Way i see it, all systems need to do the following things:

The main reseviour(s) must be certified for over there normal use and MUST have an acceptable burst disc attached.

Easy access to an on/off valve perminatly ATTACHED to the bottle.

Pressure relief valves for FP robots must be fitted before the valve that operates the ram. Low pressure machines idealy should have a Full pressure relief valve fitted on the High pressure side of the regulator and a Low pressure relief fitted to the low pressure output of the regulator (or as close to the regulation point as possible)

Dump valve. (bleeds the hole system down after a fight) If the main reseviour tank shut of valve is broken it can easily dump ALL the gas in the entire robot.

Locking pins- i believe all rams must be locked in the exstended possition. Then if the ram were to fire its not going to lift far enough to be dangerous. Also works for retract, the locking bar must be able to withstand the crushing forces of the ram.

I see no problems or dangerous loop wholes in the current FRA build rules for pneumatics, there sensible and safe.


The idea of having the vent at the top of the ram, i dont like, i agree with the what if the arm got jammed half open comment fully.