ASTM F2773-13(2021)

Standard Practice for Transfilling Compressed Air or Nitrogen and Safe Handling of Small Paintball Cylinders

ABSTRACT
This practice details the basic procedures for the safe handling and transfilling of small (not bulk) paintball compressed air cylinders commonly used with a paintball marker for propulsion of a paintball. It does not address issues related to the transfilling, storage, and handling of supply cylinders that may be used in transfilling smaller cylinders. Included herein are general safety considerations, requirements for fill stations, and compressed air/nitrogen fill procedures for the pressure cylinder transfilling method most commonly used by paintball fields or store operators, or both.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to satisfy the demand for information on the basic procedures for the safe handling and transfilling of small (not bulk) paintball compressed air cylinders commonly used with a paintball marker for propulsion of a paintball. This standard does not address issues dealing with the transfilling, storage, and handling of supply cylinders that may be used in transfilling smaller cylinders.  
1.2 The compressed air fill procedures are written for the pressure cylinder transfilling method most commonly used by paintball field or store operators, or both.  
1.3 This document should not be confused with federal, state, provincial, or municipal specifications or regulations; insurance requirements; or national safety codes.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations, such as and not limited to DOT, CGA, and OSHA, prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2021
• ICS: 23.020.30 - Pressure vessels, gas cylinders
• ICS: 97.220.01 - Sports equipment and facilities in general
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.24 - Paintball and Equipment

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F2030-11(2016) - Standard Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk Assemblies
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2016
• Refers: ASTM F1979-10(2014) - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM F2272-13 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM F2272-12 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2272-11 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2011
• Refers: ASTM F2030-11 - Standard Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk Assemblies
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM F1979-10 - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Refers: ASTM F2272-10 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Refers: ASTM F2272-09 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM F1979-09 - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM F2030-08 - Standard Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk Assemblies
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F2272-08 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2008
• Refers: ASTM F1979-04 - Standard Specification for Paintballs Used in the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM F2272-03 - Standard Specification for Paintball Markers (Limited Modes)
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Refers: ASTM F2030-00 - Standard Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk Assemblies
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2000

Overview

ASTM F2773-13(2021), Standard Practice for Transfilling Compressed Air or Nitrogen and Safe Handling of Small Paintball Cylinders, provides essential guidelines for the safe handling and transfilling of small compressed air cylinders used in paintball markers. This practice is designed to ensure the safety of operators and users during the filling process, focusing primarily on transfilling from supply cylinders to smaller, portable cylinders, as commonly conducted at paintball fields and retail stores.

This standard addresses proper operational procedures, equipment requirements, and routine safety inspections. By adhering to these best practices, organizations and individuals can help prevent accidents, maintain compliance, and extend the service life of paintball air cylinders.

Key Topics

• Transfilling Procedures: Step-by-step requirements for safely transferring compressed air or nitrogen from supply to paintball cylinders, including attachment, filling, and disconnecting processes.
• Cylinder Inspection: Visual and manual inspections of paintball cylinders before filling, including checks for corrosion, dents, test dates, burst disks, and external damage.
• Fill Station Requirements: Specifications for equipment used in transfilling, including pressure ratings, safety markings, and manufacturer instructions.
• Safety Precautions: Obligations such as wearing eye protection, confirming proper ventilation, and securing all cylinders to prevent accidents.
• Regulatory Considerations: Reminders regarding operator responsibility to comply with relevant national or local regulations (e.g., DOT, CGA, OSHA).
• Labeling and Identification: Guidance on interpreting cylinder markings, hydrostatic test dates, and working pressures.

Applications

• Paintball Fields and Stores: This standard is especially relevant for staff at paintball fields, retail stores, and maintenance facilities that regularly fill small compressed gas cylinders. By following these procedures, businesses minimize injury risk and liability.
• Paintball Marker Owners: Individual operators and hobbyists using and refilling personal paintball air tanks benefit from understanding proper handling, maintenance, and inspection methods.
• Training and Compliance: The document provides a basis for safety training and can be referenced in standard operating procedures, safety manuals, and regulatory compliance programs for compressed gas handling.
• Equipment Manufacturers and Distributors: Producers and suppliers of paintball fill stations and cylinders leverage these guidelines to ensure their products meet industry-recognized safety and operation standards.
• Inspection and Certification: Third-party inspectors and maintenance providers use these requirements as a foundation for evaluating the suitability of paintball cylinders for continued use.

Related Standards

• ASTM F1979: Specification for projectiles used in paintball, ensuring consistency and safety of paintball ammunition.
• ASTM F2030: Specification for paintball cylinder burst disk assemblies, detailing pressure relief device requirements.
• ASTM F2272: Specification for paintball markers, providing guidance on marker construction and safety.
• CGA C-6.1: Compressed Gas Association’s standards for the visual inspection of high-pressure aluminum compressed gas cylinders.
• 49 CFR Parts 100-185: U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for hazardous materials, referencing compressed gas cylinder handling and qualifications.

