Edmonton Valve & Fitting Blog

You get Swagelok quality made locally by specially trained hose experts

All that's missing from our hose cell is your customized hose being pressured tested, and we test every hose before it leaves our building to make sure it meets the standard. Get in touch with us today and we can help get that custom hose started. 

Custom made in Edmonton

One great thing about having our own hose department right here in Edmonton is that we can quickly turn out all sorts of custom jobs. (You might hear us calling it our hose cell; it means the same thing.)

Whether you need a hose that's precisely 93 inches or 100 feet, we can make it for you. If you'd like a Swagelok fitting on one end and an NPT fitting on the other, we have everything in stock to put it together. There's no waiting for a factory to send us special parts.

More than half of our customers also ask us to tag each hose. We have a stainless steel tag that will hold four lines at 20 characters per line. That's plenty of room for a wide variety of information such as the date the hose was tested, its pressure rating, its part number or anything else you want to list. And if you don't want stainless tags, we have matte tags too.

We can also add a cover, such as stainless overbraid for a teflon hose.

Whatever you order, you get a one-piece solution that's ready to install. In some cases we can get it to you the same day you order it.

Local & trusted expertise

It takes special training to build hose properly. Our experts are trained by Swagelok, so you know you can trust them. They've been taught how to safely build and test each hose, making sure it meets your needs and our tight tolerances.

We have one person dedicated entirely to building hose, and six others who can step in as demand requires. They've been pretty busy lately, but they would be glad to fill your order as well. Tell us what you need by calling 780-437-0640 or sending us a note through our website.

Additional resources:

• What Goes into a Swagelok Hose, and How to Treat Them Well
• Always Looking to Innovate with Our Customer's in Focus
• 7 Facts Edmonton Valve Knows about Hose!

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780-437-0640

It's like having a Swagelok hose expert standing right next to you

It's hard for one person to be an expert on every aspect of fluid systems. If you aren't already an expert on hose, the topic can be intimidating. For instance, Swagelok offers 18 series of hoses, with variations within each series. They come in sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to 2 inch. There are over 30 possible end connections. And then there are at least 17 hose options and accessories.

The ideal solution would be to have an expert from Swagelok stand next to you all day to answer any questions. The next best thing would be to get a copy of An Installer's Pocket Guide for Swagelok Hoses.

Small but mighty

The guide is slim enough to go in your pocket, so it's easy to carry with you. Inside, it's packed with essential information like:

• Which hose material is best in which environments
• A chart on working pressures and temperature ranges
• Guidance on installing and inspecting hose
• Hydrostatic testing, lanyard tags, and other options

Narrowing the field

Hoses can be made from different materials and with a variety of reinforcement layers and end connections. Our guide gives a quick overview of the four main components in a hose:

1. Core tube material and construction
2. Reinforcement layers
3. Covers
4. End connections

The pocket guide shows which materials usually work best in various environments. You don't have to worry about memorizing all the terms and jargon associated with hose construction. The pocket guide has a glossary.

Industry considerations for hose

Does your industry typically use a certain type of hose for a common process? The guide goes through more than two dozen industries, listing typical hoses for applications such as steam lines, environmental sampling, research & development, instrumentation, and oil & gas.

We also cover a few non-industry specific factors such as static dissipation and conductivity. A handy chart makes it easy to see which series of Swagelok hose falls into which category.

The section on hose selection also has a chart for finding the working pressures and temperature ranges for various types of hose in various sizes.

Once you have zeroed in on the type of hose you need, you can move on to the sections that offer detailed pressure and temperature ratings for each series of hose. You'll find ordering information for each series so that you get exactly what you want, including options such as hydrostatic testing and lanyard tags.

Hose installation and maintenance

Proper installation is only the first part of the equation. In addition to proper installation, you need inspection and maintenance. In our pocket guide you'll learn how to take factors into consideration such as vibration, shelf life, bend radii, and motion absorption.

When you conduct periodic inspection of your hoses, the pocket guide tells you what to look for, such as blistering or discoloration.

Helping hand

The new pocket guide is only one convenient way that Swagelok can help you with hoses. Edmonton Valve & Fitting has hose experts who can answer detailed questions and discuss the particular applications you have in mind.

