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© Copyright 2012 Badger Fire Protection
Hydrostatic Test Requirements
Hydrostatic testing is the integrity pressure testing method of a vessel utilizing a liquid compression me-
dium Badger carbon dioxide extinguisher cylinders and hose assemblies require hydrostatic testing at
5 year periodic intervals or any time the integrity of the vessel is questioned from any visually observed
condition
Visual cylinder examinations and hydrostatic testing should be performed in accordance with NFPA 10
and D O T CFR-49 part 180 209 recommendations
Evidence of conditions such as exposure to fire or heat, thread damage, thread wear, corrosion, cylinder
repairs or physical damage as detailed within NFPA 10, require the extinguisher cylinder to be removed
from service and at the owner’s direction, disposed of in the proper manner
Hydrostatic testing should only be performed by those persons trained in the appropriate testing proce-
dures/safeguards and having the proper testing equipment, adapters, facilities, documents and infor-
mation
Some Badger hydrostatic test recommendations:
• Carbon dioxide cylinder safety relief assemblies should be replaced every 5 years, when hydrostatic
testing the cylinder A new Badger 3 part safety assembly (P/N-24643) should be installed washer first,
then the disc (printed side outward) and then the nut The new safety assembly must have the proper
amount of torque between 30 to 35 foot-pounds Never resue safety relief components and always
ensure the valve body seating surface is free of any damage or contamination prior to installation of
new assemblies
• Extinguisher cylinders should be replaced any time the pressure vessel has been weakened due to cor-
rosion, cuts, dents, digs, etc and be properly disposed in accordance with CGA pamphlet C-2
• Only water be used as the hydro-test medium and that the vessel then be flushed clean, thoroughly
dried and visually re-examined after testing
• The cylinder valve assembly should be removed prior to hydrostatic testing of the cylinder.
• The hydrostatic test marking methods should only utilize the proper type of record labels per
NFPA-10 and CFR-49 stamping requirements
• Never stamp or etch unauthorized markings onto the cylinder.
• Any time a fire extinguisher is known to have contained agents, additives or mediums other than that
specified on the nameplate, it should be removed from service and at the owner’s direction, disposed
of in the proper manner
• No repairs to the cylinder are permitted. If such cylinder repairs are observed, the extinguisher should
be removed from service and at the owner’s direction, disposed of in the proper manner
• Badger recommends cylinder valve installations be properly torqued to 150 foot punds.
• Installation of new cylinder valve assemblies require the new fully charged cylinder weight be prop-
erly stamped on to the side of the new valve
• Installation of siphon tubes into valve assembly should be in accordance with Badger product bulletin
P-224 instructions
Hydrostatic Re-Test Data:
Component Description Periodic Test Interval
Test Pressure
Agent cylinders 3A or 3AA
5 years per D O T
3000 PSI
Agent hose assembly
5 years (same as agent cylinder)
1250 PSI
Agent manifold hose assembly
5 years (same as agent cylinder)
1250 PSI
