USED SCBA TANKS.

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Extended Life SCBA Tanks (30 year) Most SCBA EL tanks started coming out in the USA around 2008

Here is a doc I found from MSI that I had to explain how 30 year bottles work.

RE: 30 Year Cylinders Dear Valued Channel Partners, This letter is to clarify some potential confusion in the market place regarding the life expectancy of SCBA cylinders. It has come to our attention that Scott Safety recently introduced the Scott Extended Life (EL) 30-Year Life Cylinder, which claims to provide for up to a thirty year life expectancy. That life expectancy, however, is currently not without the need for retesting and re-approval during the life of the cylinder. Specifically, the extended life cylinders have been approved by the DOT under Special Permit DOT-SP 14232. Through this process, the cylinder is approved to a fifteen year life cycle. In year fifteen, the cylinder is required to pass additional testing to ensure the integrity of the cylinder. If the cylinder passes this required test, it can remain in service for an additional fifteen years. Luxfer Gas Cylinders, the current manufacturer of the thirty year cylinder, informs us that to date, no cylinder manufactured under DOT-SP 14232 has been approved for service life longer than fifteen years. This is due to the fact that these cylinders have not yet reached the fifteen year mark where their service life will be eligible for extension. Simply put, although these cylinders have been designed to exceed the fifteen year life cycle, approval for use beyond the initial fifteen years will be dependent upon the results of additional testing that is yet to be conducted. Additionally, we note that the extended life cylinders are heavier than those offered by MSA. MSA continues to provide lightweight (up to 2.8lbs or 21.7% lighter than the EL 30) field proven carbon cylinders. These cylinders are designed to withstand the rigorous firefighting environment faced each day, while reducing the weight burden and overall fatigue experienced by the firefighter. The acquisition cost of these extended life cylinders can be over 20% more than traditional the carbon-fiber wrapped cylinders



We hope that this clarifies any misperceptions or confusion with respect to the life cycle of SCBA cylinders. Exceeding our customers’ expectations remains a priority for MSA and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to expand our product offering. Thank you for your continued support. Should you have any further questions, comments, or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Shane Bray Product Manager - SCBA



Luxfer brought them to the US in 2008

2008 – Introduction of three new composite cylinder ranges to the USA:LCX–SL® – Super-Lightweight cylinders, the lightest carbon composite cylinders for SCBA and emergency use. LCX–XD® – Carbon cylinders with reinforced domes for extra damage resistance in extreme duty.LCX–EL® – Carbon cylinders designed for service life of up to 30 years.




https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/fire-breathing-apparatus/fire-scba/articles/scott-safety-announces-the-scott-extended-life-30-year-cylinder-lwIPucpQYFgVzC6b/



https://www.pyramydair.com/life-extended-carbon-fiber-tanks



https://forums.firehouse.com/forum/firefighting/firefighters-forum/2075030-dot-phmsa-allows-scba-bottle-life-extension-via-sp-16320

 
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This has been asked here before. Does anyone have first hand knowledge or other reliable source info about any DOT cert. CF SCBA tank failures (delamination, explosion or other) occurring during a 4500psi fill? Ever? I have not and feel certain that any such report did surface it would be THE hot topic on this forum forever. Uj



Not one single instance on record. Not ever from the very tortuous environment of fire Fighting. None! If one does let go, it vents, not explodes. But usually simply leaks. 



Knife
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I spent 25 years in the fire service, all the incidents reported in the fire service were accident related, not tank related. Pierced tanks, things falling on tanks, crushed tanks, dropped tanks valves break off. Valves broken off are the worst of it tanks with air rushing out do have a rocket effect. I have never heard of a report where a tank exploded. Externally ruptured tanks, just rush air out through the rupture, they do not fragment. These tanks are exceptionally tough and well designed not to explode. Our cascade systems still however are caged or sealed chambers. Eye protection when working with any tool should be used, and air is no exception.
 
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I was able to find a 30 minute SCBA bottle on e-Bay for $70. It still has a 1 1/2 years of life left and a Hydro test due next year. As I don’t plan on filling much past 3,000 psig I will have it tested next year and consider it good to go. The bottles go through a lot more abuse on a fire department than it will get filling air guns in the shop. 
 
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I’ve got 5 tanks, varying from expired to 3 years left on hydro. I don’t lose any sleep filling my tanks.

Do your research like was posted above and you will find that euro tanks are the same and considered usable for 30 years. The fact that we do 15 years is just to sell more tanks and force bureaucracy to spend more money. 

You can find cheap tanks for sale on eBay that are in current hydro if you look hard enough.
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+1 ancientsword . i pick em up with 5/7 years left and fire up the yong heng. Works for me.
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I’ve got 5 tanks, varying from expired to 3 years left on hydro. I don’t lose any sleep filling my tanks.

Do your research like was posted above and you will find that euro tanks are the same and considered usable for 30 years. The fact that we do 15 years is just to sell more tanks and force bureaucracy to spend more money. 

You can find cheap tanks for sale on eBay that are in current hydro if you look hard enough.
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Most definitely NOT the same tanks. Just look at the DOT 15yr tanks vs the DOT 30rs tanks. YES they have 30yr DOT tanks and they are actually a good deal if you are planning to keep them that long. A less then 50% increase in price for a 100% increase in lifespan (on the site I checked)

Here is the DOT permit -

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/approvals-and-permits/hazmat/file-serve/offer/SP13583.pdf/offerserver/SP13583

Here is one of the 30yr tanks at - $942 (vs $742 for the 15yr 45min)

https://firesafetyplus.com/Worthington30YearLifeSCBACylinder.aspx

As to the difference? Look at the below link showing the 15yr 45min tank weighing 9.3lb (or 9.75 depending on model)

http://www.firesafetyplus.com/pdf/sci/Standard%20Cylinder%20(1).pdf

vs the 30yr tank weighing 11lbs - over 10% increase in weight.

http://www.firesafetyplus.com/pdf/sci/30yrCylinder.pdf
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FYI - Dalmatian Fire also sells generic new SCBA tanks: https://dalmatianfire.com/new-cobham-carbon-fiber-cylinders/. $650 for 45/4500
 
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I want to thank everyone that has given info of this subject. What I have gotten out of this so far is that the used SCBA tanks are kind of a at your own risk thing. $600 + for a new tank are not in my budget right now, so I will live with charging off the compressor for now. Again thanks to all for your input. If any one else has some to say please do so.
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Check out Dalmatian Fire and their refurbished SCBA tanks. Price point is competitive with eBay given their refurbished condition and the Dalmatian 10-yr warranty.
 
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