» Certification and quality assurance
Hoses and tubing are relatively vulnerable equipment that plays a vital and uniquely valuable role in the LPG Gas installation and they should be selected and stored with care. Any supply should be confirmed as having valid certification to BS3212 or BSEN1763 and have been manufactured under a quality system registered to BS EN ISO 9000. Stock should be stored carefully, avoiding bright sunlight, dampness, abrasion and excessive loading.
Although no specific shelf life is usually quoted strict rotation should be maintained to avoid shortening the useful service life.
» Service life
BS3212 or BSEN1763 hoses should bear the year and name of manufacturer.
We have no specific recommendation for the exchange interval for vapour hoses, but it is considered that the normal useful service life of such hoses is 5 years.
Aggressive operating conditions or simple misuse may render the hose unfit for service in a shorter time than 5 years. The User of the hose carries responsibility for routinely checking visually the hose(s) for signs of abrasion, cuts, cracks, fading, brittleness, hot spots or other damage. If the User has doubts about hose integrity then arrangements should be made for a competent person to check and if necessary, fit a replacement(s).
Dealers and Calor Centre delivery persons, caravan park operators, fitters and others who regularly come into contact with flexible hose applications may also participate in this regular visual inspection, and make appropriate recommendations to the customer/owner of the hose concerned.
» Further information
For further information ion the safe use of flexible hoses and tubing please refer to the PDF “Using flexible hoses and tubing safely”.