We locally stock a range of high-quality hoses and tubing products that can be built and customized for all your fluid system needs. Every Swagelok hose is assembled using standardized equipment, the same tight tolerances, and the same high-quality standards and standard work practices you expect from Swagelok.

If your company is in our service area, we'll deliver you a copy of the guide at no charge. Click here to get started.

Additional resources

• Those Expensive Tools? You Can Borrow Them from Edmonton Valve
• Forget Trial and Error; Take Our Tube Bending Course
• What Goes into a Swagelok Hose, and How to Treat Them Well

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780-437-0640

We have a full line of PFA fittings, valves, and tubing, to get your copy of these catalogues download them below.

Swagelok carries a variety of materials for our fittings and tubing so selecting the correct one for the job can be daunting. We discussed some of the options in our blog on special alloys earlier this year but today we will further explore our PFA line of tubing and fittings.

PFA, or Perfluoroalkoxy, is a type of fluoropolymer. It has very similar properties as the more common polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – also called Teflon.

PFA is generally used for plastic lab equipment because of its optical transparency, overall flexibility, and extreme resistance to chemical attack. PFA is also often used as tubing for handling critical or highly corrosive processes.

What to consider

You can use Teflon or metal fittings with Swagelok PFA tubing. Just remember using PFA fittings with PFA tubing you need to use a Swagelok groove cutting tool to 'groove' the tubing and achieve higher working pressures.

• An audible ‘click’ sound ensures tubing is properly inserted
• 316 SS fittings can be used with PFA tubing
• PFA Plug and Needle valves are available 

How to order

PFA part numbers are slightly different than Swagelok’s common tube fittings, for example:

• PFA-420-1-4 for a 1/4" male connector
• PFA-820-6 for a 1/2” tube union

But don't worry about memorizing part numbers, give your local Swagelok experts a call and we will be glad to help out.

Additional resources

• Sometimes Stainless Isn't Enough
• Specifically Made for Alberta's Needs: The ZSML Fitting
• Building Up Swagelok's Inventory of Special Alloys

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640.

Tagging is a great way to make sure that vital information always stays with the component

Edmonton Valve's laser engraver can make quick work of your tagging needs. As tags are made in house it easy to customize them with the information you need.

Tagging in

You may be aware that Edmonton Valve & Fitting has been providing hose tags for years, but what may be new is how hose tags are being used in the field under Quality Assurance (QA) Programs throughout our service territory.

Hose maintenance programs are gaining momentum for several reasons:

• Safety & Preventative Maintenance
• Traceability
• Identification
• Tracking & Replacement scheduling
• Ease of ordering

What type of information is typically captured on the hose tags? Hose type, CRN#, pressure test date, part number, hose ratings, pressure/temperature ratings, site location, vendor, system media – to name a few! 

At Edmonton Valve & Fitting, we are also populating database records for our customers who have adopted a hose maintenance program. These records are unique to each customer and completely customizable to reflect the program’s intentions.

Ask your Swagelok sales and service representative for more details on hose tag options and how we can help with a hose information database.

Additional resources

• Swagelok Product When You Need It, No Matter the Time or Day
• Our Hose Advisory Crew Takes the Pressure Off You
• Hose Flexibility: Edmonton Valve’s Team Handles the Job In-house

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640

There's no reason to put up with the costs and dangers or a worn out hose

Hose damage, such as those pictured above, can be a costly issue. Our Field Services Specialists will identify ways to enhance your hose selection, installation, inspection and maintenance procedures to improve hose life and performance. 

Five drops of hydraulic oil per minute adds up to 53 gallons a year — nearly a drum full. Even if you can afford the oil itself, you can't afford the environmental and safety hazard of that much leakage. A couple of pints of hydraulic oil can cost tens of thousands of dollars by cleanup crew and paperwork.

If your plant goes through a lot of hydraulic oil or other fluid, it's time for a hose checkup. Our Hose Advisory Services crew can help you regain control. It’s better to be prepared by taking a preventative approach.

Useful life

Hoses are often used in places where there's too much vibration for rigid tubing. The flexibility of hose makes it a good choice, but those vibrations ultimately will take their toll. Keep any hose in service too long, and you'll start to get leaks. The lower the quality of the hose, the faster the leaks will spring up.

