Test for Crush Resistance of Breathing Air Hose

DOE-STD-1167-2003

13.0

Test for Crush Resistance of Breathing Air Hose

(Does not apply to hoses that cannot be crushed during use, i.e., hoses within the envelope of the supplied-air suit)

13.1

Test Equipment and Requirements

13.1.1 In a test carried out to determine the crush resistance of the breathing air

hose, the reduction in the flow of air through the hose is measured when a

crushing force is applied to the hose.

13.1.2 The breathing air hose should be connected to a source of air, and a calibrated

airflow-measuring instrument should be used to monitor the rate of flow of

air through the hose. The rate of flow of air through the breathing air hose

should be adjusted to the minimum value specified by the DOE contractor.

13.1.3 The breathing air hose should rest on a horizontal surface. A crushing force

of 250 lb should be applied to the hose along 3 in. of its length for 300 sec (5

min).

13.2

Test Procedure

13.2.1 The airflow rate through the breathing air hose during the application of the

crushing force should be observed. The lowest value of the airflow rate

through the hose should be recorded. The maximum decrease in the rate of

airflow through the hose should be calculated and recorded.

13.2.2 After removal of the crushing force from the breathing air hose, the condition

of the section of the hose where the crushing force had been applied should

be examined, and record should be made of any permanent deformation of

the hose.

13.2.3 The breathing air hose should be acceptable in regard to crush resistance if the

lowest rate of airflow through the hose during the application of the crushing

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

hose and if permanent deformation of the hose does not occur because of the

application of the crushing force. In addition, after removal of the crush

force, airflow must return to at least 95 percent of the original rate.

14.0

Test for Kink Resistance of Breathing Air Hose

(Does not apply to hoses that cannot be kinked during use, i.e., hoses within the envelope of the supplied-air suit)

14.1

Test Equipment and Requirements

14.1.1 In tests carried out to determine the resistance to kinking of the breathing air

hose, the reduction in the flow of air through the hose should be measured

and must not be less than 90 percent of the original airflow.

14.1.2 The breathing air hose should be connected to a source of air, and a calibrated

airflow-measuring instrument should be used to monitor the rate of airflow

through the hose.

14.1.3 The rate of airflow through the breathing air hose should be adjusted to the

minimum value specified by the DOE contractor.