Short answer
Condensate is liquid water formed by the condensation of steam. Its accumulation in a steam line must be considered separately in operation and hose assessment. Post-use drainage, recommissioning and the line geometry must be defined in the facility's safe procedure.
Source: S036
Technical explanation
Steam and condensate can be present in different operating states of the same line; therefore examining only the continuous steam condition may not be sufficient. Water accumulation inside the hose and reheating may be associated with certain damage mechanisms. Sags, low points and the drainage arrangement that affect liquid accumulation are reviewed. However, it cannot be confirmed from the outside that damage is caused solely by condensate. Pressure transitions, product selection and installation conditions must be examined together.
Source: S036
Topic-specific checkpoints
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Formation state | Shutdown, cooling, start-up and normal operation. |
| Accumulation point | Sags, low points and changes of direction. |
| Record | Time of the event, temperature/pressure and the observed symptom. |
| Procedure | The facility's safe drainage and commissioning instructions. |
Source: S036
How is it assessed in practice?
Add the hose routing, low points, shutdown duration and observations during restart to the field inspection form. For example, if the same hose causes problems only at the first start-up in the morning, the average temperature over the whole day is not enough to explain this event. If a drainage recommendation is to be made, it must be verified with the facility's process and occupational safety managers. Improvised methods such as draining condensate by loosening the connection must not be inferred from this guide.
Original editorial recommendation; not a clause of a standard.
Frequently asked questions
Does water remaining in the hose on its own prove the cause of failure?
No. It is an important observation; however, cause analysis must be carried out together with the product, load cycle, installation and other findings.
Source: S036
Source coverage
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S036
Industrial Hose Safety Connections Gates · accessed 2026-10-19 PDF pp. 6–8 construction and selection; pp. 10–19 maintenance; pp. 21–27 special services