Breathing Air Cylinders Maintenance
Maintaining a steady supply of clean breathing air is a necessity for fire departments and industrial dive teams. We offer a full range of inventory and upkeep services to make sure your pressurized cylinders are always safe and ready to go.
Equipment Ordering
We can provide both new and refurbished breathing air cylinders to fit your department’s specific budget. Whether you’re looking for the latest lightweight models or cost-effective, certified pre-owned options, we can special order equipment that meets the highest quality standards.
Capacity and Identification
Every cylinder is engineered to hold a set volume of air, which is strictly regulated for safety. This capacity is dictated by the DOT number stamped or labeled on the bottle.
- Locating the DOT number. The placement of this identification varies depending on the manufacturer, but it’s the primary reference for determining the maximum pressure and volume the cylinder can handle.
- Standardized pressure. Following these markings ensures we never over-pressurize a tank during the refilling process.
Testing and Longevity
The lifespan and safety of a cylinder are determined by its construction material and its maintenance history.
- Five-year hydrostatic testing. To make sure the structural integrity of the bottle remains intact, all breathing air cylinders must undergo hydrostatic testing every five years. This involves a pressure test to check for any weakening in the cylinder walls.
- Fiberglass wrapped cylinders. These lightweight tanks typically have a 15-year service life. Once they reach this age, they are generally retired from service.
- Life extension through MAE. Your carbon-wrapped, composite cylinder’s life may be able to be extended beyond the 15-year mark using Modal Acoustic Emission (MAE) if it passes visual inspection. This high-tech, non-destructive testing method monitors sound waves within the material to detect microscopic flaws, allowing for a safe recertification that will give the cylinders an extra 15 years of life.
Why Choose B-Lann Equipment for Refill Services?
- Certified refurbishing. Our refurbished stock undergoes rigorous testing to make sure it performs as well as new equipment
- Strategic life extension. MAE technology is used to help you avoid the high cost of total replacement when possible.
- Accurate filling. Our refill technicians verify all DOT markings to ensure every bottle is filled to its precise specification.