Advisory about Carbon Fiber Cylinders

Safety Advisory Carbon Fiber Filament Cylinders!

Paintball Parks, Paintball Fields, Paintball Stores won't refill these Carbon Fiber Cylinders from Global Composites International, Inc. (GCI), Ontario, CA for safety reasons!

[Federal Register: August 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 155)]
[Notices]
[Page 47273-47274]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12au05-143]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA-2005-20104 (Notice No. 05-06)]
Safety Advisory: Manufacture, Marking, and Sale of Substandard Compressed Gas Cylinders
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Safety advisory notice.
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SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that PHMSA and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are investigating the manufacture, marking, and sale of high pressure DOT exemption cylinders made and/or distributed by Global Composites International, Inc. (GCI), Ontario, CA. PHMSA and the OIG have evidence that suggests GCI manufactured, marked,
certified, and sold an undetermined number of high-pressure DOT exemption carbon fiber filament cylinders when the cylinders had not been manufactured in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), DOT-E 12695, and the design qualification standards incorporated into the exemption. The evidence suggests that some of these cylinders were not wrapped with a sufficient number of carbon fiber layers to insure their structural integrity. In addition, the evidence suggests that many of these cylinders did not undergo the complete series of safety tests and inspections required by the HMR and may not possess the structural integrity to safely contain its contents under pressure during normal transportation and use. Extensive property
damage, serious personal injury, or death could result from rupture of a cylinder.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond L. LaMagdelaine, Chief Special Investigations, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 7th Street SW., Room 7104, Washington DC, 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-4700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through its investigation, PHMSA and the OIG believe that GCI manufactured, marked, certified and sold an undetermined number of high-pressure carbon fiber wrapped cylinders owned by commercial entities and the private consumer. Among others, we believe many of these may be in use by paint ball enthusiasts. DOT recommends that any person possessing a cylinder manufactured by Global Composites International, Inc. (GCI) and marked with exemption number DOT-E 12695 take the cylinder to a qualified refilling station and have the pressure relieved from the cylinder. The cylinder is no longer authorized for use. Refilling stations and cylinder requalification facilities are advised that DOT-E 12695 has been suspended and these cylinders may not be refilled or requalified for service.

This safety advisory covers all high-pressure DOT exemption cylinders manufactured by Global Composites International, Inc. and marked with DOT exemption number DOT-E 12695

[[Page 47274]]

These cylinders may pose a safety risk to the public and should be considered unsafe for use in hazardous materials service. Furthermore, cylinders described in this safety advisory should not be filled with a
hazardous material.

Issued in Washington, DC on August, 2005.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 05-16022 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

Paintball Cylinder Safety Warning

March 24, 2004
Based on its investigation of two deaths caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) canisters flying off paintball guns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a new warning.

Paintball gun users should be advised that the brass or nickel-plated valve that connects directly to the canister must not be unscrewed from the canister when removing the canister assembly from a paintball gun. This valve must stay secured and rotate with the CO2 canister.

In both of the deaths investigated by CPSC, the brass valve unscrewed from the canister, turning the pressurized canister into a deadly projectile.

In June 2003, a 15-year-old boy died after being struck in the head by a paintball CO2 canister as he was removing the canister from the gun. In February 2004, a female bystander was killed by a CO2 canister that was expelled as someone else was removing the canister from a paintball gun. While these investigations are not complete, CPSC is issuing this new safety warning to help people avoid the hazard.

“We are very concerned about the recent deaths associated with paintball gun canisters,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “We are actively investigating these cases. Even though our investigation is not complete, we believe it is urgent to provide this new safety message about the valve detaching from the canister while unscrewing it from the paintball gun.”

CPSC also recommends that people make sure that any modifications to the paintball gun or the CO2 canister are done properly. For example, installing anti-siphon tubes involves removing and re- installing the canister valve. It is critical that the valve be re- installed with the appropriate adhesive and the proper torque.

Make sure the brass or nickel-plated canister valve is securely attached to the canister, rotates with the canister, and does not unscrew from the canister.
The canister assembly should unscrew from the paintball gun in about three or four full turns; if you finish the 4th full turn and the canister is not unscrewed from the gun, stop! Take it to a professional.
Some people have used paint or nail polish to mark the brass valve and the CO2 canister so they can see that the valve and the canister rotate together while being removed from the gun