Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing
Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing
Sovereign Extinguishing offer 10-year Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing with a time saving service exchange programme.
Compressed gas cylinders require testing every 10 years to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose. After 10 years of use, all cylinders used in fire suppression, including FM-200, 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid, Inert Gas and even C02, must be hydrostatically tested.
Sovereign Extinguishing offer service and maintenance for Fire Suppression Systems across the UK regardless of original installer or service provider.
How Does Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing Work?
Hydrostatic testing involves the filling of cylinders with water and placing the filled cylinders into a water filled pressure chamber. This causes the water pressure inside the cylinder to increase and the cylinder to subsequently expand. This is called Hydrostatic Testing.
Cylinder expansion of less than 5% is within regulation limit and allows for recertification. Compliant cylinders are dried out, stamped with certification and dated with test details. The cylinder is then reconditioned and either a refurbished or new valve is fitted.
What are the Standards for Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing?
Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing is mandatory and must be performed every 10 years according to Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999. Associated standards also include BS EN 1968:2002 and the current FIA guidelines.
Hydrostatic Testing must be undertaken by individuals or companies accredited to EN ISO 17020.
How Often Should You Test Cylinders?
Compressed gas cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every 10 years. Cylinders tested and not re-certified must be taken out of use and destroyed.
Sovereign Extinguishing Cylinder Exchange
The testing of cylinders can be a disruptive process, as the cylinders must be taken away, discharged, tested, recharged and redelivered onsite. This process is not only costly in money, but time, possibly leaving a Fire Suppression System out of action for two weeks or more.
Therefore, Sovereign Extinguishing offer a service exchange programme. Our customers ‘exchange’ their cylinders for an equivalent refurbished one to save time and money. We can complete the process with minimum inconvenience, with downtime reduced from weeks to just a few hours.
All we require is a photograph of the cylinder valve, the label, and the height of the cylinder outlet from the floor. From there, our team handle the whole process and ensure that your Fire Suppression System maintains compliance for your safety.
