Abstract: A system for charging compressed air cylinders with air for breathing incorporates a fragmentation containment chamber having walls of 1/4" minimum thickness steel plate and a carousel mounted in the front panel for transferring the cylinders into and out of the chamber. Specially configured locking plates are moved in and out of locking position for the carousel in accordance with the pressurizing operation. A rotary valve serves to insure that compressed air can only be transferred to the cylinders within the cylinder when they are in position for charging and not to the cylinders outside the chamber. A grating at the bottom of the chamber permits high pressure air to exit the chamber safely in case of any malfunction. Safety interlocks and automatic controls operate in accordance with rotation of the cylinders on the carousel results in the easy, rapid and safe charging of the breathing air cylinders.