DANGER: Failure of improper selection or improper use of quick action couplings or related accessories can cause death, personal injury and property damage. Possible consequences of failure or improper selection or improper use of quick action couplings or related accessories include but are not limited to:
Before selecting or using any Hofmann quick action couplings or related accessories, it is important that you read and follow the following instructions:
A.1 SCOPE: This safety guide provides instructions for selecting and using (including installing connection, disconnecting, and maintaining) quick action couplings and related accessories (including caps, plugs, blow guns, and two way valves). This safety guide is a supplement to and is to be used with the specific Hofmann Publications for the specific quick action couplings and related accessories that are being considered for use.
A.2 FAIL SAFE: Quick action couplings or the hose they are attached to can fail without warning for many reasons. Design all systems and equipment in a fail-safe mode so that failure of the quick action coupling or hose will not endanger persons or property.
A.3 DISTRIBUTION: Provide a copy of the safety guide to each person that is responsible for selection or using quick action coupling products. Do not select or use quick action couplings without thoroughly reading and understanding this safety guide as well as the specific Hofmann Publications for the products considered or selected.
A.4 USER RESPONSIBILITY: Due to the wide variety of operating conditions and uses for quick action couplings, Hofmann and its distributors do not represent or warrant that any particular quick action environment (that is, surrounding conditions) to which they are coupled is suitable for any specific end use system. This safety guide does not analyze all technical parameters that must be considered in selecting a product. The user, through its own analysis and testing, is solely responsible for:
A.5 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Call Hofmann if you have any questions or require any additional information.
B.1 PRESSURE: Quick action couplings selection must be made so that the published rated pressure of the coupling is equal to or greater than the maximum system pressure. Surge pressures in the system higher than the rated pressure of the coupling will shorten the quick action coupling’s life. Do not confuse burst pressure or other pressure valves for this purpose.
B.2 FLUID COMPATABILITY: Quick action couplings selection must assure compatibility of the body and seal materials with the fluid media used.
See the fluid compatibility chart in the Hofmann Publication for the product being considered or used.
B.3 TEMPERATURE: Be certain that fluid and ambient temperatures, both steady and transient, do not exceed the limitations of the quick action couplings.
Use caution and hand protection when connecting or disconnecting quick action couplings that are heated or cooled by the media they are conducting or by
their environment.
B.4 SIZE: Transmission or power by means of pressurized liquid carries with pressure and rate of flow. The size of the quick action couplings and other components of the system must be adequate to keep pressure losses to a minimum and avoids damage due to heat generation or excessive fluid velocity.
B.5 PRESSURIZED CONNECT OR DISCONNECT: If connection or disconnection under pressure is a requirement, use only quick action couplings designed
for that purpose. The rated operating pressure of a quick action coupling may not be the pressure at which it may be safely connected or disconnected.
B.6 ENVIRONMENT: Care must be taken to ensure that quick couplings are either compatible with or protected from the environment to which they are exposed. Environmental conditions including but not limited to ultraviolet radiation, ozone, moisture, water, salt water, chemicals, and air pollutants can cause degradation and premature failure.
B.7 LOCKING MEANS: Ball locking quick action couplings can unintentionally disconnect if they are dragged over obstructions on the end of a hose or if the sleeve is bumped or moved enough to cause disconnect. Sleeves designed with flanges to provide better gripping for oily or gloved hands are especially susceptible to accidental disconnect and should not be used where these conditions exist. Sleeve lock or union (threaded) sleeve designs should be considered where there is a potential for accidental uncoupling.
B.8 MECHANICAL LOADS: External forces can significantly reduce quick action couplings’ life of cause failure. Mechanical loads which must be considered include excessive tensile or side loads, and vibration. Unusual applications may require special testing prior to quick action couplings selection.
B.9 SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS: When selecting quick action couplings government, industry, and Hofmann specifications must be reviewed and followed as applicable.
B.10 VACUUM: Not all quick action couplings are suitable or recommended for vacuum service. Quick action couplings used for vacuum applications must be selected to ensure that the quick action couplings will withstand the vacuum and pressure of the system.