carbon bottles and inspections?

Maybe that's just a store thing. I'de find another store. Feds require 5 years.

Every 5 years. You’re getting conned. Ask them to show you the requirement in writing. Are they charging you for this annual inspection. If so, find another store. 

If you are filling at a scuba shop, the industry standard is visual inspection (VI) every year and hydro every 5 years. The VI is a safety inspection that looks for damage in several areas. The scuba shop that I use even uses a video camera to inspect the inside of the tank. The VI checklist includes around 15 items and the tech has a special certication and training in performing the VI. 

I've beena scuba diver since 1983. Every shop I've delt with always has had the same rule: No current VI sticker, no fill. 

Jim

I don't know about the regulations in the US but here in Aus, scuba bottles need to be in test every 12 months and hydro tested, I think every 4 years. That is for scuba diving. SCBA have different requirements, just needing the hydro every 5 years or whatever the manufacturer specifies. If you are using a dive bottle for your PCP, the dive shop by law has to follow the rules on scuba as they can't be sure what it will be used for. Some people label their bottles with PCP or not for breathing but that may help with a SCBA tank but not with a dive bottle. Your question is about carbon bottles so the dive shop should know it's not a dive tank. Tell them the rules!

I recently read about a company that will test and certify your tank past the 15 year mark. I remember it was about 1/2 the cost of a new tank, but I don't remember the company name. Also, I read about a study the Navy did on 15 year old tanks, and they found the tanks were still safe after the 15 year point.

It's their store, buy a compressor.
i have spoken to numerous tank peoples. None have had a CF tank failure. Not to say that cant happen. Theres a bill to extend their life to 30 tyears. If you have a leak its @ the
vavle/ o ring. Since most of these tanks are sold to FDs its a racket to steal public money. GO FIGURE! Make sure the tank has no bulges or serious dings.

Far as I know the inspection for once a year happens when we breath the air in the tank like a scuba tank, in your case your not breathing it so it should only be the hydro every 5 years 

@AR, I think you are correct. NONE of the SCUBA shops I've used in San Diego require this annual inspection for SCBA carbon fiber tanks. However, and as dictated by common sense, they do take a quick look at the tank external each and every time they fill the tank. Its done at the time of checking the dates on manufacture and latest hydro.
​@jimqwerty123, I haven't seen this at all for SCBA tanks in the Southern CA area. I've had my CFFC tanks filled at least 25 times at various shops (before I bought my own compressor), and I've never heard of this documented annual VT. Maybe its a Louisiana thing?
​@skip-in-WV, yes there is a company that does the service life extension, but it costs about $300. IMHO, its much easier (and cheaper) just to buy a new (used) SCBA tank when it "expires".
​@keyman62421, totally agree. There hasn't been a single documented case of a CFFC failure due to other than accident or mishandling. And as you said, leaks are almost always from failed software (O-rings).

Their store so their rules no matter what but yes it is a law in ca, yearly visual.


John

https://www.luxfercylinders.com/img/rm_img/blog_img/454/attachments/1/luxcompinspectmanual.pdf

i called a local scuba shop and asked. The service manager gave me the link above. Carbon fiber SCBA tanks do not require the annual VI that AL or steel tanks are required to have. However, he said that many scuba shops will do the same inspection that is done to scuba tanks. In part, he said that scuba shops are not that familiar with carbon fiber tanks and may believe that the same procedures apply. He said that their shop recommends but does not require annual inspections on carbon fiber tanks. Also, he said that before he fills a carbon fiber tank he will always do a quick external VI for damage but does not remove protective boots. He said that they do free of charge annual interior and external VI for a couple of local fire departments. His comment was that firefighters are rough on tanks. Part of the job. 

He recommended that all air gunners read through the linked manual, especially parts 5 & 6. 

Hope this helps,

Jim

This is why I bought a compressor....

Its called a visual inspection once a yesr hydro every 5

Lots of commercial dive shops here in Louisiana serving the offshore Oil and Gas divers. When I bring my Ninja, they don't seem to bother past a quick visual inspection to protect their own people and equipment. I'd just find a different shop.

AA, I googled it up, tis the great norths law, surfing it up isnt hard.

And yes every county is different.


John