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CONTACT
HYDROSTATIC TESTING AND
REQUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS Jerry Cable
Accessory Tech Rep
MARCH 2020 Lincoln, NE (LNK)
 +1 402.479.8112 (tel: +1
(/intelligence/2020/March)
402.479.8112 )
20200302_095308 Hydrostatic testing is often required at certain intervals for aircraft
oxygen cylinders, fire extinguishers and pneumatic bottles. The interval EMAIL
TO:JERRY.CABLE@DUNCANAVIATION.C
at which these are due and what is to be done is sometimes confusing.

Some aircraft maintenance schedules require hydrostatic testing at five

years while others at 10 years, and some reference all the back to the
DOT (Department Of Transportation) specification for the interval.

PLEASE NOTE: While these cylinders, extinguishers, and bottles are

installed on the aircraft, the aircraft schedule takes precedence over the
DOT requirements.

Valve Inspection

It’s not only important to know when these are due but also what is to be
done. Many units have valves attached that also require maintenance to
be performed during the hydrostatic test. This could be anything from a function test up to a complete overhaul.
To comply with the scheduled task, all of the requirements must be met.

DOT Certified and FAA Certified

There are a lot of DOT-Certified hydrostatic testing facilities but not all of them are FAA-Certified 145 repair
stations. Since units installed on an aircraft are both FAA-Certified as well as DOT certified, it is best to use a
vendor that has both certifications, like Duncan Aviation. Be sure to communicate with your chosen vendor what
your expectations are and what maintenance is required.

Paperwork

When you receive your units back, double check the paperwork that is returned to ensure all tasks were
completed. At a minimum you should receive an FAA 8130-3 for the assembly and a DOT Certificate of
Conformance for the hydrostatic test. The Hydrostatic test is covered by 49 CFR and not 14 CFR; there for it
should not be documented on FAA 8130-3. In addition, you may have an 8130-3 for the valves or other
associated equipment requiring maintenance.

If the aircraft scheduled maintenance does not list an interval for Hydrostatic test, the 49 CFR 180.209 details
the DOT required interval.

Specification under which Minimum test pressure Requalification period

cylinder was made (psig)2 (years)

DOT 3 3000 psig 5

 5/3 times service pressure, except
5, 10, or 12 (see §180.209(b), (e),
DOT 3A, 3AA noncorrosive service
(f), (h), and (j).
(see §180.209(g))

5, 10 or 12 (see §180.209(e), (j)

DOT 3AL 5/3 times service pressure
and §180.209(m)3).

DOT 3AX, 3AAX 5/3 times service pressure 5, 10 (see §180.209(e).

2 times service pressure

3B, 3BN 5 or 10 (see §180.209(e), (f)).
(see §180.209(g))

3E Test not required.

3 (see §§180.209(k) and

3HT 5/3 times service pressure
180.213(c)).

3T 5/3 times service pressure 5

2 times service pressure

4AA480 5 or 10 (see §180.209(e) or (h)).
(see §180.209(g))

2 times service pressure, except

5, 10, or 12 (see §180.209(e), (f),
4B, 4BA, 4BW, 4B-240ET non-corrosive service
and (j)).
(see §180.209(g))

4D, 4DA, 4DS 2 times service 5

2 times service pressure, except

DOT 4E 5 or 10 (see §180.209(e)).
non-corrosive (see §180.209(g))

4L Test not required.

8, 8AL 10 or 20 (see §180.209(i)).

Exemption or special permit See current exemption or special See current exemption or special
cylinder permit permit.

Foreign cylinder
As marked on cylinder, but not less
(see §173.301(j) of this 5 (see §§180.209(l) and 180.213(d)
than 5/3 of any service or working
subchapter for restrictions on (2)).
pressure marking
use)

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