SAFETY ALERT
There have been reports of players tampering with the pressure relief safety devices on their CO2 tanks, including reports of so-called "double disking".
Tampering with the pressure relief safety device of a CO2 tank is extremely foolhardy and could result in serious injury. The device contains a frangible "burst disk" that is designed to rupture and safely release the CO2 contained in the tank should you accidentally overfill it or subject it to high temperature. The burst disk is designed to rupture at 3,000 p.s.i. and is intended to prevent the tank from exploding.
BRASS EAGLE RECALLS EXTREME VISION 280 LENS
On April 28th, 1998 Brass Eagle issued a recall of its Xtreme Vision 280 lenses, model 7472, all serial numbers and lot numbers.
Brass Eagle has received five reports of these lenses cracking or breaking when struck by a paintball, thus creating a potential for serious eye injury to the user. Thusfar, no reports of injuries have been received.
Consumers should stop using these goggles immediately and return the lenses via freight collect to:
Recall Department, Brass Eagle Inc., 303 Cedar Street, Granby, Missouri 64844
Brass Eagle has notified the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of this recall. For information or assistance, call 1-800-354-8841.
SAFETY ALERT
In a late May 1999 press release, Larry Cossio of the National Paintball Association (a paintball insurance company) issued the following important safety warning to field owners:
"Please be advised that there has been an injury reported from a player firing through the netting and striking a spectator in the eye causing an eye injury!"
The press release urged the immediate testing of paintball field netting to ensure that it is capable of stopping a paintball.
It is important to remember that the synthetic fibers used in netting materials can weaken and decay over time with exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun, as well as weather. Different materials will have a different life span, but all will eventually suffer aging to some extent.
For field owners, it is important to test and inspect netting on a regular basis.
For players and spectators, it is a good reminder that it is possible for netting to fail, and that wearing a mask and goggles while standing near the netting is still a good idea, as even "perfect" netting can let paint and gelatin particles through if a ball breaks on it.
SAFETY ALERT
Following a report of a defective CO2 tank exploding inside a motor vehicle, a nation-wide consumer safety alert has been issued regarding the "valve plug" on CO2 tanks.
The valve plug (also called the "burst disk retaining nut") is the small brass, hexagon-shaped nut which is screwed into the valve assembly on the tank. It is supposed to have two small holes which allow for the release of CO2 should the burst disk rupture. The holes are supposed to be on opposite sides in the head of the plug. If the plug does not have these holes, your CO2 tank is not safe and should be returned to the manufacturer or place of purchase.
J.T. USA RECALLS PROTEUS GOGGLE SYSTEM
Citing concerns over durability of the mask's materials, JT USA has issued a recall of all Proteus paintball masks manufactured prior to June 2001.
Released in the spring of 2001, one of the innovations of the Proteus mask design is a swiveling earpiece, and a strap which connects to the rear of the mask, rather than directly to the goggle.
According to JT USA, some Proteus masks have shown cracking around the earpiece. While JT USA reports that there have been no injuries due to mask failure, they have issued a recall in the interest of complete player safety. The company cites concerns that cracking of the material used could potentially lead to failure in the strap area.
The Proteus design incorporates the JT USA Spectra goggle and goggle lens which JT USA reports has passed PECC (Protective Eyewear Certification Council) testing to conform to the ASTM standards for paintball eye protection. The goggle and lens are not the cause for the recall.
JT USA requests that both dealers and players with the smoke gray Proteus mask with clear earpieces (also identified by lot numbers prior to June 2001) immediately stop using them on the field, and return them to JT USA for free replacement. This recall is only in effect for the smoke/gray Proteus masks with clear ear pieces.
Recalled Proteus masks should be packaged with return address and sent, (freight collect) to:
Recall Department, JT USA Inc., 515 Main Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Customers may also call JT USA Customer Service at 1-800-587-2246 extension 250 or extension 227.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH PMI PAINTBALL GUNS
There is a potential problem with some Rampage, Black Maxx and Trracer SA paintball guns manufactured by PMI, Inc. There have been reports that the polymer body cracks if or when the gun becomes over-pressurized, i.e. from sustained exposure to direct sunlight and other heat sources, or from the over-filling of the CO2 tank. Over-pressurizing the gun and exceeding the 3000 PSI rating may cause the polymer gas chamber to rupture, which in turn may cause pieces of the polymer body to forcibly dislodge from the marker.
