The cylinder of a gaseous suppression system is a pressurized container that does nothing until a fire occurs, but at that moment must discharge a precisely calculated amount of gas If the gas inside has diminished due to leakage, the system will be inadequate; if the cylinder body is fatigued, it is not safe under pressure. Both are invisible to the eye — they are detected by weighing and hydrostatic testing understood.
FM-200 (HFC-227ea), Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and argon-based inert gas cylinder refill and hydrostatic test process end-to-end: we remove cylinders from the system, send them to an industrial gas refill facility holding a Refill Certificate of Competence, reinstall them upon return, reactivate the system with tests, and deliver the documentation to you.
Cylinder refilling and hydrostatic testing, as required by regulations, are performed at certified refill facilities — they cannot be performed on-site or in any workshop. SGM-2015/2 Notification requires that the facility performing refilling obtain a Refill Certificate of Competence from the Provincial Directorate and maintain a hydrostatic pressure test unit compliant with the standard at its facility. This is why this work is performed at industrial gas refill facilities, not in fire company workshops.
Our responsibility covers the system itself: safe removal of cylinders, shipment to a certified facility, correct reinstallation of the right cylinder in the right location with the correct gas quantity upon return, establishment of trigger connections, reactivation of the system to automatic position through testing, and filing of all records. We are responsible for delivery of the system in working order.
This page describes cylinders connected to a fixed gaseous extinguishing system protecting a space : cylinders connected to a panel, discharging via nozzled piping and cylinder batteries. Manual portable fire extinguishers are a separate matter — we also perform their sale, maintenance and refilling as ASPEK (in compliance with TS 11827 requirements); see portable extinguisher maintenance and refilling page for details. Use of the same gas does not make the two operations identical.
When Does a Cylinder Need Refilling?
This question is answered not by estimation, but by thresholds set by the standard. TS ISO 14520-1 Section 9.2.1.3requires the tank contents to be checked at least every 6 months requires checking and differentiates the refill threshold by gas type:
| Gas type | Example | Refill/replacement threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Liquefied (halocarbon) | FM-200, Novec 1230 | Weight loss in extinguishing agent exceeding 5% or exceeding 10% pressure loss (corrected for temperature) |
| Non-liquefied (inert) | Argon (IG-01), IG-55, IG-541, IG-100 | At pressure exceeding 5% loss (corrected for temperature) |
The difference is no coincidence: in liquefied gas, there is a liquid phase inside the cylinder and even if some leakage occurs, the driving gas pressure above remains normal for a long time — this is why weight is the key criterion. In inert gas there is no liquid phase; gas pressure is a direct indicator of quantity; the standard explicitly writes that "pressure is an indicator of extinguishing agent quantity."
The standard also requires that if pressure or weight indicators are used, these indicators shall be compared at least once per year with separate calibrated instruments Taking the manometer on the cylinder at face value and not measuring for years is a direct violation of this provision.
Other situations requiring refilling
- When the system discharges in a real fire or unintentionally
- When the time comes for the cylinder's periodic body (hydrostatic) test — the cylinder is already emptied for the test
- When the space volume or hazard class changes, requiring an increase in gas quantity
Two Different Methods by Gas Type
The cylinder must be emptied for hydrostatic testing — but what happens to the gas inside the cylinder varies entirely depending on the gas type. We apply two separate methods in the field, and the distinction is based on the standard itself.
FM-200 and Novec 1230 → gas is recovered, the same gas is re-pressurized after testing
These are liquefied halogenated hydrocarbons: they are expensive and should not be released to the atmosphere. TS ISO 14520-1 Article 9.2.1.4 explicitly mandates this — all extinguishing agent discharged from cylinders during use or maintenance operations shall be "collected and reused or disposed of in accordance with existing laws and regulations and with environmental considerations taken into account"A zone monitoring module connects an entire conventional detector line to the addressable loop. Critical areas are renewed with addressable devices while secondary zones continue to operate with their existing wiring. This provides significant cost advantage in capacity upgrade and renovation projects.
In practice we do the following: the gas in the cylinder is drawn out with a recovery unit and stored in a storage cylinder, the empty cylinder undergoes internal inspection and hydrostatic testing, and after testing the same stored gas is re-pressurized into the cylinder. The customer does not pay for new gas; only the test, labor, and any loss compensation are charged.
