Common Causes of Hose Assembly Failure

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Metal hose transfers media that is corrosive or hazardous— and often both. Thus hose failure presents significant health risks to those working in and around the piping system and to the surrounding environment. Depending on the application, hose failure can also damage equipment in which the hose is used, resulting in thousands, even millions, of dollars lost.

Preventing Hose Assembly Failure

As a safety precaution and to protect a company’s machinery, Penflex recommends regular inspection of hose assemblies. Beyond a more formal inspection, all those working anywhere around hose assemblies need to know the most common indicators of hose failure.

If any of the following indicators are observed, replacement hoses should be considered before failure occurs.

1. Loose, broken, bulged, frayed or worn braid.
2. Deformation of the hose, which may include twisting, kinking, denting or flat spots.
3. Slipped, cracked, or dented couplings. If couplings show excessive corrosion, this is also a red flag.
4. Traces of the media that’s inside the hose coming out or being on or around the assembly. This is an obvious indication of a leak.
5. Loose or damaged hose guards or covers.
6. Indications hose or braid corrosion.
7. Loose fitting attachments.
8. Hose assembly that are rubbing against one another or making contact with adjacent machinery or piping.
9. Unreadable or missing identification or tags if this information is required.

Some of these indicators can be fixed before replacement hoses are needed. In the case of loose or damaged hose guards or covers, look to replace the guards or covers first. However, a careful inspection of the hose and braid beneath the damaged protective layer should be carried out before replacements are installed.

Loose fitting attachments may be tightened and new tags may be created if information can be procured from manufacturer. If hoses are rubbing up against one another, we recommend the use of hose buns to create space between hoses or hoses and the ground or nearby machinery.

What to Look for During Inspections

Janet Ellison, Penflex Director of Quality and Engineering discusses these common indicators of hose failure, and underscores the importance of routine inspections, in the video below.

To download a copy of the field inspection checklist, click here.

If you have any questions about hose assembly inspection procedures, please contact us.

To print, please click here.