ASTM F2553-16(2020)

Standard Specification for Warnings on Refillable CO<inf>2</inf> Cylinders Used In the Sport of Paintball

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 This specification specifies the minimum warnings and instructions that are to be provided on the CO2 cylinder itself.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers warnings used on refillable CO2 cylinders with a threaded interface used in the sport of paintball.  
1.2 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 prior to use.  
1.3 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: 31-Mar-2020
• 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

• Replaces: ASTM F2553-16 - Standard Specification for Warnings on Refillable CO<inf>2</inf> Cylinders Used In the Sport of Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F3100-15(2023) - Standard Practice for Low Impact Paintball Field Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F1777-19(2023) - Standard Practice for Paintball Game Site Operation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F2856-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Transfilling and Safe Handling of Small CO<inf>2</inf> Cylinders for Use in Paintball
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F2748-19 - Standard Specification for Airsoft Guns
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Overview

ASTM F2553-16(2020) is the Standard Specification for Warnings on Refillable CO₂ Cylinders Used In the Sport of Paintball. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines the minimum warnings and instructions that must be clearly and durably marked on refillable CO₂ cylinders designed with a threaded interface for use in paintball sports. The aim is to enhance safety by providing critical information directly on the CO₂ cylinder, ensuring both proper handling and awareness of potential hazards.

Key Topics

• Signal Words and Symbols: All warnings must include a prominent signal word such as “WARNING” or “DANGER” in upper case sans serif letters with a safety alert symbol-an exclamation point inside an equilateral triangle.
• Hazard Awareness:
  • Clear notice that the CO₂ cylinder is an explosion hazard.
  • Warnings that improper use, filling, storage, or disposal may result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
• Handling & Maintenance Instructions:
  • Only trained personnel should fill or repair CO₂ cylinders and valves.
  • Never exceed the cylinder’s marked CO₂ capacity or expose it to temperatures above 130°F when pressurized.
  • Do not use caustic cleaners or modify the valve or cylinder.
  • If the valve starts to unscrew, users must stop, screw it back on and contact the manufacturer for repairs.
• Child and User Safety:
  • Cylinders must be kept out of reach of children without supervision.
  • If the cylinder is exposed to fire or a temperature above 350°F, it must be destroyed.
• Label Requirements:
  • Labels must not be removed or covered and should be large enough for legibility, using at least 8-point font size.
  • The markings must include manufacturer or distributor identification and the maximum CO₂ capacity.

Applications

ASTM F2553-16(2020) is widely used by:

• Paintball Equipment Manufacturers: To ensure refillable CO₂ cylinders comply with minimum safety labeling requirements, reducing liability and increasing product safety.
• Paintball Field Operators: For verification that all CO₂ cylinders in use are appropriately marked in accordance with industry standards.
• Retailers and Distributors: To confirm the CO₂ cylinders they supply meet safety regulations for labeling.
• Safety Inspectors and Regulatory Authorities: As a reference for enforcing safe handling instructions and potential conformity assessments.
• End Users (Players and Refill Technicians): Providing critical safety information directly on equipment to prevent accidents and misuse during both play and refilling operations.

Related Standards

• CGA Pamphlets P-1, C-6, G-6.8, AV-7: Referenced guidance for the correct filling and maintenance of compressed gas cylinders.
• ISO and ANSI Standards: For product safety labeling and markings on pressurized vessels.
• ASTM F1971: Standard specification related to paintball markers and equipment.
• WTO TBT Principles: Ensures alignment with globally recognized approaches for the development of international standards.

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Keywords: ASTM F2553-16(2020), paintball CO₂ cylinder warning, CO2 cylinder safety labeling, refillable CO2 cylinder, paintball equipment standard, paintball safety standard, CO₂ cylinder hazard warning, ASTM paintball standard

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:F2553 −16 (Reapproved 2020) An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Warnings on Refillable CO Cylinders Used In the Sport of
Paintball
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2553; 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.
1. Scope 4.1.3 Instructions to look at valve when removing the
cylinder.
1.1 This specification covers warnings used on refillable
4.1.4 Instructions to stop if valve starts to unscrew from the
CO cylinders with a threaded interface used in the sport of
cylinder.
paintball.
4.1.5 Instructions to screw it back on and immediately
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
contact the manufacturer for instructions for repair if the valve
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
does start to unscrew from the cylinder.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.6 Markings must include a graphic similar to that shown
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in Fig. 1.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 All CO cylinders used in the sport of paintball shall be
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- 2
prominently and durably marked to convey the following:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2.1 A warning that the cylinder is an explosion hazard.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2.2 Notice that improper use, filling, storage or disposal
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
may result in property damage, serious personal injury, or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
death.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.2.3 Noticethatthecylindermustbefilledonlybyproperly
trained personnel in accordance with CGAPamphlets P-l, C-6,
2. Significance and Use
G-6.8, and AV-7.
2.1 This specification specifies the minimum warnings and
4.2.4 Notice that valves must be installed or repaired only
instructions that are to be provided on the CO cylinder itself.
by trained personnel.
4.2.5 Instructions to not exceed the cylinder’s marked CO
3. Conformance
capacity.
3.1 PaintballCO cylindersshallnot,eitherbylabelorother
4.2.6 Notice to not expose to temperatures exceeding 130°F
means, indicate conformance with this specification unless, at
when pressurized.
the time of manufacture, they conform with all applicable
4.2.7 Notice to not use caustic cleaners or strippers.
requirements contained herein.
4.2.8 Instructions to not modify the valve or cylinder in any
way.
4. Product Marking
4.2.9 Notice to not remove or cover the label.
4.1 Refillable CO cylinders used in the sport of paintball
4.2.10 Notice that the cylinder must be destroyed if exposed
that utilize a pin valve, which is of a design such that if the
to fire or heated to a temperature exceeding 350°F.
value is unscrewed from the cylinder the CO gas under
4.2.11 Notice to keep cylinder out of reach of children
pressure is immediately released, shall be prominently and
without proper supervision.
durably marked to convey the following cautionary statement:
4.3 Markings must include the maximum CO capacity of
4.1.1 A signal word such as “WARNING” or “DANGER”.
the cylinder in a prominent manner.
4.1.2 A war
...