Test your industrial chemical hoses regularly to make sure they’re in working order, and install pressure relief valves to ensure they don’t burst or leak. This will keep you safe from injury and your business safe from fines or lawsuits, which can also be fatal for some businesses. Keep these tips in mind as you test your industrial chemical hoses so that you can be sure that your business stays alive and well.
Why Test Your Chemical Hose?
What is more important than safety? That’s what industrial professionals often ask themselves before setting out to test their industrial chemical hoses. The last thing any business wants is for a worker to be injured because of faulty, subpar equipment. After all, even if you are using your chemical hose every day at work, it’s still important to ensure that it is in proper working order each and every time. Over time, your metal-braided industrial chemical hose may experience mechanical damage, such as cracks or tears in its cover. The inner material may also develop deficiencies if exposed to heat or moisture over time. These factors can pose a major risk to you and your workers when used incorrectly and undetected.
How to Test Your Chemical Hose Visually
The best way to determine if your hose is developing cracks or damage that could lead to leakage is a visual inspection. And while you’re looking at your hoses, inspect for any signs of damage, such as tears or cracks. While it might be tempting to reach out and grab a hose that looks fine on first glance, resist that urge! A quick visual inspection may seem less time-consuming than using an industrial hose tester, but if you skip testing and then later discover your hoses have been damaged, things could end up taking much longer—not to mention costing much more money—than they would have had you tested in the first place.
What Are the Signs of Damage?
A hose can look fine on the outside but have a leak in an internal part. Signs to watch for are rusting, cracking or bulging in areas where hose pressure is high; it’s easy to spot damage if you know what to look for. Using colour-coded hoses is another good practice for spotting potential issues: Colored hoses indicate different temperatures and pressures that can put undue stress on a hose and shorten its lifespan.
How Often Should I Test My Chemical Hose?
There are no industry standards on how often industrial hoses should be tested, but it is important to do so. We recommend testing your hose monthly, especially after periods of excessive use or if you notice any signs of damage. It’s good practice to inspect your hoses every time you change a chemical and test them before they are used again.
