How Safe Are HP Tanks?

[Shingo]

I just got back from a local PB shop to get my tank filled. Dude was kinda trippin' with my tank and took forever looking over the label to make sure the Hydro Date was ok and that the tank was in good condition.

Then the guy started talking about a friend who was filling a Nitro Tank nearly lost his arm when it exploded mid fill. Now I'm a little bit freaked thinking that I have this tank right upto my chest 95% of the time I'm on the field. If something goes wrong, I could have half my chest blown open.

I want to know how safe these HP tanks are and if you heard of any other stories similar to this.

~Shingo~

[Muzikman]

Let's just put it this way. It's not as safe as the majority of paintball players think.

You are holding a 4500psi bomb/rocket in your hands. It needs to be treated with respect.

Do not use out of hydro tanks
Always use tank covers
Do not use a tank that has a scratch deep enough to affect the wrap
Do not throw your gun (with tank attached)
Do not use the tank as a hammer
and do not mill your tank.

[Shingo]

I've always babied my HP tank from the first day I bought it. She's nearly in mint condition. But you never know if you have one of the "bad" ones. Muzikman you're right. It's like a bomb waiting to go off.

Does anybody know a safe way to store these tanks? Should they be stored empty or with some air in it?

~Shingo~

[SlartyBartFast]

[JRingold]

Can they be dangerous, yes. Then again, so can the tires on cars, and the gas tanks, etc., etc.

With anything that is under pressure, you have to be certain that they are taken care of and stored properly. Someone once told me to think of the amount of pressure that 4500psi. has in this way: Take your standard automobile, and stand it up on a U.S. quarter. The amount of stress that's on the quarter, is approximately 4500psi.

You have to think about the tanks, and just don't do anything stupid with them. If something starts "unraveling" or if there's a cut or some form of defect, have trained personnel take a look at it. Only fill to the rated pressure.

The good thing is that it is relatively difficult to get a dynamic reaction out of a bottle that is still fit for purpose.

In perspective, considering the number of incidents that HPA and CO2 canisters have and the relative dangers of the contents of each, I still prefer HPA over CO2.

As far as storage; if there's nothing in it, nothing is trying to get out, thus it's in a pretty non-dynamic state if somthing does happen. I personally only fill before playing. If there is some volume in the tank at the end of play, I store in a cool place. Do I empty the tank just for the sake of emptying it? Only at the end of a season or if I am not planning to play in months.

[JRingold]

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Is there a story there? Can you describe what really happened, or are you simply trying to shock and scare people?

[MadPSIence]

looks like 4500psi in a 3000psi tank... that held up for a lil while but then blew the tank and regulator to ****... thus blowing up the gun too.

btw.. if you guys want to get the proper life out of your tanks.. store them empty.

[SlartyBartFast]

looks like 4500psi in a 3000psi tank... that held up for a lil while but then blew the tank and regulator to ****... thus blowing up the gun too.

btw.. if you guys want to get the proper life out of your tanks.. store them empty.

The HP burst disk on a 3000psi tank is 5000psi. No danger of making it burst with an overfill or two.

Don't make a habit of it though.

As far as background story, I have no clue. Just some pics offred up in a thread on PBN.

[Jaan]

I just got back from a local PB shop to get my tank filled. Dude was kinda trippin' with my tank and took forever looking over the label to make sure the Hydro Date was ok and that the tank was in good condition.

Yeah, the last time I got one of my CO2 tanks filled at a field the kid didn't want to do it because the *original* date was 1992, even though the rehydro was less than a year old. The way he was acting like a little creep it made me think twice about letting him fill the tank.

Yes, the tanks are dangerous and they definitely need to be treated with respect. I've heard that CO2 tanks can be more dangerous in certain instances too ... the dry ice inside acts like fuel in a rocket and can keep the tank flying for a while. That's what happened when the woman was killed last year at the birthday party.

I know it's standard practice to keep a little pressure in scuba tanks to keep moisture out. I would guess it's more important for steel tanks but I don't think it would hurt either way.

[FallNAngel]

looks like 4500psi in a 3000psi tank... that held up for a lil while but then blew the tank and regulator to ****... thus blowing up the gun too.

btw.. if you guys want to get the proper life out of your tanks.. store them empty.

I thought you were supposed to store them (talking long term) with *some* air in them, as it keeps everything closed up and prevents condensation, etc on the inside.

[MadPSIence]

I thought you were supposed to store them (talking long term) with *some* air in them, as it keeps everything closed up and prevents condensation, etc on the inside.

proper thread and nipple covers will do the job.. but if you want to leave like 40-50psi in the tank then you have double insurance.

i meant.. empty as in not 4 digit PSI numbers.

[marctooshbro]

is it dangerous for my co2 tanks to be under my bed for a while, both near full.

[onedude36]

how long is the hydro on pmi tanks? I have an armageddon with a pmi tank on it, and I dont know when it needs hydro.

[Creative Mayhem]

the best wa to store a tank is with at least 100PSI, that way there is no chance of any moisture getting in there. When there is moisture in the tank the actual alum tank inside the wrap can oxidize and basically flake off, causing a week point in the tank...

[Lohman446]

Considering what is to me an obvious danger of HPA tanks and the little respect that most people show for them I am very surprised there have not been more reported incidents with them then there have been.

Watch SCUBA people once with there tanks - most of them treat them as if they are filled with nitro-glycerin and might explode at the slightest tap.