Division 23 Metal Hose Specification Resource

This resource supports mechanical engineers, HVAC contractors, data-center teams, facility engineers, and industrial buyers specifying braided corrugated metal hose assemblies under Division 23 mechanical systems.

Applicable Metal Hose Product Groups

  • 321 stainless corrugated hose with 304 stainless braid
  • 316 stainless hose with compatible 316 braid and fittings where required
  • Single-braid and double-braid metal hose assemblies
  • Flexible pump and equipment connectors
  • Data center chilled-water and liquid-cooling connectors
  • Steam and boiler metal hose assemblies
  • Compressed-air metal hose assemblies
  • Reducing and mixed-end metal hose assemblies

End Connection Families

Specify End A and End B independently. Flex Pipe USA supports the core connection families used across the live metal-hose catalog:

  • Schedule 40 Male NPT
  • Female NPT Union
  • Grooved ends
  • Class 150 flanged ends
  • Class 300 flanged ends
  • Weld ends
  • Female 37-degree JIC swivel ends

Every core End A × End B pairing is available through the complete metal hose connection matrix. Existing validated products can be configured online; other pairings route through engineering RFQ until the applicable pricing, size range, metallurgy, and fabrication rules are confirmed.

Required Specification Inputs

  • Nominal hose size
  • Required overall length, measured end to end unless otherwise defined
  • End Connection A and End Connection B
  • Hose material
  • Braid material and braid count
  • Fitting material
  • Operating and design pressure
  • Operating and design temperature
  • Media / service
  • Movement, vibration, bend, and installation geometry
  • Required quantity
  • Testing, tagging, MTR, inspection, or documentation requirements

Mechanical System Applications

  • Chilled water and condenser water
  • Data-center liquid cooling and CDU connections
  • Heating hot water
  • Steam and condensate
  • Hydronic pump and equipment isolation
  • Compressed air
  • Process and industrial fluid transfer
  • Packaged equipment and skid connections

Pressure, Temperature & Material Basis

Specifications should identify the complete assembly construction rather than relying on a generic material or flange-class label. Flange class defines the connection/drilling class; it is not the complete assembly working-pressure rating. Allowable pressure depends on hose series, size, braid, fittings, welds, operating temperature, media, movement, cycle requirements, bend radius, and installation geometry.

Use the Metal Hose Working Pressure & Temperature Selection resource and the Metal Hose Pressure Derating Calculator only with validated base product data.

Engineering Calculations Before Specification

Calculator outputs are preliminary engineering inputs. They do not replace product-specific rating data or application review.

Submittal & Quality Requirements

State required dimensional drawings, material test reports, hydrostatic or pneumatic testing, tagging, cleaning, certificates, weld documentation, inspection requirements, and project-specific forms before production release. Generic catalog information should not be substituted for project-specific certified documentation when the specification requires it.

Data Center Projects

For chilled-water, CDU, CRAH/CRAC, pump, heat-exchanger, manifold, and liquid-cooling applications, use the dedicated Data Center Flexible Connectors page and provide equipment schedules, connection sizes, OAL, pressure, temperature, coolant/media, and quantity.

Prepare the RFQ

Provide nominal size, OAL, End A, End B, hose and braid construction, pressure, temperature, media, movement, quantity, and drawings. Use the Metal Hose RFQ to select End Connection A and End Connection B directly.

Metal Hose Assembly Specification Guide · Engineering Resources · Submit Metal Hose RFQ