Cylinder Exchange

Fire suppression systems utilise high-pressure vessels which, unfortunately, may develop a leak within their service life, or may become due for regulatory Hydrostatic testing 10-year Testing. Typically, the cylinder, or bank of cylinders, will require a Service Exchange.

A Service Exchange is part of a cylinder’s life-cycle process. 

This process starts at the end of the 10-year point from the manufacturer’s stamped date on the cylinder and is typically identified during the Service of the system by an Engineer. At this point, the cylinder will be replaced with a Service Exchange cylinder and taken away for 10-year testing. Once tested, the cylinder will be stored until ready for use.

Once a cylinder becomes due for Service Exchange, an Engineer will take specific details on the cylinder(s) on site. This will typically consist of:

• System manufacturer
• Cylinder volume (WC)
• Agent type
• Agent fill (typically only required for HFC-227ea and NOVEC 1230)
• System charge pressure
• Cylinder outlet height

Based on the supplied information, a stock cylinder is chosen, the system manufacturer’s control valve is fitted, it is then filled with agent and charged to pressure with Nitrogen gas. After being leak tested, data and manufacturer labels are applied. The cylinder is then ready for shipment.

The Service Exchange cylinder(s) reaches the customer’s site and are exchanged for those that require replacement by a Suppression Engineer. The removed cylinders are shipped back to the supplier and the whole ‘life-cycle’ process is repeated.

On rare occasions, the cylinder(s) may be of a unique type, or stocks on a particular manufacturer may be low, and it may be necessary to remove the cylinder(s) for testing and refill before being returned to site and re-fitted. If this is the case, this will be discussed with site before being conducted and is a ‘last resort’ action – it is always the preference to obtain Service Exchange cylinders and conduct exchange works, over taking cylinders away for return, as this reduce the chance of any down-time of the suppression system for the customer.

In addition to the cylinder(s) being Service Exchanged, actuation devices are typically exchanged at the 10-year point where a manufacturer has recommended this action. Deployment and inter-connection hoses will also be exchanged, dependent upon their condition, as noted by the Service Engineer.

Here to Help

Cannon Fire works closely with a number of Service Exchange cylinder suppliers and all of its Engineers are trained in the safe handling of pressurized cylinders and their associated systems. Please feel free to contact us if you require further advice.