling it?

[ezman604]

Thread being locked. Lifespan of a CF tank in the USA is 15 years BY LAW.
Nuff said....end of discussion.