Spring is here and ammonia transfers are at their peak for spring application

The number 1 failure that causes releases of anhydrous ammonia in agricultural and bulk transports is hose failures!  Without a doubt, at a fertilizer distribution center, loading and unloading DOT containers via transfer hoses pose the greatest risk for a catastrophic event.  So special attention is deserving when it comes to the hose(s) we will use for these transfers and in my nearly 30 years of working with NH3 hoses I have seen some real “doosey” of hoses that I would not have used to water my lawn, much less use for transferring NH3!  So what should we look for in a loading/unloading hose?

WA’s state OSHA plan has the best and simplest requirements.

NOTE:  The state of WA revised all their OSHA standards to read like a book rather than a legal document so I just love using them when the Federal standards are not crystal clear or too weak to my satisfaction.

296-826-40010 Hose specifications

(1) You must make sure hose used in ammonia service and subject to container pressure meets both of the following:

(a) The Joint Rubber Manufacturers Association, RMA-IP-14, Specifications for Anhydrous Ammonia Hose 7th Edition 2003; and

(b) The Fertilizer Institute’s Hose Specifications for Anhydrous Ammonia.

(2) You must make sure hose assemblies are able to withstand a 500 psig pressure test.

(3) You must follow Table 4 for hose specifications.