Overview
ISO 4641:2024 - "Rubber hoses and hose assemblies for water suction and discharge - Specification" defines minimum requirements for textile-reinforced, smooth-bore rubber water-suction and discharge hoses and hose assemblies. The sixth edition updates material, marking and test requirements and applies to hoses rated for ambient temperatures from −25 °C to +70 °C and water temperatures during operation from 0 °C to +70 °C. The standard specifies three hose duty types (light, medium, heavy) based on suction and discharge pressure limits.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Classification:
- Type 1 (light): suction to −0.063 MPa; discharge up to 0.3 MPa
- Type 2 (medium): suction to −0.08 MPa; discharge up to 0.5 MPa
- Type 3 (heavy): suction to −0.097 MPa; discharge up to 1.0 MPa
- Materials & construction: requirements for lining (water-resistant natural/synthetic rubber), textile reinforcement (optional helix), and cover (natural/synthetic rubber; corrugated or fluted surfaces permitted).
- Dimensions & tolerances: nominal inside diameters from 16 to 315 mm, with specified tolerances and minimum lining thickness 1.5 mm and minimum cover thickness 2 mm (measured per ISO 4671).
- Mechanical performance:
- Hydrostatic proof pressure and minimum burst pressures defined per hose type (see ISO 1402 methods).
- Resistance to bending with minimum bend radii defined as a function of nominal size (no kinking, breaking, or peeling).
- Resistance to suction flattening, low-temperature flexibility, adhesion between components, and ozone resistance of the cover.
- Testing, marking and documentation: guidance on type/routine tests (Annex A), production acceptance (Annex B), couplings and end fittings (Annex C), marking requirements for hoses and assemblies, test reports/certificates, packaging and storage.
Applications and practical value
ISO 4641:2024 is intended for manufacturers, specifiers and users of rubber hoses used for:
- Water suction and discharge in industrial pumping systems
- Dewatering, irrigation and construction site pumping
- Marine and port operations requiring flexible suction/discharge lines
Practical benefits include improved safety and reliability, consistent performance under specified temperature and pressure ranges, and clearer procurement and quality-assurance criteria.
Who should use this standard
- Hose and hose-assembly manufacturers and designers
- Procurement and quality engineers in water-handling industries
- Test laboratories performing hydrostatic, burst and flexibility tests
- OEMs and contractors specifying suction/discharge hose systems
Related standards
Normative references include ISO 1402 (hydrostatic testing), ISO 10619-1/2 (flexibility tests), ISO 1307 (hose sizes), ISO 4671 (dimensional measurement), ISO 37, ISO 188, ISO 7233, ISO 8033, ISO 8330/8331 and ISO 7326.
Keywords: ISO 4641, rubber hoses, hose assemblies, water suction and discharge, textile-reinforced hoses, hydrostatic pressure, burst test, minimum bend radius, couplings and fittings, hose specification.
