Hydraulic power has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece. Today it is an integral part of so many industries, from construction plant to mining machinery, from agricultural equipment to haulage trucks.
Whatever the machine, whatever the sector, hydraulic systems share the same basic principle. High pressure fluids are used to transfer power from one place to another via a system of hoses. And it is these high-pressure hoses that National Firesleeve Flexguard Hose Burst is designed to protect.
The problem with pressure
The problem with high pressure hoses in active machinery is that they will inevitably suffer wear and tear, heat and hardening. This can lead to two types of hydraulic hose failure:
- Explosive hose failure – a hose ruptures spraying fluid in all directions harming operatives and damaging machinery
- Pinhole leaks – an intense and highly directed jet of hydraulic fluid is expelled, which can penetrate the skin like a needle for anyone within a meter of the burst
National Firesleeve Flexguard Hose Burst protects workers and equipment from both of these types of hose failure, providing increased safety, protecting your equipment and avoiding costly shutdowns.
Avoiding bursts in the first place
Flexible, and resistant to abrasion, heat and chemicals, National Firesleeve Flexguard Hose Burst significantly extends the life of your hydraulic hoses. Our proprietary heat and flame-resistant technology will protect hoses up to a continuous operating temperature of 260°F and short-term exposure to temperatures up to 473°F.
The ballistic nylon of the Flexguard Hose Burst also offers outstanding abrasion resistance. This is ideal for hoses in moving machinery, where friction and flexing can quickly take their toll. It also resists the hose decay that results from exposure to sunlight, chemicals and oil.
Protection when bursts do occur
Even with the outstanding performance of the Flexguard Hose Burst, hydraulic hose bursts will still occur from time to time. This is where our first-class protection sleeving really comes into its own.
The Flexguard Hose Burst can dissipate the force of a sudden, explosive pipe burst, and deflect the penetrating jets of a pinhole leak, protecting both people and machinery. It will contain the damage to the pipe itself and significantly reduce the cleanup time required following an incident.
Protecting your people and your bottom line
Without adequate burst protection sleeving, the failure of a hydraulic line can be catastrophic in so many ways, affecting your people, your project and your profits.
Operative injuries can be serious, and even fatal, as pinhole bursts effectively inject hydraulic fluid beneath the skin, leading to major tissue damage and the risk of blood poisoning. This not only results in personal injury, but can also lead to liability lawsuits, negative publicity for your company and significantly increased insurance premiums.
Equipment damage caused by a burst can also be widespread and costly, as hydraulic fluid contaminates machinery and the sudden drop in pressure compromises the equipment itself. This can lead to expensive repairs and replacements, along with lengthy, costly shutdowns while the work is carried out.
A cost-effective solution
As you can see, the cost of installing National Firesleeve Flexguard Hose Burst is nothing compared to the potential cost of a burst hydraulic hose. Flexguard Hose Burst can be retrofitted quickly and easily to all your existing equipment, with Flexguard Hook and Loop also available for complex installations, allowing you to maximise your safety with the minimum of disruption.
To find out more about the unbeatable protection of National Firesleeve’s British-made Flexguard Hose Burst, get in touch with our team today.
We’ll help you to keep your hoses whole and your people protected, whatever the industry, whatever the working environment.