CO₂ and argon (200 bar and above) → cylinder is emptied, new gas is refilled after testing
CO₂ and argon-based inert mixtures are stored in gas phase at high pressure (typically 200 bar and above). These gases naturally occur in Earth's atmosphere and TS ISO 14520-1 Article 9.2.1.4 exempts them from the recovery rule: "Inert gas mixtures based on gases naturally occurring in Earth's atmosphere shall be exempted from this rule."
This is why gas is not recovered from these cylinders; the cylinder is emptied in a controlled manner, undergoes internal inspection and hydrostatic testing, and then is filled with new gas. Recovering a high-pressure gas is both technically demanding and economically unfavorable since the gas itself is relatively inexpensive. The cost item here is gas replacement.
| FM-200 / Novec 1230 | CO₂ / argon and inert mixtures | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage method | Liquefied, with nitrogen driving gas | Gas phase, high pressure (200 bar and above) |
| Gas before testing | Recovered and stored | Emptied in controlled manner |
| After testing | Same gas re-pressurized | New gas filled |
| Basis | TS ISO 14520 Art. 9.2.1.4 — shall be collected and reused | Art. 9.2.1.4 exception — natural inert gases exempt from rule |
| Quantity criterion | Weight (weighing) | Pressure (corrected for temperature) |
How Does the Process Work?
The work runs in two locations: the system in the field with ushistoric buildings the gas inside the cylinder and body testing at a certified refill facility. Below we clearly distinguish which step is performed where.
1. Detection and planning — field (ASPEK)
- Cylinders are weighed in place; driving gas pressure is read corrected for ambient temperature
- The cylinder's stamp and date of last body test are read; cylinders reaching their 10-year period are identified
- A list is drawn up of cylinders exceeding the refill threshold and/or due for testing; the work schedule and the period during which the space will lack gaseous extinguishing protection are planned
This planning is not a trivial detail: while cylinders are removed that space lacks gaseous extinguishing protection. In critical spaces, cylinders are sent in batches or temporary measures are planned.
2. Safe removal and shipment — field (ASPEK)
- The system is deactivated, solenoid/actuator is disconnected, safety pin and transport cap are installed
- Cylinders are removed in a manner preventing unintended discharge — TS ISO 14520 Article 9.3.3 states that "all care shall be taken" during servicing for this purpose
- Cylinders are labeled recording which space each cylinder belongs to and are shipped to an industrial gas refill facility holding a Refill Certificate of Competence
3. Testing and refilling — certified refill facility
- Gas recovery: in halocarbon cylinders, gas is recovered and stored, in CO₂ and inert cylinders emptied in controlled manner (see table above)
- Internal inspection of empty cylinder, surface cleaning if necessary, and ultrasonic wall thickness measurement
- Hydrostatic Testing with result stamped on the cylinder
- Valve, dip tube, seal and burst disc renewed based on their condition
- Refilling: in halocarbon the same stored gas is re-pressurized, in CO₂ and inert new gas is filled; driving nitrogen pressure is adjusted; weighing and leak testing are performed after refilling
4. Return, reinstallation and reactivation — field (ASPEK)
- The weight and pressure of returned cylinders are verified upon receipt; label and stamp are checked
- Quantity recalculation: the required gas quantity is verified based on current space volume and design concentration — if space conditions have changed, the previous quantity may be insufficient
- The correct cylinder is installed in the correct location, manifold and pilot line are connected, actuator is installed, safety pin is removed
- The system is brought to automatic position through function tests and is delivered in working order
- Refilling and test documents, weighing values and inspection records are filed and provided to the building management
According to TS ISO 14520 Article 9.2.1.5, the name of the person performing the inspection and inspection date are found on the label attached to the cylinder ; we verify this on returned cylinders as well.
Hydrostatic Testing
Hydrostatic test is a test proving that the cylinder body is safe under pressure: the cylinder is filled with water and brought to the specified test pressure, and is checked for permanent deformation, leakage or distortion. A cylinder failing the test does not return to serviceA zone monitoring module connects an entire conventional detector line to the addressable loop. Critical areas are renewed with addressable devices while secondary zones continue to operate with their existing wiring. This provides significant cost advantage in capacity upgrade and renovation projects.
Period: 10 years
Refilling and periodic inspection of pressurized gas cylinders in Turkey is governed by the Notification on Procedures and Principles Regarding Refilling and Periodic Inspection of Pressurized Gas Cylinders (SGM-2015/2, RG 22.01.2015 / 29244) . The chain is established as follows:
- Notification Article 4(l) does not specify its own period when defining periodic inspection; "periodic inspection as specified in the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)" it says.
