Safety Advice: plumbezy FPT1413 Flexible Pigtails

Energy Safety recently received a complaint regarding swelling, shortening and gas smells with LPG hoses for high pressure use.

The hoses are manufactured by Aquaknect, and certified as conforming to AS/NZS 1869. They are supplied with a detachable label that identifies them as "plumbezy FPT1413" flexible pigtails.

Energy Safety understands from the New Zealand agents, ABER that:

• Swelling of PVC lining occurs due to incorrect pitch of the outside metal braiding which provides mechanical strength.
  
• The failure stems from a defect in the manufacturing process, present between March 2007 and February 2008, which reduces the mechanical strength of some hoses. 
  
• During this period some 12,000 pigtails were supplied onto the NZ market.
  
• ABER first became aware of problems with the pigtails on 23 January 2008. 
  
• Since that time problems have been reported with some 110 pigtails, with 79 sent back to ABER.
  
• In 7 cases there were leaks and in one case a crimp came out completely.
  
• Aquaknect were advised of the problem and 10 pigtails were sent back to the factory for testing.
  

ABER has issued the appended service bulletin regarding the pigtails to their service agents and to LPG wholesalers.

Energy Safety recommends that any hose exhibiting swelling, shortening or gas smell be replaced and that the matter be reported to ABER.

Mark Wogan Manager, Operations Business Services Branch

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