Hydrostatic Testing and Certification

Hydrostatic testing evaluates whether a paintball cylinder meets regulatory requirements for continued use under high pressure conditions. During the test, the cylinder is filled with water and pressurized beyond its rated working level while permanent expansion is measured. Cylinders that remain within prescribed deformation limits are requalified and receive updated test markings or labels. Those that exceed limits are removed from service.

Testing intervals vary by construction material and certification code. Carbon fiber composite cylinders commonly require testing at three or five year intervals depending on model specifications, while standard aluminum cylinders require five year intervals. Many composite cylinders include a fixed service life of approximately 15 years, after which they cannot be recertified under DOT or TC rules.

Hydrostatic testing is embedded within the broader framework of compressed gas cylinder regulation and is a defining component of the certification lifecycle for paintball air systems.