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM F2773-13(2021) ensures the safe, consistent, and regulatory-compliant operation of compressed air transfilling for paintball applications. By following this standard, organizations and individuals significantly reduce the risks associated with compressed gas handling, maintain functional and reliable equipment, and promote a safer paintball environment. Adherence supports operational excellence, legal compliance, and responsible use of pressurized paintball cylinders.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F2773 −13 (Reapproved 2021) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Transfilling Compressed Air or Nitrogen and Safe Handling
of Small Paintball Cylinders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2773; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This standard is intended to provide basic procedures for the safe handling and transfilling of small
(not bulk) paintball compressed air cylinders commonly used with a paintball marker for propulsion
of a paintball.
This practice is written within the current state-of-the-art of transfilling compressed gas technology.
The intent is to revise this specification whenever substantive information becomes available which
justifies revising existing requirements or adding new requirements.
1. Scope ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This practice is intended to satisfy the demand for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
information on the basic procedures for the safe handling and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
transfilling of small (not bulk) paintball compressed air cylin-
ders commonly used with a paintball marker for propulsion of
2. Referenced Documents
a paintball. This standard does not address issues dealing with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the transfilling, storage, and handling of supply cylinders that
F1979 Specification for Projectiles Used in the Sport of
may be used in transfilling smaller cylinders.
Paintball
1.2 The compressed air fill procedures are written for the
F2030 Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk As-
pressure cylinder transfilling method most commonly used by
semblies
paintball field or store operators, or both.
F2272 Specification for Paintball Markers
1.3 This document should not be confused with federal,
2.2 CGA Standards:
state, provincial, or municipal specifications or regulations;
CGA C-6.1 Standards for visual inspection of high pressure
insurance requirements; or national safety codes.
aluminum compressed gas cylinders
CGAC-6.2 Guidelines for visual inspection and requalifica-
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
tion of fiber reinforced high pressure cylinders
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
2.3 Federal Standards:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
CFR 49 Parts 100 to 185
and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 blow-down valve, n—valve which is part of a fill
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
station assembly, and which is intended to vent gas from the
minetheapplicabilityofregulatorylimitations,such asandnot
paintball cylinder being filled.
limited to DOT, CGA, and OSHA, prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports theASTM website.
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Available from Compressed Gas Association (CGA), 4221 Walney Rd., 5th
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment. Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151-2923, http://www.cganet.com.Available from
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2021.PublishedJuly2021.Originallyapproved AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F2773 – 13 (2017). DOI: 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
10.1520/F2773-13R21. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2773−13 (2021)
3.1.2 fill station, n—device designed to attach to a supply 6.3.1.1 An example of an aluminum cylinder shoulder
cylinderandtoapaintballcylinderwhichfacilitatestransfilling stamping:
the paintball cylinder.
3.1.3 paintball, n—spherical ball, commonly with a diam-
eter of 0.68 in. (17.3 mm), comprised of a shell and a fill,
conformingtoSpecificationF1979anddesignedtobeexpelled
from a paintball marker conforming to Specification F2272.
6.3.1.2 DOT – 3AL 3000 M4625 04^03 A051391
The cylinder neck layline translates as follows:
4. General Considerations
DOT Department of Transportation (a Federal Agency)
4.1 Persons, who are transfilling compressed air, should be 3AL The specification standard the cylinder conforms to
3000 The working pressure rating of the cylinder
trained in the hazards associated with compressed air or
M4625 The manufacturer’s name or number of the cylinder
nitrogen, or both.
04^03 The hydrostatic test date of the cylinder.
The first two digits are the month.
4.2 Always wear eye protection while filling cylinders.
The ^ is the testing agency mark.
The last two digits are the year.
4.3 Always have any required MSDS at the location that the
The above date would be valid to use until April 1,
filling takes place.
2008.
A051391 The serial number of the tank.
4.4 Always read and understand all fill station instructions.
NOTE 1—Re-qualification period for cylinders is typically five (5) years
4.5 Ensure that there is proper ventilation in the filling area.
for 3 AL aluminum cylinders.
4.6 The receiving cylinder (paintball cylinder) must be of a
(1) An example of a composite wrapped tank label:
refillable type (that is, not disposable) and pressure rating that
it can safely hold stamped or marked on the cylinder.
4.7 Supply cylinders must be secured and supported, such
asfastenedtoawallorsimilarimmovablestructure(thatis,not
free standing).
5. Fill Stations
5.1 Fill stations and related equipment should be rated the
same as the supply tank.
5.2 Fill stations should be used for the purpose of transfill-
ing compressed air or nitrogen, or both, for the paintball
industry only.
5.3 Fill stations shall be supplied with instructions by the
The label translates as follows:
manufacturer or distributor of the product.
68cu Cylinder size in cubic inches
5.4 Fill stations should be marked or tagged with safety TC-3FCM-207 Transport Canada approval
DOT Department of Transportation
warnings.
E9634 Exemption number
5.4.1 Read owners manual before using.
3000 Cylinder working pressure
DK 117512 The serial number of the tank
5.4.2 Use only with compressed air or nitrogen.
LUXFER Cylinder manufacturer
5.4.3 Do not use for oxygen.
5 ^ 07 The hydrostatic test date of the cylinder
5.4.4 Close bulk tank valve when not in use.
The first two digits are the month
The ^ is the testing agency mark
5.4.5 Vent down system.
The last two digits are the year
5.4.6 Never add or introduce oil to the fill station, cylinder,
The above date would be valid to use until
or regulator/valve.
May 1, 2010
(2) After hydrostatic testing, the retest date will look like
6. Cylinder Inspection
this:
6.1 Ensure that the regulator is properly attached to the
cylinder.
6.2 Ensure that the regulator is in good, serviceable condi-
tion.
6.2.1 Ensure that the proper cylinder safety burst disk is
installed correctly.
6.3 Visually inspect the cylinder condition before each fill.
6.3.1 Cylinders must be stamped or labeled with a DOT
(Department of Transportation) or potentially TC (Transport
Canada) mark working pressure, manufacturer’s code or name,
Label attached to bottle with epoxy
serial number, and h
...