RIVERSIDE, Calif – May 21, 2001 — Luxfer Gas Cylinders announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has determined that Luxfer carbon composite cylinders need to be retested only every five years instead of every three years. Luxfer is the first and only U.S. cylinder manufacturer to be granted this extended retest cycle, which applies both to new carbon composite cylinders and cylinders already in use.

The DOT decision covers all Luxfer cylinders manufactured to DOT Exemption DOT-E 10915, which includes the entire Luxfer carbon composite cylinder product line for the U.S. These cylinders are used primarily in firemen’s self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), medical oxygen systems, aircraft inflation systems and paintball guns.

DOT requires that all composite cylinders be periodically requalified for continued use. This process includes a visual inspection and a hydrostatic retest. Luxfer carbon composite cylinders now must be requalified every five years, while all other composite cylinders must be retested every three years.

“This longer retest and requalification cycle will be a major benefit for owners of Luxfer carbon composite cylinders,” said Ed Morris, general manager of Luxfer’s Composite Cylinders Division. “Because they’ll only have to get cylinders retested every five years instead of every three years, they’ll do half as many retests over the 15-year life of a composite cylinder. That will not only generate significant cost savings, it will greatly simplify inventory management, paperwork and administration.”

Morris noted that this longer retest cycle is the latest in a succession of “firsts” achieved by Luxfer. “In 1996, we became the first company to introduce a carbon composite cylinder to the U.S. market,” he said. “Then in 2000, we were the first to introduce a composite ‘smart cylinder’ equipped with a programmable transponder tag that improves cylinder tracking and identification.”

For more information about Luxfer carbon composite cylinders, call Luxfer at (951) 684-5110 or consult the company website at www.luxfercylinders.com.