cylinder age limit

[nedge46]

hello everyone! first post here so i want to make it a good one.
ive been welding about 8-10 years now and i havent thought about it, are there age limits on high pressure (2000-2500 psi) cylinders? im asking because my father brought it up when i was talking about the tank my grandfather gave me. its a 250cf tank from 1936... yeah 1936 and i got it tested and filled in 2012.

also, whats a good portable, easy to handle tank size for a dynasty 200 for moderate use? i was thinking 125cf but i can only purchase 80cf tanks here in ma

thanks everyone! hopefully ill be able to have some input on others posts

[aametalmaster]

99 years i think...Bob

[gnforge]

cylinder age limit

Yep see lots from early 1900s still in use. Local LWS told me they just got rid of some they found from late 1800s. That's scary.

[M J Mauer]

Welcome to the forum.

[H80N]

Periodically Tested For Safety

hello everyone! first post here so i want to make it a good one.
ive been welding about 8-10 years now and i havent thought about it, are there age limits on high pressure (2000-2500 psi) cylinders? im asking because my father brought it up when i was talking about the tank my grandfather gave me. its a 250cf tank from 1936... yeah 1936 and i got it tested and filled in 2012.

also, whats a good portable, easy to handle tank size for a dynasty 200 for moderate use? i was thinking 125cf but i can only purchase 80cf tanks here in ma

thanks everyone! hopefully ill be able to have some input on others posts

Some of the answers you got might be humorous but a little scary....
Highly doubtful you would ever see a 99 year old bottle....

For Safety's Sake DOT requires gas bottles to be periodically inspected and HYDROSTATICALLY Tested... Typically every 3 to 5 years.. here is some info on that..

Hydrostatic testing FAQ

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all cylinders to be hydrostatically tested every 3, 5, or 10 years. The time allowed by law is determined by a variety of factors such as the type of material, the gas it contains, its age, and special permits the cylinder may have been manufactured under. What is a hydrostatic test?
A “hydro test” is an approved way to test the structural integrity of a compressed gas container. It is performed by removing the valve, filling the container with water, and then pressuring the container above its operating limit. The expansion of the cylinder is measured, recorded, and analyzed. If cylinder expands beyond certain limits, the cylinder must be condemned.

In most cases corrosion or other damage, internal or external, will render a cylinder useless before a failed hydrostatic test.

How often is a hydro test required?
This depends on the rating of the cylinder and the date it was last tested. The month and year of each hydro test is stamped onto the cylinder between a letter and four numbers identifying the tester. It is 3, 5, or 10 years from this date that the next hydro test is due.
All cylinders have ratings that start with “DOT” or “ICC,” followed by the service pressure of the container. For example “DOT 3AA 1800” means a DOT approved cylinder made to the “3AA” specification rated for 1800 psi. Some common ratings and test intervals are below:5-Year test:
DOT 3A
ICC 3A
DOT 3AA
ICC 3AA
DOT 3AL

3-Year test:
DOT 3HT

10-Year test:
DOT 3AA with a “star” following the last hydro test date.

Some cylinders have a 5-point star stamped into the cylinder after the last hydro test date making them eligible for a 10-year test under certain circumstances.


Various:
DOT E
DOT SP
These are specialty cylinders that fall within a range of testing requirements and are manufactured and tested with “special permits” from the DOT.

What happens if the cylinder fails?
In the unlikely circumstance that the cylinder fails the hydro test, a test report will be given to the customer and the cylinder must be destroyed.


http://www.compressedgassystems.com/compressed-gas-systems/hydrostatic-testing-faq.html


Here is a link to the DOT REGS for gas bottles...

http://www.c-f-c.com/gaslink/docs/dot_cylinder.htm

[BD1]

There was a post on weldingweb site about tanks from 1900's that are in service.

[H80N]

There was a post on weldingweb site about tanks from 1900's that are in service.

Would guess that most of the oldest ones have suffered from some sort of atrition or failed HYDRO...
The oldest that I can recall seeing was 1942...

In any event ... no reputable gas dealer would refill a bottle that was not within current HYDRO test specs...regardless of its age....

[Broccoli1]

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?477301-Gas-Bottle-Date-Stamps&highlight=bottle

[JTMcC]

DOT says cylinders must be taken out of service after 99 years regardless of testing, or at least that was the reg a few years ago. I've had a 1912 owner bottle, around '03 or so.

J

[aametalmaster]

The place where i weld uses Airgas for their gasses. I saw 1913 bottles in 2011 when i started there. Now i see 1917 1918 almost weekly. Not on the large oxygen but on the smaller C02 which i think were oxygen bottles years ago and they were demoted to lower pressure cylinders. The coolest bottle i saw was a Ford Motor Company stamped bottle but Airgas must have bought them up too. Seems like they buy out all the smaller gas companies...Bob

[H80N]

99 Year Limit...?? Where??

If somebody has that reg in writing I sure would like to see it...(a link to the reference reg)

I have searched and read regs to no avail...

here is a link to the DOT regs..

http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/180.209

I am not saying the rule does not exist... just that I have not seen it...

have seen lots of arguments and discussion on several boards... both pro and con.. but no proof either way yet...

[H80N]

DOT Cylinder Maintenance, Retest and Certification Requirements

The most complete copy of the regs that I have found is here

http://www.c-f-c.com/gaslink/docs/dot_cylinder.htm#cylinder%20condemnation

and I sure did not find any reference to condemnation or rejection due to age...or a 99 year limit..

anybody else find it..??

[nedge46]

thanks guys! i guess i have a few years left on my cylinder then

The place where i weld uses Airgas for their gasses. I saw 1913 bottles in 2011 when i started there. Now i see 1917 1918 almost weekly. Not on the large oxygen but on the smaller C02 which i think were oxygen bottles years ago and they were demoted to lower pressure cylinders. The coolest bottle i saw was a Ford Motor Company stamped bottle but Airgas must have bought them up too. Seems like they buy out all the smaller gas companies...Bob

ford motor company cylinders?!?!? id love to have my hands on a couple of them! my grandfather has a cylinder with nazi swastikas on it pretty interesting if you ask me!

[Synchroman]

thanks guys! i guess i have a few years left on my cylinder then



ford motor company cylinders?!?!? id love to have my hands on a couple of them! my grandfather has a cylinder with nazi swastikas on it pretty interesting if you ask me!

The last time I exchanged, I was shown a bottle with a swastika that had been stamped through, It was 1940's IIRC and was still usable according to the sales person as the LWS. As long at they pass hydro, they can be used at whatever length of time is indicated by the tester's stamps.