A first in class plant will have a reliability engineer who builds a maintenance schedule, so you can change out old hoses before they break down. Unfortunately, many plants don't have a record of when hoses were installed. That's where we come in.

Our Field Services Specialists will walk the floor with you to fully understand your operation. We will look over each hose from one end to the other, listing all the components connected to it. We will identify the material the hose is made of, the size, the type of connection, and the length. We'll also note wear and damage.

Information on each hose will be recorded onto a spreadsheet. We then find the temperature, pressure and fluid run through that hose. All that information allows us to determine what type of hose is best for that application. It may be different — and better — than the hose already in place. We have 22 different hose types and 89 different end connections to choose from. Instead of continuously using identical replacements for failed hoses, you can treat the problem, not just the symptom.

We build all our hoses right here at Edmonton Valve & Fitting. We keep all the detailed information on file and make it available to your reliability engineer, along with recommendations for a maintenance schedule.

Planning ahead

We prefer to come out to a plant four to six weeks before the next scheduled turnaround. That allows us to collect information on all the hoses and put together kits for the replacements. For instance, we may find a combination of fitting, valve, filter and check valve on one end of the hose, and then a valve and fitting into a block on the other end. We will list all of the components, so if a customer wants to change everything out, we can pre-assemble it all. The person changing out the hose can do the job in a couple of minutes instead of having to identify components and make a trip to the shop for replacements. It can save hours.

From reduced maintenance costs and extended hose life cycles to improved safety, we’re here to take the pressure off of you. Make managing your hose systems a worry-free experience by setting up an appointment with Edmonton Valve & Fitting. 

Additional resources

• Hose Flexibility: Edmonton Valve’s Team Handles the Job In-house
• When Will It Burst? Try the "SWAGELOK" Method for Hose Selection
• Hose Failures? Five Tips to Prevent Setbacks

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast!

Or call 780.437.0640

Preserve your investment against abrasion, kinking, permeation and temperature with these 6 cover options

Once you've figured out the right materials for a hose, consider giving it some extra protection with a cover. Not sure about the hose types or end connections, download our Hose Quick Look:

Hoses can be subject to a variety of outside forces that speed up wear and tear. With the right cover, the service life will be extended.

Here are some of your options:

• Fire Jacket
• Thermosleeve
• Armor Guard
• Spiral Guard
• Nanogel Cover
• Spring Guard

Fire Jacket

Fire Jacket is made of woven fiberglass coated with silicone rubber. It protects and insulates the hose from internal temperature extremes. It guards against molten splashes and flames, and helps resist hydraulic and lubricating oils.

Thermosleeve

Thermosleeve is a braided fiberglass cover saturated with a synthetic coating. By preventing direct contact with the hose, this cover gives some protection to people handling the hose in high-temperature service, and protects the hose from weld splatter, ultraviolet light and abrasion.

Armor Guard

Stainless steel Armor Guard covers offer highly flexible protection against hose damage from the movement of gas cylinders, or any other application that might put a crushing force on the hose. The strength of steel also can protect the entire length of the hose from kinking, without impairing hose flexibility.

Spiral Guard

Our helical plastic Spiral Guard cover can be applied to hoses already in service, making it a quick way to add highly flexible protection from abrasion. You can add it to the entire hose, or just to the ends.

316 Stainless Steel Braid

Braided stainless steel gives extra protection against external corrosive materials. It also increases the pressure retaining capabilities of the hose itself.

Nano-Gel Cover

This is the cover you need to protect hose from freeze-ups in cryogenic service.

Spring Guard

Made of helical stainless steel, Spring Guard is highly flexible, yet it helps the hose resist kinking and abrasion. This is another cover that can be applied either to the ends or to the entire hose.

If you would like to discuss or see the options for yourself, please get in touch with us today.

Also see

• 7 Ways to Extend the Life of Swagelok Hose
• Edmonton Valve Knows About Hose
• Download literature on Swagelok Hose and Flexible Tubing

(But not the spray-paint kind.) A tag makes sure that vital information always stays with the component

Pictured above is an example of a custom tag that has been done up for hose. Important information is included for a quick reference for tracking and repurchasing. Get in touch with us today for you tagging needs.

