Engineering Standards

Standard

4910
Page

1 of 1
GUIDELINE FOR PURCHASE AND
USE OF FLEXIBLE METAL HOSE

Issue Date

Rev. No.
Date

06/86
1
06/91

1.

SCOPE

This standard establishes guidelines for the specification and use of flexible metal hose for natural gas applications
where flexibility is required in a small diameter connection. Such specifications are required for the purchase and
installation of flexible metal hose in DOT jurisdictional piping since no qualifying industry manufacturing
specifications are known.

2.

LIMITATIONS

2.1

Flexible metal hose should not be used in gas piping at compressor stations and process plants.

2.2

Flexible metal hose with a nominal diameter exceeding 2" nominal diameter should not be used.

3.

PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS

The following specifications are recommended for the purchase of flexible metal hose for natural gas service.

3.1

The rated burst pressure shall not be less than four (4) times the maximum allowable operating pressure
after correcting for service temperature. The maximum service temperature shall be 200F unless
specified otherwise.

3.2

Reinforcing braid is required on any hose with a maximum allowable operating pressure over 25 psig.

3.3

All end connectors shall be welded to the flexible metal hose and braid. The design of the welded joint
attaching the hose and braid to the end connector will not result in any part of the end connector or
connected component being covered by braid. The welds shall be done by the gas tungsten arc welding
(GTAW) process and be inspected by either magnetic particle or dye penetrant methods.

3.4

The corrugated steel and reinforcing braid, if required, shall be Type 304 or Type 316 stainless steel.

3.5

End connectors shall be carbon steel unless specified otherwise.

3.6

All flexible metal hoses shall be hydrostatically tested. The minimum test pressure shall be 1.5 times the
maximum allowable operating pressure and maintained for at least five (5) minutes.

3.7

The hose shall be permanently marked with the information as prescribed in MSS SP-25 on the hose or
end connectors. The test pressure shall be included in the markings. If the markings are die stamped, the
die must have blunt or rounded edges that will minimize stress concentrations.

3.8

Required Purchase Information

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Diameter
Overall length
Maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP)
Service temperature if it exceeds 200F.
End connector type (e.g., male or female, screwed or socket welded)
End connector material (e.g., Type 316 stainless steel)
Minimum allowable rated burst pressure

* Indicates revised paragraph, this Rev. No.