No serious injuries have been reported thus far, however, anyone who owns any of the aforementioned paintball guns needs to contact PMI representative Mike Lukas at (847) 233-9900, ext. 7157.
SAFETY WARNING
Regrettably, the sport of paintball has attracted more than its fair share of hotheads and sore losers. And when they loose their temper, most are inclined to slam their paintball guns against the ground or a tree and begin kicking them around. This sort of behavior isn't just childish and stupid; it is also extremely dangerous when there is a compressed gas tank attached to the gun. When full, the tank is under extreme pressure and any violent impact could cause it to rupture and leak, propelling it with enough force to cause devastating injuries to anyone standing in its path.
Learn to be a responsible, safety conscientious paintball player. Keep your temper under control. No matter how pissed off you get, you better think twice before you decide to throw your paintball gun around. You could end up in court or paying an arm and a leg for someone's hospital bills. It just isn't worth it!
BUKOWSKI DESIGN USA RECALLS BARREL SOCKS
Bukowski Design USA, in cooperation with its distributor, National Paintball Supply, is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 barrel socks manufactured between March 2002 and June 2002. This action is being taken after the manufacturer received several reports that the barrel sock separated at the stitched corners. The obvious problem with this is that an errant paintball could pass through the opening and cause serious bodily injury and/or property damage.
Thus far, no injuries or property damage have been reported.
The defective barrel socks were sold nationwide from March 2002 through June 2002 under the 32-Degrees and Paintball Junkies brand names, which is printed on the side of the barrel socks. Consumers should stop using this barrel sock immediately.
The manufacturer is offering a replacement barrel sock that can be obtained by calling National Paintball Supply at (800) 346-5615.
For more information, visit National Paintball Supply's web site at: http://www.nationalpaintball.com
MANUFACTURER RECALLS CO2 TANKS
In February 2005, a product recall of 24 chrome-moly 16-ounce CO2 tanks was announced by the manufacturer, Sharpsville Container in Sharpsville, Penn.
The tanks were distributed by National Paintball Supply under the brand name "Fuel".
The recall only affects those tanks bearing the lot number 040992. (The lot number is located on the outside of the tank, just above the CGA warning label.)
If the last six digits in the lot number on your tank are 040992, call Sharpsville Container toll-free at 800-645-1248 for a free replacement tank. The manufacturer will also pay you one hundred dollars for returning the tank.
MACDEV ANNOUNCES RECALL
MacDev Paintball Supply has issued a recall of all GCI manufactured gas cylinders supplied with their Legion Air and Conquest air systems. (The cylinders in question are marked with DOT exemption number E12695.) The recall was announced following a recent determination by the U.S. Department of Transportation that the cylinders were unsafe.
For more information about cylinder replacement, contact Mr. Lou Grubb of MacDev Paintball Suppl;y at 951-359-4859. In Australia, call Bourke Grundy at 612-9531-5055.
BRASS EAGLE RECALLS THE BLADE TURBO PAINTBALL GUN AND KIT
(Source of Report: Warpig.com)
Brass Eagle of Bentonville, Arkansas has announced the recall of its Blade Turbo paintball gun and Paintball Breakout Players Kit following reports that the CO2 cartridges can be forcibly ejected out the back of the paintball marker and break the plastic screw-on cap. This poses a serious risk of injury to the marker's operator who can be hit forcefully by the CO2 cartridges or the plastic screw-on cap. Overtightening the screw-on cap after the cartridges are pierced can result in a serious impact injury.
The firm has received reports of at least 73 incidents involving the recalled paintball markers. Seven injuries have been reported including an eye injury, facial bruises, and lacerations.