Imagine you are giving your systems a quick once-over, and your eye falls on a hose. Has it been in service long enough that you should think about replacing it? What's it made of? Who made it? If you wanted to order another one, what's the part number?

If someone was thoughtful enough to tag the hose, you'll have all that information right at your fingertips.

Why you should tag

A tag is a simple way to keep vital information about a component right there with the component. You never know when that information might be needed in the future, and you never know who is going to need it. With a tag, anyone who needs the information will have it right away.

With a good tag, it's easy to track your parts and reorder them. A tag can tell you the part number, the purchase order number, install date, maybe even specs such as its working pressure and temperature. We'll put Edmonton Valve & Fitting's name on the tag if you buy directly from us, or the name of an intermediary that sells the part. If you have an urgent need to replace a hose, we've been able to get one out the door in less than an hour when the customer has been able to give us the tag information.

A tag also can be useful if you are gathering parts in a holding area prior to assembly. The tag can include a separate number for each valve, flow meter or other part. That way it's easy to check them off a list as they are installed.

If an inspector comes through and sees the part's CRN number on a tag, they'll know it's good to go without having to check it.

How we tag it

Stainless steel tags are by far the most common. Think of a soldier's dog tags, and you'll have the basic idea. We use a laser engraver to burn the information on a small piece of stainless steel, punch a hole in the tag and attach it with a wire to the part.

Lamacoids are also a popular choice. It's basically a sheet of plastic with two layers in different colors, typically a dark color on top and white underneath. In this case, the laser engraver burn away the top layer, resulting in clear white letters and symbols (though we have multiple color combinations to choose from). If you can type it out, we can put it on a Lamacoid label, including descriptions of the part and lists of safety precautions. We’ve even photocopied a drawing and loaded it into our system as an image to be burned into the Lamacoid. The plastic has a sticky back for easy adhesion on flat surfaces, making this a popular choice for panels. We've done Lamacoid tags as small as one square inch and as large as a standard sheet of paper.

There are other types of tags that usually show up on hoses. We can use self-adhesive labels, matte tags that can be color-coded, and Perma Tags with up to five lines of information and protected by a silicone gel and sleeve. We also offer a lanyard tag.

What we tag

We tag hoses, panels, regulators, valves, cylinders, and assemblies such as steam lances — nearly anything you want to order. While we're sure there are a few objects that can't be tagged, we probably can find a solution from among our various options.

We can also help you keep track of information through the use of tags. For example, we keep a spreadsheet of all the hoses we build for a customer, and assign a serial number to each. The tag will have the number, so all you need to do is read it off to us and we can tell you exactly what you have.

Adding a tag doesn't affect the delivery time, and it doesn't add much to the cost. In fact, it saves you time and labour because you won't have to track down information.

Since you're already reading this, you don't even have to track down Edmonton Valve & Fitting either. Just tell us what kind of tag you want, and what information you want on it, and we'll do the rest - get in touch today!

We can build hoses in the types and quantities you need, when you need them

We offer hoses in custom lengths to meet your specific requirements, plus you can mix and match end connections — all with a quick turnaround time. This video shows our capabilities.

For flexibility in hose, you can't beat Swagelok's X, S, and W series of PTFE hose. They require minimal force to bend, yet they have a lot of "hoop strength" from the unique braiding we use.

There's another kind of flexibility that's important when you want the right hose for the job. It's the flexibility of our technicians who manufacture the hose to your specifications right here at Edmonton Valve & Fitting. We can handle orders from one piece to hundreds of pieces, and offer a wide variety of hose solutions. In some cases we can build a hose in as fast as five minutes.

Our abilities don't stop with assembly. We can do a hydrostatic test, an immersion test, and pressure decay testing. A lot of hose shops just make the hose and send you on your way. We test 100 percent of the hoses we make. In the hydrostatic test, the hose is filled with water, and then sealed. We hold it under pressure as we check for leaks where the end connection is attached.

Some hoses require that we provide a test certificate, and some don't. But we can provide documentation with any hose if requested. If the need ever arises, we can trace each individual hose back to the original assembler.

