Hydrostatic Testing
for Gas Cylinders & Containers
Fire Systems Products offers hydrostatic pressure testing in-house at our Sydney premises. With our state-of-the-art, Standards approved test station we inspect, test and re-certify fire and gas cylinders and containers. We conduct hydrostatic testing for Sapphire, Novec-1230, FM-200, HFC-227ea, NAF S-III, HCFC Blend A, NAF P-III, HCFC Blend C, CO2, and other types of gaseous fire suppression cylinders.
Don’t be told your cylinders are out of date!
Fire Suppression Systems can put years back into your cylinders and containers. By conducting the mandatory 5-yearly or 10-yearly Hydrostatic Pressure Tests of gas suppression cylinders for strength and leaks.
Hydrostatic pressure testing involves
- Fire Systems Products staff member performing hydrostatic testing on a fire Extinguisher
- Filling the vessel with water
- Pressurising the vessel to the specified test pressure (higher than standard operating pressure).
- Testing Pressure tightness by shutting off the supply valve and observing the pressure over time. The location of leaks is usually easily identifiable.
- Measuring the permanent deformation of the container to evaluate vessel strength.
The most common method employed for testing cylinders and vessels is Hydrostatic testing. This test helps maintain the safety standards and durability of a container over time. Re-qualify pressure vessels every five or ten years (dependent on the type of cylinder) by conducting further hydrostatic pressure tests.
In addition, testing pressure vessels for the transport and storage of gases is essential. Cylinders can suffer rapid decompression or “explosion” if they fail under pressure. Safety caps are a must whenever relocating a pressure vessel. Rapid decompression or explosion of the container can occur should the valve break off. The consequences of which can be considerable, including severe damage to people and property.
Compliance
Ensure your gaseous fire suppression system is compliant and, more importantly, safe for use. If your company is currently conducting the maintenance of gaseous fire suppression systems. Ensure your technicians know when the hydrostatic pressure tests are due and contact us for a Hydrostatic Pressure Test quote.
We can refurbish your gas suppression cylinders and containers, or we can provide exchange Inergen 200 bar cylinders, exchange Inergen 150 bar cylinders, exchange iFlow 300 bar cylinders, exchange FM-200 cylinders, exchange NAF S-III cylinders, exchange NAF P-III cylinders, exchange Sapphire Novec-1230 cylinders, exchange CO2 Cylinders Australia wide.
Hydrostatic Testing FAQs
Why is the testing of pressure vessels with water safer than testing with air?
In Short, it is safer to use water, as it doesn’t compress very well because it is exceptionally dense compared to air. This density means that after water fills a vessel, the amount of fluid required to reach test pressure is minimal compared to air. When pressurising air, a large quantity of air is necessary to get the system up to testing pressure. If a leak occurs whilst under test pressures, a minimal amount of water escapes compared to air. In the case of 300 bar, that is 300 times the air that will typically fill the vessel without a valve at sea level. Exerting the equivalent amount of initial force with water and air under pressure. However, that force drops almost instantly with water, as the volume required to return to nominal pressure is minimal compared to air.
How often is hydrostatic pressure testing of fire extinguishing cylinders required?
Hydrostatic testing of fire suppression and fire extinguishing cylinders is mandatory every 5 or 10 years. Testing pressure cylinders for the transport and storage of gases is critical because such containers can explode (or rapidly decompress) if they fail under pressure.
Hydrostatic pressure testing standards
Fire Systems Products operate an Australian Standards (AS2337) approved test station within our Sydney premises to inspect, test, and re-certify fire and gas suppression cylinders and vessels.
Make certain your gaseous fire suppression system is compliant and, more importantly, safe for use. Ensure your technicians know when the hydrostatic pressure tests are due, and contact Fire Systems Products to book your next hydrostatic test.