Does anyone use the out of date scba tanks and how do you guys feel about it. Yes i know it is a use at your on risk subject but wandered what your feeling are.
SCBA TANKS
- Thread starter Rockhound1
- Start date
In some countries they have a 30 year life span, USA is 15 year life span, same tanks made in the same factory's, made to the same specs.
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I use 7 scba tank that are past the 15 year life span. And I don’t worry about them. They work great. I think now some fire Dept’s. Can actually get them re certified for another 15 years. And I have had the tanks for 4 or 5 years now. They only issue is that you have to have your own compressor to fill them or know ppl that work at a fire department that don’t mind filling them.
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Agree. Mine still has years to go on current certification but if it looks good inside and out I'll refill it for the rest of my life.
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Mine are both out of date and I'm not worried about it. think about it one day before 15 years a fireman will strap that on his back and walk into a burning building the next day it's not safe anymore.
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Hi
If they have not been submerged in the sea and carrying out an internal and external visual inspection, it is not deteriorated, I think that its useful life is much longer than indicated, the problem is if you cannot charge it yourself. The greatest danger of a deteriorated scba is in recharging where you have to be more careful.
Regards
Enkey
If they have not been submerged in the sea and carrying out an internal and external visual inspection, it is not deteriorated, I think that its useful life is much longer than indicated, the problem is if you cannot charge it yourself. The greatest danger of a deteriorated scba is in recharging where you have to be more careful.
Regards
Enkey
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The fire brigades usually turn them over in less than 5 years. Why do you think there are so many mid-life used ones on the market. The risk in buying an out of date tank is you don't know how it has been treated. If it has been stored with dry air for its whole life, it should be good for many more years even if it has had hard use. On the other hand, it may have had little use and been left in a moist or acidic atmosphere in an empty condition with the valve open or stored full of wet air. If it's out of date, it won't be able to be tested. The choice is yours.
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I have my own pump and am a volunteer fireman. Just was thinking of getting a used tank for more options for filling.I to believe they are safe way past the 15 year mark and some are now 30 year. Guessing they are same tanks labeled different.
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I use an out of date tank, I only fill it to 4200 psi, most times less. It's been two years and probably 30-40 refills no issues I keep a close eye on it. I understand the risks associated with it, but I also understand there are risk associated with any high pressure system. New equipment fails also. I wear a face shield and hearing protection when refilling.
The 15 year service life is a one-size-fits-all rule that doesn't reflect the lifespan of the tank. As people have said, you can get tank re-certified for another 15 years. However, some people are binary thinkers, black and white. They believe a tank on the last day of its life is safe and the next day it is dangerous. Does that make any sense to you? I would also not put too much faith in the word of people trying to sell you second hand tanks, just like anyone trying to sell you something. Certain tank sellers are particularly douchy, I will say. Do your own research and make up your own mind.
If you decide to go with a second hand tank, find one that is already full and holding air [even if they drain it for shipping] and find a picture of the actual tank you are buying, not a sample from a lot of 25-50, etc. Good luck!!
The 15 year service life is a one-size-fits-all rule that doesn't reflect the lifespan of the tank. As people have said, you can get tank re-certified for another 15 years. However, some people are binary thinkers, black and white. They believe a tank on the last day of its life is safe and the next day it is dangerous. Does that make any sense to you? I would also not put too much faith in the word of people trying to sell you second hand tanks, just like anyone trying to sell you something. Certain tank sellers are particularly douchy, I will say. Do your own research and make up your own mind.
If you decide to go with a second hand tank, find one that is already full and holding air [even if they drain it for shipping] and find a picture of the actual tank you are buying, not a sample from a lot of 25-50, etc. Good luck!!
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I charge my (3) SCBA's (all out of date) to 4200 psi just to leave a little safety factor and a bit less wear and tear on my Yong Heng. Just because it's rated to 4500 psi doesn't mean you have to fill it that high.
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