- Article 5(2) lists which standard applies to which cylinder type. For seamless steel cylinders commonly used in gaseous extinguishing systems (manufactured under TS EN ISO 9809-1/2/3), the periodic inspection and test standard is TS EN 1968.
- The periodic inspection interval specified by this standard is 10 yearsA zone monitoring module connects an entire conventional detector line to the addressable loop. Critical areas are renewed with addressable devices while secondary zones continue to operate with their existing wiring. This provides significant cost advantage in capacity upgrade and renovation projects.
That is, cylinders undergo hydrostatic testing once every 10 years. This is completely separate from the 6-month gas quantity check requirement (TS ISO 14520 Art. 9.2.1.3): full gas does not mean the cylinder's body test has been performed. The exact date is read from the stamp on the cylinder; this is why the stamp and last test date are always verified before refilling.
TS ISO 14520-1 Article 9.2.2 already states this: "Tanks shall be subject to periodic testing at intervals required by the relevant national standard." The standard does not specify the period itself but defers to national regulations — in Turkey that regulation is the notification referenced above.
Requirements for refill and test facility
The Notification ties cylinder refilling to certification and lists one by one the equipment the refill facility must have. These are the questions to ask when obtaining service:
- Refill Certificate of Competence (Article 6) — refill facilities must obtain this certificate from the Provincial Directorate of the province in which they operate and have it renewed every two years . The scope section of the certificate lists the names of gas types to be refilled — in other words, "having a certificate" is not enough; your gas must be listed in the certificate.
- Hydrostatic Pressure Test Unit (Article 8) — the Notification requires that the refill facility's test and maintenance station have a "hydrostatic test unit with dual manometers and electric motor, with 1% accuracy, capable of providing test pressure in accordance with the relevant standard, with necessary safety measures taken," in place. The same article also lists a calibrated scale, cylinder drying unit, ultrasonic wall thickness measurement device, surface cleaning and painting unit, and test date marker and inspection seal also counts.
Cylinders failing the test
Cylinders with permanent deformation, corrosion loss or cracks in the body are taken out of service. The Notification is inflexible on this: cylinders found unsuitable upon periodic inspection cannot be refilled and these cylinders are scrapped by official record (Article 10). The missing capacity in the system is made up with a new cylinder and the total quantity of the cylinder battery is reverified.
Another practical provision: the refill facility may request periodic inspection records from the owner; if records cannot be produced, the cylinder is subject to periodic inspection again (Article 9). This is the concrete consequence of maintaining maintenance records properly — a lost record means an unnecessary test expense.
Which Gases Do We Work With?
- FM-200 (HFC-227ea) — liquefied halocarbon; weight-based control
- Novec 1230 (FK-5-1-12) — liquefied fluorinated ketone; weight-based control
- CO₂ (carbon dioxide) — high-pressure system; weight-based control, separate safety requirements (details)
- Argon and argon-based inert mixtures — IG-01, IG-55, IG-541, IG-100; pressure-based control
Legal Basis for This Maintenance
Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings (BYKHY) maintenance of fire safety systems is defined not as an optional improvement, but as an obligation incumbent upon the building owner and administrator defines it as follows:
- Article 84 — Emergency lighting, signage, and fire detection and alarm systems shall be subject to periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance as required by the system specified in the applicable standards, under the responsibility of the building owner and administrator or the building official to whom they have delegated responsibilities in writing.
- Article 100 — Fire suppression systems shall be subject to periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance as required by the system specified in the applicable standards, under the responsibility of the building owner, administrator, or the building official to whom they have delegated responsibilities in writing is a requirementA zone monitoring module connects an entire conventional detector line to the addressable loop. Critical areas are renewed with addressable devices while secondary zones continue to operate with their existing wiring. This provides significant cost advantage in capacity upgrade and renovation projects.
The common aspect of both articles is this: the regulation does not prescribe the period itself, but refers it to the standard the system is subject to. In other words, maintenance frequency is set not by the regulation but by the standard the system was designed to (TS EN 12845 for sprinklers, the TS EN 54 series for detection, TS ISO 14520 for gas systems) and by the manufacturer's own manual. A specification that says "the regulation requires this frequency" is built on the wrong basis.