The recalled Blade Turbo paintball marker is bright blue with a black handgrip on the nozzle. Two carbon dioxide cartridges are inserted into the back of the marker covered by a clear plastic screw-on cap. The silver-colored carbon dioxide cartridges are about three-inches long.
The Paintball Breakout Players Kit includes a Blade Turbo paintball gun, a black mask and CO2 cartridges. "Blade Turbo" is printed on the side of the paintball marker.
The Blade Turbo paintball markers were sold at Wal-Mart, Kmart and sporting goods retailers nationwide from January 2005 through January 2006 for about $20.
The Paintball Breakout Players Kit was sold at Wal-Mart from October 2005 through January 2006 for about $25.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Blade Turbo paintball marker and contact Brass Eagle to receive a free replacement screw-on cap which is black, instead of clear.
For additional information, contact Brass Eagle toll-free at (866) 363-8241 or visit the firm's Web site at
http://www.brasseagle.com/recall.
PMI ANNOUNCES RECALL OF THEIR RAMPAGE, BLACK MAXX, AND TRRACER SA PAINTBALL MARKERS
(Source of Report: Warpig.com)
Pursuit Marketing, Inc. of Schiller Park, Illinois is investigating a problem which may exist with some of their Rampage, Black Maxx and Trracer SA paintball markers. PMI has received reports that the polymer body can crack when an over-filled CO2 tank is attached to the marker, or when the CO2 tank becomes over-pressurized from sustained exposure to direct sunlight. The cracking of the polymer gas chamber could cause pieces of the polymer body to forcibly dislodge from the marker.
No serious personal injuries have been reported as of yet. Nevertheless, PMI is notifying the Consumer Product Safety Commission of this potential condition with regards to their paintball markers.
Consumers are urged to return any Rampage, Black Maxx and Trracer SA paintball markers in their possession purchased prior to August 15, 2001 to PMI. PMI will upgrade and retrofit these markers to eliminate the potential problem and return them to their owners at no cost.
For additional information, please contact Mr. Mike Lukas of PMI at (847) 233-9900, Ext. 7157. Or by email at: mlukas@pminetwork.com
LUXFER RECALLS THEIR COMPOSITE PAINTBALL CYLINDERS FOR REGULATORY TESTING
(Source of Report: Action Pursuit Games Magazine - July 2006)
Luxfer Gas Cylinders is attempting to locate a small group of Luxfer composite paintball cylinders that may not have been properly tested. The cylinders involved have hydrostatic test dates ranging from May through September 2005. However, not all cylinders from this time period are affected. Most of these cylinders were sold in North America, but a limited number were sold in Europe.
Luxfer has verified that these cylinders are safe based on thorough testing, detailed engineering analysis and data collected from cylinders already recovered from the affected group. Even though there is no safety risk, affected cylinders remaining in the field must be recovered and tested as soon as possible for regulatory reasons.
To determine whether a cylinder needs to be tested, please compare serial numbers of Luxfer cylinders that have hydrostatic test dates from May through September 2005 with the serial number database at www.luxfercylinders.com/ctest on the Luxfer website.
Once you have determined which cylinders, if any, need to be tested, please call Luxfer at 1-800-355-3156 in the United States or at +44 115 980 3800 in Europe, and a Luxfer customer service representative will arrange to have your cylinders tested and returned to you at no charge. If you are calling the United States from a non-European country, please use this number: +1 951 341 5293. If you do not have Internet access, please call these same telephone numbers and a customer service representative will assist you.
SAFETY ALERT
(Source of Report: Action Pursuit Games Magazine - October 2006)
During a recent major paintball tournament in Madrid, Spain, a high-pressure compressed air tank caught fire as it was being filled and subsequently turned into a bottle rocket. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured or hurt.
Tournament officials believe the tank caught fire because someone put 3-in-1 oil in the fill nipple. As the tank was being filled, compressed air passing through the fill nipple increased the internal temperature of the tank and ignited the oil, much like the way a diesel engine works.
In conclusion, NEVER put oil in the fill nipple or anywhere around the fill nipple of an HPA compressed air tank.
