Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme The BFPA Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme was established in 1995 and is now the leading industry accreditation scheme for hose manufacturing and assembly, distribution and fitting. It sets a formal and credible standard for the assembly, storage and supply of hose across all sectors. The purpose of the Approved Hose Assemblies Mark certification scheme is to assure customers/end-users they have received hose assemblies from a supplier who has been inspected and awarded the Approved Hose Assemblies Mark by the BFPA. The award certifies that at the time of inspection by the BFPA inspector the supplier demonstrated that it is producing hose assemblies generally to the requirements set out in the Association’s documentation. Certified procedures and practices Although certification is not a quality certificate or guarantee of the hose assembly, it does certify the procedures and practices of the hose assembly producer’s workshop. It indicates that the hose workshop has the equipment, resources and skilled personnel required, and maintains a full quality assurance programme in its hose assembly production as approved by the BFPA. Companies in the BFPA-Approved Hose Scheme who have been inspected and approved may use the Approved Hose Assemblies logo on their advertising, stationery and promotions, in addition to the BFPA logo as appropriate. Certification is not transferable. Certification is valid for a two-year period. There are a series of strict requirements for the scheme applicants. These include: As a BFPA Certified hose workshop, quality is the key objective. This is to ensure that all hose assemblies supplied to the customer/end user are manufactured to a quality standard; that all manufacturers’ recommendations, tolerances and procedures are followed; that all Health and Safety regulations (including CEN standards) are adhered to and the procedures set out in the Association’s documentation are generally followed. The practice of ‘mix and match’ is unacceptable, i.e. the hose and fittings for an assembly must be compatible by design, size, type and manufacture. The mixing of inserts and ferrules from different, or unknown manufacturers, or the use of unmatched hose and end fittings, is potentially dangerous and is therefore unacceptable. The use of unbranded or unmarked hose is forbidden. The use of re-ended hose is also forbidden. The practice of reworking used hose is potentially dangerous and it is banned by International Standard BS EN ISO 4413:2010. Any components found with damage or that may be suspect, should not be used again. Inserts from swaged hose couplings should not, under any circumstances be re-used. The BFPA recommends that all hose be blown through with a filtered airline before and after assembly to remove all loose particles. One or more of the hose assembly company’s operators may be requested to make-up a test hose assembly during the inspection, so that the inspector can witness the producer’s procedure in operation. Validation for mobile vehicles The remit of the Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme is constantly expanding. For example, as well as workshops it now also covers mobile vehicles that meet the quality control procedures set out in the BFPA document D12. Complaints procedure As the scheme continues to grow in membership, the BFPA will undoubtedly from time to time have some potential issues relating to scheme members not operating in accordance with the schemes Quality Control Procedures (BFPA D8). To enable it to address any such issues, the BFPA has established a complaints procedure, which has proven to be successful in alerting the BFPA of a company alleged to be in breach of the scheme’s standards. The incident reporting procedure is as follows: 1. Contact the BFPA and request an incident reporting form. This form will be required to be completed with as much information as possible regarding the alleged incident. 2.The BFPA will be obligated to contact the Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme member that is alleged to have breached the D8 standards for the purpose of establishing clarification on the reported alleged breach. 3.The BFPA will (in the case of re-ending or using incompatible product) contact the company/customer who was alleged to have had their hose product reworked/repaired for the purpose of informing them of the dangers associated with having hose and fittings re-worked. 4.If the alleged incident cannot be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, then evidence of the issue will be presented to the Hose Scheme Working Governance committee for resolution. If a company is found to be in serious breach of the scheme requirements, then it could be removed from the Approved Hose Assemblies Accreditation Scheme. Let us all continue to raise the profile and credibility of the Approved Hose Assemblies Mark certification scheme by assuring customers/end-users receive hose assemblies from a supplier who has been inspected and awarded the Approved Hose Assemblies Mark by the BFPA. Confidence and trust 56 www.bfpa.co.uk
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