Certified skill

Our assemblers are certified by Swagelok manufacturing engineers. To pass, they have to produce three samples of every kind of hose we build. That's about 40 different hoses in all. Then each hose is put through vigorous testing.

While the equipment isn't that complex, it has to be used properly and safely. Our assemblers must be mechanically savvy and know how to read drawings properly, and must have excellent math skills for calculating the tolerances and crimp collar shrinkage.

Labeling and packaging

You can order our hoses with a variety of labels. Depending on the need, we can use self-adhesive labels, matte tags that are color coded, and Perma Tags with up to five lines of information and protected by a silicone gel and sleeve.

Some hose shops will bulk-bag their product. Not us. We single-bag every hose we make. We assume that the customers are using each hose individually.

Fast action

We plan for our production schedule with some capacity available for customers with emergency needs. We know that a leaking hose can shut down a whole system. A customer with that kind of emergency needs a replacement as fast as possible. A lot depends on the individual specs, but we can usually have a 20-foot hose ready in as little as 15 minutes.

To show you what we are all about, look at this video, Swagelok^® - The Right Hose with the Right End Connections, to really see our capabilities. Give us a call to take advantage of our hose offerings, our office numer is 780-437-0640.

Also see

• What Goes into a Swagelok Hose, and How to Treat Them Well
• FAQ Part 4: Answers from Your Edmonton Valve Representatives
• Water Hammer and Swagelok Energy Advisors Prevention Tips

Even if you never use the full name, it's good to know what the letters stand for

Whether you are using the acronym STAMPED for hoses or talking SWAK, we have got the breakdown here in the last of our alphabet acronym series.

This is the last in a four-part series of posts where we look at some of the acronyms you'll run into when you read our blog. The first part covered letters A through E, the second took us from F through N, the third concentrated on P and R, and this one takes us through the end of the alphabet.

SAE - The Society of Automotive Engineers established one of the standards used for straight pipe threads. Some people are surprised to learn that straight threads don't provide a seal by themselves. All they do is make sure the two parts are solidly engaged. To get a seal, you need an additional component such as an O-ring, a gasket, or metal-to-metal contact with a washer.

SEA - Swagelok Energy Advisors is our team of steam experts. In addition to our Edmonton experts, we can draw on SEA's field engineers throughout North America. Most of these experts are mechanical engineers with 15 to 20 years of working with steam systems in a variety of industries. Not only do they know steam, they know how it is applied in various processes. Swagelok Energy Advisors won’t just tell you that you need a valve in a particular spot, they’ll explain why.

SESO - Swagelok quick-connects with single-end shutoff stems have no valves and remain open when uncoupled. This is to distinguish them from double-end shutoff stems which have valves, and shut off when uncoupled.

SPM – A sample probe module is one of our Pre-Engineered Subsystems combining a sample probe and a block-and bleed sample probe valve. A probe allows you to extract a sample precisely from the middle third of the pipe's cross-section, avoiding turbulent flow and sludge or particulates. We offer welded sample probes, best suited for use with double block-and-bleed valves, and retractable sample probes, best used with single block-and-bleed valves.

S.T.A.M.P.E.D. - In picking a hose, it's important to think about size, temperature, application, media, pressure, end connection, and delivery. Knowing those parameters makes it much easier to choose from the many options Swagelok offers.

STS - Once, if not twice a month we hold Swagelok Total Support training seminars to increase our customers' expertise in selecting, handling, and installing tube fittings, plus the proper bending and fabrication of tubing. These are full-day, ISO certified classes, led by an industry expert from Edmonton Valve & Fitting. Those who pass earn a certificate of competency, with a unique code that a trained fitter can use as a personal code to identify his or her own installations.

SWAK – Yes, the name of Swagelok's anaerobic thread sealant for metal pipe threads really does stand for "sealed with a kiss." (At least, that's the story we're sticking with.) SWAK cures to a bond that resists vibration or shock, but still allows low breakaway torque for easy-to-break connections, even after it's fully cured. You can apply SWAK quickly, and it will not shred or tear on assembly.

