ISO 16964:2015

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16964
First edition
2015-09-15
Gas cylinders — Flexible hoses
assemblies — Specification and testing
Bouteilles à gaz — Flexibles — Spécifications et essais
Reference number
ISO 16964:2015(E)
©
ISO 2015

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 749 01 11
Fax +41 22 749 09 47
copyright@iso.org
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 Production pressure tests . 2
4.1.1 Strength test . 2
4.1.2 Leak test . 2
4.2 Type tests . 2
4.2.1 General. 2
4.2.2 Burst pressure test (3 samples per type) . 2
4.2.3 Pressure cycle test (3 samples per type) . 3
4.2.4 Oxygen compatibility test (3 samples per type). 4
4.2.5 Acetylene compatibility test (3 samples) . 4
4.2.6 Gas material compatibility . 4
4.2.7 Test of the safety cable (2 samples) . 4
4.2.8 Additional tests (see Annex A) . 4
5 Marking . 6
Annex A (normative) Examples of kink test, side impact test and torsion test .7
Bibliography .13
© ISO 2015 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 58, Gas cylinders, Subcommittee SC 2,
Cylinder fittings.
iv © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

Introduction
Flexible hose assemblies are used to transfer industrial and medical gases into cylinders, bundles and
trailers and also to supply such gases to user equipment.
There is a range of existing International Standards to be used for specific applications or hose
construction:
— ISO 14113 which covers hoses made with internal rubber or plastics tubing and used to supply gases
to customers for welding applications;
— ISO 21969 which covers hoses with an internal corrugated metallic liner and used to supply medical
gases to customers;
— ISO 10380 which covers hoses with internal corrugated metallic liner for all applications including
non-industrial and medical gases.
ISO 14113 and ISO 21969 cover only specific customer applications and are intended to be used
accordingly, while ISO 10380 is general in its approach.
The purposes of this International Standard are:
— to provide the specification and testing requirements for high pressure flexible hose assemblies
intended to be connected at filling pressure to cylinders, cylinder bundles or trailers for use when
filling and emptying gas at production sites and also where the customer is connecting directly to
the cylinder valve, e.g. a cylinder to manifold connection
— to cover the applications not described by the above International Standards, (flexible hose
assemblies for filling centres, flexible hose assemblies for all customer applications),
— to specify a new range of testing requirements which will more effectively evaluate the ability of
flexible hose assemblies to remain safe in operation. These test requirements replace the traditional
reliance on having a high ratio between rated pressure and burst pressure.
© ISO 2015 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16964:2015(E)
Gas cylinders — Flexible hoses assemblies —
Specification and testing
1 Scope
This International Standard provides specification and testing requirements for high pressure flexible
hose assemblies intended to be connected to gas cylinders, bundles of cylinders or trailers for use when
filling and emptying gas at production sites and also for customer use. This International Standard
applies to flexible hose assemblies with rated pressures up to 1 000 bar for use in the temperature
range of −40° C to +65° C.
This International Standard is not applicable to:
— rubber and plastics flexible hose assemblies for welding, cutting and related processes up to 45 MPa
(450 bar) for customer use (see ISO 14113);
— high pressure flexible hose assemblies for use with medical gas systems for customer use (see
ISO 21969);
— low pressure hose assemblies for use with medical gases, for customer use (see ISO 5359);
— rubber and thermoplastic low pressure hose assemblies for welding, cutting and related processes
for customer use (see ISO 3821 or ISO 12170);
— flexible hose assemblies for cryogenic applications (see ISO 21012);
— flexible hose assemblies for liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
NOTE Flexible hose assembly designs which pass the type test approval test described in this International
Standard can have a lower ratio of burst pressure to rated pressure than stated in other standards.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 148-1, Metallic materials — Charpy pendulum impact test — Part 1: Test method
ISO 1402, Rubber and plastics hoses and hose assemblies — Hydrostatic testing
ISO 10286, Gas cylinders — Terminology
ISO 10380, Pipework — Corrugated metal hoses and hose assemblies
ISO 14113:2013, Gas welding equipment — Rubber and plastics hose and hose assemblies for use with
industrial gases up to 450 bar (45 MPa)
ISO 21969:2009, High-pressure flexible connections for use with medical gas systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 10286, ISO 1402, ISO 14113,
ISO 10380, ISO 21969 and the following apply.
© ISO 2015 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

