What is the service life of an SCBA cylinder?

• A. 15 years
• B. 5 years
• C. 10 years
• D. 20 years

Answer: (A)

The service life is the maximum safe period a SCBA cylinder can be used before retirement due to aging of the materials. For most fire-service cylinders, that service life is 15 years from the date of manufacture. This retirement age is separate from hydrostatic testing, which is typically required every 5 years to check cylinder integrity; a cylinder can pass tests but still reach its 15-year limit. Once the 15-year mark is reached, the cylinder must be retired regardless of its test results. Always check the manufacture date stamped on the cylinder and follow department policies, since some cylinders or jurisdictions may have different retirement ages.