TAP - The more you know about steam systems, the more productive, profitable, and safe your plant will be. And with a training program called Ten Action Points of a Steam System, you and your team can brush up on all the essentials in a single day. You'll get the training, textbooks and other course materials, plus a continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments.

VCO and VCR - Most people know Swagelok for its two-ferrule tube fitting. However, we also carry two valuable lines of Swagelok face seal fittings. The VCR and VCO product lines have a zero clearance capability, which means they can be disassembled in line with no clearance requirements. VCRs and VCOs serve as a make and break point – a spot to access the system for repair and upgrades without having to remove multiple parts. VCR means vacuum coupling radiation, providing leak-tight service from vacuum to positive pressure. The VCO line uses an O-ring to form a seal.

VMI - Since 2001 we have offered vendor managed inventories. We'll drive out to your site, check the levels in stock, and figure out what you need. After a quick visit to your procurement office, we'll pick the parts from the truck and stock your shelves. We have three merchandisers servicing customer inventories. All are trained in basic warehouse and basic customer service skills.

That brings us to the end of the line. Did we leave out any acronym you've always wondered about? Let us know, and we may put together an addendum.

Additional resources:

• From Edmonton Valve Come the Gifts That Keep on Giving
• Meet Edmonton Valve’s Stacey Phillips
• As Edmonton Valve Prepares to Enjoy the Holidays…

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640

When you see these abbreviations, now you'll know what the letters mean

When it comes to Swagelok and industry acronyms, we have you covered! From PrESS products to regulators, find out what they mean in our acronym series blogs. Have one that has you stumped? Ask Us here.

This is our third post detailing some of the acronyms you'll run into when you read our blog. Our first installment covered letters A through E. The second installment took us from F through N. This time around, we have room for only two letters: P and R. There's a lot to cover in that tiny slice of the alphabet.

PASS - A process analyzer sampling system is a device that automatically measures some aspect of the fluid in a system. A PASS typically consists of a sample tap, a sample system, an analyzer, a sample return, and a signal transmission and control system. Swagelok wrote the book on industrial sampling systems. From time to time we offer PASS training too.

PFA - Perfluoroalkoxy is a translucent, slightly flexible polymer developed by DuPont Co. It is most commonly used for lab equipment as it has an extreme resistance to chemicals. PFA flexible tubing is good for highly corrosive process applications. Swagelok offers a variety of fittings and tubing in PFA as well as ultrahigh purity PFA fittings. You can use Teflon or metal fittings with Swagelok PFA tubing. Swagelok also uses PFA for packing and seals in some of its ball valves. 

PrESS – Pre-Engineered Subsystems are a series of Swagelok components predesigned and pre-assembled for use anywhere that fluids are processed. They range from simple weldments to complex manifolds. The list includes fluid distribution headers, sample probe modules, calibration and switching modules, and others. We’re continuing to add to the list. This array of subsystems can be designed to customer specs, and are ready to plug and play.

PRV - A proportional relief valve is designed to open gradually as pressure increases. It opens when the system reaches a set pressure, and closes when the system falls below that same set pressure. They are available for liquid or gas service, but they should never be used as safety relief devices as specified by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

PTFE - Polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic compound discovered by DuPont Co., and marketed by them under the Teflon brand name. One common application in fluid systems is TFE tape, used to seal pipe threads. Swagelok also makes PTFE hose. The X, S, and W series of PTFE hose are extremely flexible while maintaining strength. The secret is in a unique process that bonds a nonmetallic fiber braid to the outside of the hose's extruded smooth-bore PTFE core.

RHPS – No, it does not stand for "Rocky Horror Picture Show," at least not at Edmonton Valve & Fitting. This RHPS is a line of pressure regulators. The initials come from the Dutch company that developed for applications in the chemical/petrochemical, oil and gas, power, biopharmaceutical, semiconductor, and alternative fuels industries. The series includes pressure-reducing regulators, back-pressure regulators and specialty regulators for applications such as tank blanketing.

Stay tuned as we finish off the rest of the alphabet with our next post featuring acronyms from S to V!

Additional resources:

• Always Looking to Innovate with Our Customer’s in Focus
• Watch for These Sampling System Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Operations
• Swagelok’s Field Station Modules Are Compact and Ready to Go

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640