Overview
EN ISO 5172:2006 - Gas welding equipment - Blowpipes for gas welding, heating and cutting - Specifications and tests is the CEN-adopted version of ISO 5172:2006. It defines mandatory specifications and test methods for blowpipes used in gas welding, heating and cutting of metals. The standard covers:
- Manual blowpipes for welding and heating with a nominal thermal power up to 32 000 kcal/h, and
- Manual and machine cutting blowpipes with a cutting range up to 300 mm.
Note: Air-aspirated blowpipes are excluded (see ISO 9012).
Key topics and technical requirements
EN ISO 5172:2006 addresses design, safety, marking and performance testing for blowpipes. Principal technical topics include:
- Mixing systems (low-pressure, high-pressure injector, equal-pressure) and associated terminology
- Hose connections and material requirements (reference to ISO 9539)
- Marking requirements for blowpipes, valves, nozzles and interchangeable components
- Safety and operational requirements (valve behaviour, flame stability, user instructions)
- Mandatory tests, for example:
- Leak test
- Sustained backfire test (including alternative procedures)
- Valve endurance test
- Backflow test
- Stability in wind test for fuel gas/compressed-air flames
- Documentation and instructions for use, plus normative and informative annexes with reference tables (e.g., fuel gas flow rates), terminology, mixing ratios, nozzle angles and typical dimensions for machine cutting blowpipes.
The standard also references related ISO documents such as ISO 5175 (safety devices), ISO 15296 (vocabulary) and ISO 554 (conditioning).
Applications and who uses it
EN ISO 5172:2006 is used where conformity, safety and consistent performance of gas blowpipes are required:
- Manufacturers and designers of gas welding and cutting equipment (product design, type testing)
- Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing the specified tests
- Procurement teams and purchasers specifying technical requirements for blowpipes
- Welding engineers, workshop managers and safety officers implementing safe procedures and selecting appropriate equipment
- Training providers and technical documentation authors who create user instructions and safety information
Practical benefits include improved product safety, harmonized test methods for market approval, and clear marking/usage guidance for field operators.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 5172:2006, blowpipes, gas welding, gas cutting, specifications, tests, sustained backfire test, valve endurance, mixing system, safety requirements.
