Strength of Connection of Breathing Air Hose to Supplied-Air Suit

DOE-STD-1167-2003

15.2

Test Procedure

15.2.1 A steady pull of 100 lb for 300 sec (5 min) should be made on the breathing

air hose and coupling.

15.2.2 The breathing air hose and coupling should be observed during the steady

pull. Any breaking of the hose, separation of the hose and coupling, and

separation of components of the coupling should be recorded.

15.2.3 The rate of airflow through the breathing air hose and coupling during the

steady pull should be observed. The lowest value of the rate of airflow

through the hose and coupling should be recorded. The maximum decrease in

the rate of airflow through the hose and coupling as a percentage of the

original airflow rate should be calculated and recorded.

15.2.4 A rapid pull of 100 lb of 0.5-sec duration or less should be made on the

breathing air hose and couplings. A total of three of these rapid pulls should

be carried out.

15.2.5 The breathing air hose and coupling should be observed after each of the

three rapid pulls. Any breaking of the hose, separation of the hose and

coupling, and separation of components of the coupling should be recorded.

15.2.6 The rate of airflow through the breathing air hose and coupling during each

of the three rapid pulls should be observed. The lowest value of the rate of

airflow through the hose and coupling during each rapid pull should be

recorded. The maximum decrease in the rate of airflow through the hose and

coupling as a percentage of the original airflow rate should be calculated and

recorded.

15.2.7 The procedures given in 15.2.1 through 15.2.6 should be carried out on the

breathing air hose and each type of coupling used.

15.2.8 The strength of the breathing air hose and couplings of the supplied-air suit

should be acceptable if, during the prescribed tests, breaking of the hose,

separation of the hose and couplings, and separation of components of

couplings do not occur and if the lowest rate of airflow through the hose and

couplings is not less than 90 percent of the original rate of airflow through

the hose and couplings.

16.0

Strength of Connection of Breathing Air Hose to Supplied-Air Suit

16.1

Test Equipment and Requirements

16.1.1 The strength of the connection of the breathing air hose to the supplied-air

suit submitted by a DOE contractor should be determined by means of a test

involving a measure of the fit factor provided by the suit when the connection

of the breathing air hose to the helmet is subjected to a separating force. In

the test, a suit tester should wear the breathing air suit, which is connected by

means of the breathing air hose to a source of air, in an atmosphere

containing a test agent.