The right hose can make an important difference to the reliability of an industrial fluid transfer system. From fuel and chemical handling to water transfer and demanding industrial environments, hose selection needs to take the application, operating conditions and required performance into account.
Fuel Flex provides a specialist hose solution approach, combining industrial hose supply with application engineering, inspection, maintenance, testing and recertification services.
Rather than treating a hose as an isolated component, Fuel Flex works with customers to identify solutions suited to their particular requirements.
Finding the Right Hose Solution
Industrial applications can vary considerably. A hose used for fuel transfer may have very different requirements from one used for chemical transfer, water transfer or another industrial application.
Important considerations can include:
- The material being transferred
- Hose construction
- Hose diameter
- Working pressure
- Application requirements
- Installation conditions
- Required hose length
- Inspection and maintenance requirements
Choosing a suitable hose solution starts with understanding how and where it will be used.
Composite Hose Solutions
Composite hoses provide a flexible option for a range of industrial transfer applications.
Fuel Flex supplies composite hoses for approved applications involving fuel, chemicals and vapours. The standard composite range includes different constructions and materials and is available in sizes from 1 inch to 6 inches.
The standard composite hose range has working pressures of 10/14 Bar (150/225 PSI) and maximum coil lengths of up to 15 metres.
Where an EN-certified hose is required, Fuel Flex also supplies EN-certified composite hose options.
This allows hose selection to be based on the actual requirements of the application.
Rubber Hose Solutions
Fuel Flex also supplies rubber hoses for a variety of industrial applications.
Its range includes EN 12115 rubber hoses for applications involving chemicals, petroleum products, oils, solvents and food products, depending on the specific hose construction.
The range includes different hose constructions and materials designed for their intended applications.
Selecting the appropriate rubber hose requires consideration of the product being transferred and the requirements of the operating environment.
Water Hose Solutions
Water transfer applications can also require robust and flexible hose systems.
Fuel Flex supplies water hose options including dragline hoses, PVC layflat hoses and rubber layflat hoses.
These hose types can be used for applications where flexible water transfer is required, with the appropriate hose selected according to the operating conditions and application.
Hand-Built Hose Solutions
Some demanding industrial environments require specialist hose construction.
Fuel Flex’s hand-built hose heritage goes back to the original SAMCOR era and the Elephant Hose tradition.
Today, Fuel Flex continues this craftsmanship through its Ndlovu Hose, a handcrafted industrial hose designed for demanding applications in mining, agriculture and heavy industry.
The Ndlovu Hose represents Fuel Flex’s continued focus on specialist hose manufacturing and practical industrial requirements.
hose solution Selection Is Only the Beginning
Supplying the correct hose is an important first step, but effective hose management continues throughout the hose’s working life.
Regular inspection can help identify signs of wear or damage and determine whether maintenance or further testing is required.
Fuel Flex provides hose management services including:
- Inspection
- Maintenance
- Borescope inspection
- Pressure testing
- Recertification
- Repairs
This gives customers access to support beyond the initial hose supply.
Professional hose solution Inspection
Fuel Flex’s inspection services include visual inspection of the outer carcass and inspection of hose end fittings.
The company also provides borescope camera inspection to identify potential damage inside the hose.
These inspections provide additional information about hose condition and can support informed maintenance decisions.
Hose Maintenance and Repairs
Where a hose requires maintenance, Fuel Flex provides repair services according to the requirements of the hose.
Maintenance services can include repairs to rubber outer carcasses using a Belzona chemical repair kit.
Fuel Flex also carries out new stainless-steel repairs up to 2.5 metres, while smaller repairs can be completed using Band-It strapping.
The appropriate repair method depends on the hose and the condition being addressed.
Pressure Testing and Recertification
Pressure testing forms an important part of Fuel Flex’s hose management services.
During recertification, hoses are pressure tested according to OEM specifications. Chart recorders are used to record pressure and time during testing.
This provides a documented record of the pressure testing performed.
Mobile hose solution Testing
For businesses operating hoses on active industrial sites, transporting equipment away for testing may not always be practical.
Fuel Flex provides mobile hose testing through its test trailers, bringing testing and maintenance capabilities to customer locations.
The mobile testing service covers hoses from ½ inch to 12 inches, with testing pressures of up to 21,500 psi.
The mobile trailers are equipped with spare parts for composite and rubber hoses, dry-break systems, API couplers and exchange units.
Application Engineering
A suitable hose isn’t selected by size alone.
Fuel Flex offers application engineering services that support customers in identifying appropriate hose solutions for their particular requirements.
Understanding the application helps ensure factors such as the transferred product, operating pressure, hose construction and installation requirements are properly considered.
This approach is particularly important in demanding industrial environments where hose performance is critical to daily operations.
Supporting Industrial Operations
Fuel Flex’s hose capabilities cover a broad range of industrial requirements.
The company’s hose offering includes composite hoses, rubber hoses, water hoses and specialist hand-built hoses, while its hose management services provide inspection, maintenance, testing and recertification.
This combination allows customers to address both their immediate hose requirements and ongoing hose management needs.
A Complete Approach to Hose Management
A reliable hose system involves more than selecting a product from a catalogue.
The correct hose needs to be suitable for the application, properly maintained and regularly assessed throughout its service life.
Fuel Flex’s approach brings together:
Selection → Supply → Inspection → Maintenance → Testing → Recertification
This provides customers with a more complete approach to managing industrial hoses.
Why Work With Fuel Flex?
Fuel Flex combines industrial hose expertise with application engineering and hose management services.
Customers can access:
- Composite hoses
- Rubber hoses
- Water hoses
- Hand-built industrial hoses
- Hose inspection
- Borescope inspection
- Hose maintenance
- Pressure testing
- Recertification
- Mobile hose testing
- Application engineering
This range of capabilities allows Fuel Flex to support customers across different industrial hose requirements.
Conclusion
A reliable hose solution starts with understanding the application.
Fuel, chemical, water and other industrial transfer applications can all have different requirements, making correct hose selection essential. Fuel Flex provides a range of industrial hose options supported by application engineering, inspection, maintenance, testing and recertification.
From standard and EN composite hoses to rubber hoses, water hoses and the hand-built Ndlovu Hose, Fuel Flex provides solutions for a wide range of industrial requirements.
With ongoing hose management services available alongside hose supply, Fuel Flex supports customers not only when they need a hose, but throughout its working life.