The Ministry's regulation guide explicitly requires retention of these records: information, documents, and records related to inspections, maintenance, and tests must be kept in a secure place by the building owner, administrator, or responsible party for submission to relevant authorities in any emergency. Maintenance being performed is not enough; it must be documented that it was performed.
Related Pages
- FM-200 and Novec 1230 system maintenance
- FM-200 filling · Novec 1230 refilling
- CO₂ and inert gas system maintenance
- Gaseous suppression products
If you are curious about the items forming the price, items determining price the page explains all headings including refilling and testing.
To Set Up Your Maintenance Program
One contract, a solution for everything: we provide end-to-end maintenance to fire detection, gas suppression, sprinkler, hydrant, and pump units in their entirety; if you wish, maintenance of camera (CCTV) systems can also be added to the same contract.
If you do not have the brand, age, and last maintenance record of the existing system on hand, that is not a problem; the first step is anyway inventory and current condition assessment. Setting up an annual program without seeing what is there in the field means selling maintenance for a system that does not exist.
You can examine your system brand's product equivalents in our product catalog ; for requirements specific to your facility's use class, you can visit our sectoral solutions pages.
For survey and quotation you can or send your plan through our write or directly You can call call the number. Survey is free within Ankara; for facilities throughout Turkey, the visit plan is established jointly before contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a FM-200 cylinder require filling?
According to TS ISO 14520-1 Article 9.2.1.3, if halocarbon cylinders show more than 5% weight loss in the extinguishing agent or more than 10% pressure loss (corrected for temperature), the cylinder must be refilled or replaced. The tank contents must be checked at least every 6 months.
Is the threshold different for argon or inert gas cylinders?
Yes. Since there is no liquid phase in inert gases, pressure is a direct indicator of quantity and the threshold is narrower: if corrected pressure loss exceeds 5%, the cylinder must be refilled or replaced.
If the pressure gauge appears normal, is the cylinder full?
No, not for liquefied gases. Because the cylinder contains a liquid phase, even with some leakage the upper propellant gas pressure can remain within normal range for a long time; weighing is the only reliable method to indicate quantity loss. Additionally, the standard requires pressure and weight indicators to be compared at least annually with calibrated instruments.
Is hydrostatic testing the same as gas filling?
No, these are two separate obligations. Filling concerns the quantity of gas inside the cylinder; hydrostatic testing proves the cylinder body is safe under pressure. The gas being full does not mean the body test has been performed. TS ISO 14520 Article 9.2.2 refers tank testing to the applicable national standard; in Turkey, pressure vessels are subject to periodic inspection under the Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment Regulation.
Can we refill an emptied cylinder with the original quantity?
Yes, if the premises have not changed since installation; but if there has been a partition, equipment, cable or suspended ceiling change, no. Gas quantity is calculated based on the premises' volume and design concentration; refilling an altered premises with the original quantity leaves the system deficient. For this reason, volume and concentration are rechecked before filling.
What happens to the gas in the cylinder for hydrostatic testing?
This depends on the gas type. For liquefied halogenated hydrocarbons like FM-200 and Novec 1230, gas is extracted and stored with a gas recovery unit, and the same gas is repressurized after the cylinder is tested — TS ISO 14520 Article 9.2.1.4 requires this gas to be collected and reused. For natural inert gases stored at 200 bar and above such as CO₂ and argon, the cylinder is discharged in a controlled manner and new gas is filled after testing; the standard exempts natural inert gas mixtures from this requirement in the same article.
Do you perform the filling and testing yourselves?
No, filling and hydrostatic testing must be performed at certified filling facilities as required by regulations. SGM-2015/2 Circular requires the filling facility to obtain a Filling Competency Certificate from the Provincial Directorate and maintain a hydrostatic pressure test unit compliant with the standard on its premises. We remove cylinders from the system and send them to a certified industrial gas filling facility, upon return mount them with the correct quantity, recommission the system with tests, and deliver the documentation to you. We are responsible for the system being delivered in working condition.
What determines the price of gas fire suppression cylinder filling?
Gas type (FM-200, Novec 1230, CO₂, inert), quantity to be filled, whether the cylinder's hydrostatic test date has expired, condition of components such as valve and siphon tube, and the distance for cylinder pickup and delivery determine the price. For this reason, rather than quoting a single figure by phone, we perform preliminary assessment based on cylinder label and pressure gauge photographs and provide a written quotation.