Short answer
Visual inspection is a systematic check covering the hose body, connections, markings and routing. The absence of a visible leak is not proof of acceptability on its own; the type of damage and the service conditions of the product must be evaluated against the manufacturer's acceptance criteria.
Technical explanation
Manufacturer safety guides list signs such as cuts, abrasion, exposed reinforcement, kink damage and connection deterioration as inspection items. Not every mark on the surface carries the same level of risk, and the absence of visible damage does not prove that the internal structure is sound. Approaching a pressurized leak by hand during inspection is not a safe inspection method; the system must first be brought to a safe state using an authorized procedure.
Topic-specific checkpoints
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Cut, crack, swelling, crushing, abrasion |
| Connection | Loosening, corrosion, deformation, signs of leakage |
| Routing | Torsion, tension, contact with hot surfaces |
| Identification | Legible label and correct match to the application |
How to evaluate it in practice
Link photographs to the assembly identification and the location of the observation. Instead of ‘hose is bad’, use descriptive records such as ‘rubbing mark on the outer cover after the fitting’. Do not invent an arbitrary millimeter limit for damage that has no criterion. Keep the decisions to quarantine a suspect assembly, send it for expert examination and replace it separate from each other. The checklist should be customized for different hose families where necessary.
Original editorial recommendation; not a clause of a standard.
Frequently asked questions
Can marks on the outer cover be taped over and the hose used?
Tape does not verify the cause of the damage or the load-bearing structure. The decision to use the hose must be made according to manufacturer criteria and an authorized inspection.
Source coverage
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S017
Parker Safety Guide, Publication 4400-B.1 Parker Hannifin · accessed 2026-10-20 PDF page 4; 5.2 Visual InspectionPDF page 4; 5.2 Visual Inspection and 5.3 Other InspectionPDF page 4; 5.6 Hose Inspection and Failure
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S036
Industrial Hose Safety Connections Gates · accessed 2026-10-19 PDF s. 10-19; inspection and maintenance sections