There is no official time limit on the Technos. Riggers used to the PdF products start looking at it very closely after 15 years, and most of the time stop packing them after 20 years.
Smart manual says the canopy needs "porosity" testing after 20 repacks.
Their wording is a bit confusing
Quote:
11. POROSITY: Check porosity in the following cases -After 10 uses -After immersion in water once the canopy is dry -After 20 repacks (based on a 6month repack cycle) -After any use in abnormal conditions
1) it is permeability testing - nylon is not porous, that is, it does not absorb water. 2) After immersion? How much immersion? 3) After 20 repacks (based on a 6 month repack cycle) - does that mean 12 years, or 20 repacks, or either or what? 4) No definition of "abnormal condition".
I tried in October of 2009 to get clearer information from them, and to have them clarify the manual, to no avail.
Whatever the tests, it doesn't say this is a life limit. If it passes the test, you should be able to keep using it.
this is a copy and paste of the email i was sent when asking about shelflife of aerodynes prods.
Hi Gavin
The 12years shelf life applies to both The Smart and Main Canopies.
The Shelf life of the Container is a little more difficult to. Comment. 12 years (as like the canopies) is my general advice, however they can last a lot longer, really because the harness webbings and components see very little load compared to their strength.
But if you have to ask me a safe life for containers, I would again say 12years.