3.1
rated pressure
PR
rated pressure of a hose assembly is equal to: PR = 1,25 PW, PW being the working pressure of the
cylinder as defined in ISO 10286
Note 1 to entry: National and international design codes for pressure systems can specify a higher value of
rated pressure.
Note 2 to entry: When cylinders are filled or emptied, the gas temperature could be higher than 15 °C. This is the
reason why the rated pressure is higher than the cylinder working pressure.
3.2
burst pressure
highest pressure reached in a flexible hose assembly during a burst test
4 Requirements
4.1 Production pressure tests
4.1.1 Strength test
Each flexible hose assembly shall first be subjected to a strength test using oil-free water at a pressure
at least equal to 1,5 times the rated pressure, PR, for a minimum of 3 min. There shall be no visible
sign of leakage, permanent deformation or other sign of failure. Where hydraulic testing would result
in unacceptable contamination of the flexible hose assembly, the hydraulic test may be replaced by
a pneumatic test using a compatible medium such as dry oil-free air or nitrogen. Appropriate safety
measures shall be taken to protect personnel and equipment during testing.
4.1.2 Leak test
The flexible hose assembly shall be leak tested by pressurizing at PR with compressed dry oil-free air,
3
nitrogen or other test gases. The leak rate shall be less than 6 cm /h.
4.2 Type tests
4.2.1 General
All test samples shall be manufactured to the same design, material specification and from the same
batch of raw material. Records of the tests performed are to be retained by the flexible hose assembly
manufacturer.
To carry out the tests described in this International Standard, it is recommended that the nominal
length of hose between end fittings be 1 000 mm unless otherwise specified.
Before being type tested, all sample flexible hose assemblies shall be subjected to production pressure
tests as specified in 4.1.
For hoses to be used in hydrogen or helium service, the leak test in 4.1.2 shall be carried out using helium.
Tests shall be performed at ambient temperature.
4.2.2 Burst pressure test (3 samples per type)
The flexible hose assembly complete with safety cable and clamps (if applicable), is to be hydraulically
pressurized until burst occurs. The pressurization rate shall be adjusted at the beginning of the test to
be approximately constant and to reach the burst pressure in not less than 1 min.
2 © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO 16964:2015(E)

The burst pressure of the flexible hoses assemblies shall not be less than 3 × PR for a value of PR less
than 480 bar and [(2 × PR) + 480] bar for a value of PR greater than or equal to 480 bar.
If compliance is required with ISO 21969:2009, 6.2.3, a 5 min hold step at 3 × PW, where PW is the
working pressure, should be performed.
NOTE For acetylene service, hose with a higher burst pressure can be necessary in order to pass the
decomposition test described in 4.2.5 for acetylene flexible hose assemblies. The minimum burst pressure for
this type of hose is to be stated by the hose manufacturer.
4.2.3 Pressure cycle test (3 samples per type)
4.2.3.1 General
The flexible hose assembly complete with safety cable and clamps (if applicable) shall be submitted to a
hydraulic pressurization endurance test from a nominal atmospheric pressure (5 bar maximum) to the
PR at a frequency of no more than 30 cycles per minute.
A pressure cycle consists of a pressure increase starting from a pressure not more than 5 bar to PR and
a pressure decrease from PR back to the start condition.
This endurance test shall not apply to acetylene flexible hose assemblies because the construction
of these hoses is designed to resist extremely high pressure and stress compared to acetylene’s low
working pressure PW.
4.2.3.2 General requirement
It shall be checked that the entire flexible hose assembly is exposed to a pressure cycle where the
maximum pressure is the rated pressure (PR) and the minimum of each pressure cycle is no more than
5 bar. The flexible hose assemblies shall not leak or burst during the test:
— Category A: 5 000 pressure cycles for flexible hose assemblies dedicated to non-filling applications
such as customer installations. This applies to flexible hose assemblies with metallic and non-
metallic liners.
— Category B: 50 000 pressure cycles for flexible hose assemblies with non-metallic liners dedicated
to filling centres.
4.2.3.3 Specific requirements for metallic hoses used in filling centres
The pressure cycle test shall be performed on hose assemblies with a maximum of 50 000 cycles. No
failure should occur before 10 000 cycles.
A simple leak is accepted above 10 000 cycles, but in such cases the life of the hose shall be limited
proportionally to its performance in this hydraulic pressure cycling test.
Hoses not able to pass the 10 000 pressure cycles minimum requirement
...