Safety Instructions for Handling Quick Couplings and Accessories

1.0 GENERAL NOTES

1.1 General: On this homepage you will find instructions for the selection and handling (installation, coupling process, and maintenance) of quick couplings and accessories (plugs, protective caps, hoses, blow guns). This safety instruction is a supplement and must be observed in conjunction with all Parker publications relating to couplings and their accessories.

1.2 Safety Precautions: Quick couplings can fail completely unexpectedly for many reasons. Therefore, design all systems and installations in such a way that a failure of the quick coupling or hose cannot lead to personal injury or property damage.

1.3 Distribution: Give a copy of this safety instruction to all persons entrusted with the selection or handling of quick couplings. Do not select or use a coupling before you have read and understood these safety instructions and the product-specific publications.

1.4 User Responsibility: Due to the different functionalities and the versatile application possibilities of quick couplings, Parker and its dealers cannot guarantee that a special coupling is suitable for every specific end application. These safety instructions do not analyze all technical details that must be considered when selecting a coupling. The user is solely responsible, after their own analyses, for:
• the selection of their quick coupling system;
• meeting the requirements of the end user, as well as safety against personal injury and property damage;
• the safety precautions required when using quick coupling systems.

1.5 Further Questions: If you have questions or would like further information, please contact our customer service. 

2.0 NOTES FOR THE SELECTION OF THE COUPLING SYSTEM

2.1 Pressure: The selection of a quick coupling must be made so that the maximum permissible operating pressure of the coupling is greater than or equal to the system pressure. Pressure peaks in the system that are above the operating pressure significantly shorten the service life of the coupling. Do not confuse burst pressure or other pressure specifications with the operating pressure and never use the burst pressure as the operating pressure.

2.2 Fluid Compatibility: The selection of the quick coupling must be made so that the compatibility of the coupling body and sealing material with the medium used is ensured. Detailed information on compatibility can be found in the media tables.

2.3 Temperature: Ensure that the temperature of the fluid medium and the ambient temperature do not exceed the permissible values for the coupling, either continuously or briefly. Take safety measures. Use gloves when connecting quick couplings that are heated or cooled by the conveyed medium or the environment.

2.4 Size: Power transmission in incompressible media varies depending on the pressure and the flow rate. The size of the couplings and other system components must be designed so that pressure losses and heating or viscosity changes of the conveyed medium are kept as low as possible.

2.5 Connecting and Disconnecting under Pressure: If your application requires connecting or disconnecting under pressure, only use couplings that are designed for these applications. The maximum connection pressure may be lower than the maximum operating pressure.

2.6 Environment: Environmental conditions that lead to premature wear or failure (e.g., ultraviolet radiation, ozone, moisture, water, salt water, chemicals, or air pollution). Care must be taken to ensure that coupling systems are only exposed to optimal environmental conditions.

2.7 Locking: Quick couplings with ball locking can unintentionally open if the hose line is dragged over an obstacle or the sleeve is moved so far that the lock can automatically release. Sleeves that are equipped with an additional flange for better handling under adverse circumstances (oily hands or with gloves) and contain a breakaway protection should not be used under the aforementioned operating conditions. For these applications, screw couplings or coupling systems with safety locks should be used.

2.8 Mechanical Loads: Externally acting forces, such as tensile or transverse forces and vibrations, can significantly shorten the service life of a quick coupling and lead to premature failure. Atypical applications therefore absolutely require that corresponding tests are carried out.

2.9 Specifications and Standards: When selecting a quick coupling, governmental, industrial, and Parker specifications must be complied with.

2.10 Vacuum: Not all quick couplings can be used in a vacuum. Couplings for vacuum applications must be selected so that they meet the specific operating conditions and pressures.

2.11 Fire-Resistant Fluids: Some fire-resistant fluids require different sealing materials than the standard NBR used.

2.12 Radiant Heat: Quick couplings can be heated by radiant heat (e.g., from molten metal) to the point of destruction of the sealing materials or the coupling body. The same heat source can then lead to the ignition of fluids.

2.13 Welding and Soldering: Heating galvanized components (coupling bodies) above 232°C through processes such as welding or soldering can lead to the formation of dangerous gases that can damage the seals, among other things.

3.0 INSTALLATION NOTES

3.1 Inspection Before Installation: Before installing a coupling, it should first be checked whether the coupling material, the sealing material, and the reference data correspond to the specifications. Before the final assembly, the coupling system should be tentatively connected and disconnected with the units to be connected.

3.2 Combinations with Other Manufacturers: If a Parker coupling is combined with a coupling from other manufacturers, care should be taken not to exceed the smallest maximum operating pressure of both couplings.

3.3 Installation of Couplings: When connecting couplings, sealing materials, liquid sealants, or a combination of both should be used between cylindrical or conical threads. It must be ensured that the sealant is compatible with the medium to be conveyed. To prevent system contamination, it is advisable to use liquid sealants instead of sealing tape. Use the hexagon provided for counter-clamping during assembly. Never use a pipe wrench or an adjustable wrench, as this can destroy the thread seals in the coupling and damage other components of the coupling. Excessive tightening torques can destroy the threads of the couplings or cause the thread block to burst.

3.4 Protective Caps and Blanking Plugs: When uncoupled, it is advisable to prevent the ingress of dirt and other contaminants by using protective caps and blanking plugs.

3.5 Location: Install the quick couplings so that the operator is not in danger of slipping, falling, coming into contact with hot moving parts, or coming into contact with the medium.

3.6 Hose Dampening: Always use a hose dampener (a small piece of hose between the tool and the coupling) instead of mounting the coupling directly on the tool. This prevents damage to the coupling if the tool is dropped and reduces mechanical vibrations that can lead to the disconnection of the connection.

4.0 MAINTENANCE NOTES FOR QUICK COUPLINGS

4.1 Even with correct selection and installation of quick couplings, lack of care can significantly reduce the service life of the coupling. The maintenance intervals should be adapted to the operating conditions and the risk of failure. A maintenance program must be created and carried out by the user. It should include at least the following points:

4.2 External visual inspection of the coupling: Each of the following defects requires an immediate replacement of the quick coupling:
- cracked, damaged, or corroded coupling parts
- leaks at the hose connection, valve, or coupling body
- broken coupling holder (especially with breakaway safety devices)

4.3 Further visual inspections:
- leaking seals
- contamination of the locking system of coupling and plug
- inadequate mountings and protective devices
- fluid level, fluid characteristics, and inclusions

4.4 Function test: Run the system to the maximum operating pressure and check the coupling for possible malfunctions and tightness. Operating personnel should work protected during the testing and operating phase.

4.5 Replacement Intervals: The specific replacement intervals must be adapted to empirical values, government regulations, or industrial guidelines. However, they also depend on operational safety, downtime, and risk of failure. See point 1.2.