Can a hose that looks fine stay in service longer than five years?

Not by its looks: HTM 02-01 says the condition of hose assemblies cannot be ascertained by visible means and assigns them a service life of five years.

Do pendant hoses need gas testing after replacement?

Yes. HTM 02-01 asks for performance and engineering tests by the Competent Person (MGPS) and identity, quality and purity tests by the Quality Controller (MGPS).

How often should medical gas hose assemblies be checked or replaced?

Q: How often should the low-pressure medical gas hose assemblies in ceiling pendants and medical supply units be inspected or replaced?

Under HTM 02-01 (2026), the NHS England guidance, medical gas hose assemblies in pendants and medical supply units should be replaced every five years, unless environmental conditions dictate sooner replacement or manufacturers' recommendations change, because their condition cannot be judged by looking at them.

How often should the low-pressure medical gas hose assemblies in ceiling pendants and medical supply units be inspected or replaced?

A five-year service life

HTM 02-01 Part A asks for hose replacement schemes to be programmed as life-cycle requirements whenever integral hoses are introduced into the pipeline system, with replacement every five years (para 3.24). Part B explains why: it is not possible to ascertain the condition of hose assemblies by visible means, so they are assigned a service life of five years and replaced within that period. The Authorised Person (MGPS) keeps records of medical supply unit hoses with their location, pressure rating, serial number, date of installation and five-yearly replacement due date (Part B, para 6.80).

Checks between replacements

Medical supply unit checks in the Part B maintenance tasks cover the security of fixings and mountings, freedom of movement where applicable, and the labelling and colour-coding of hose assemblies.
Terminal units on medical supply units are tested in line with the main terminal unit tasks, and HTM 02-01 asks for all terminal units to be tested quarterly.
Pendant fixings and mounts are inspected at the same time as hose replacement.

Replacing a hose

All work on hoses requires a permit to work, and the Designated Clinical Officer (MGPS) grants permission for hose replacement in their department.
Replacement is done only by a Competent Person (MGPS) with specific training in hose manufacture and replacement. Hoses connect with NIST connectors at both ends and, in movable systems, are BS EN ISO 5359 compliant.
Each hose carries the assembly manufacturer's details, the date of manufacture and the replacement date, and replacement dates are displayed on the outside of the pendant or medical supply unit so users can see them.
Replacing pendant hoses carries a risk of cross-connection and pollution if NIST fittings are attributed to the wrong hose or the hose material is substandard. HTM 02-01 asks for performance and engineering tests by the Competent Person (MGPS) and identity, quality and purity tests by the Quality Controller (MGPS).

Fewer hoses, less to replace

HTM 02-01 asks for flexible hoses to be avoided unless movement between the terminal unit and the fixed pipeline is needed, as in medical supply units. Flexible hoses are porous and absorb small amounts of moisture over long periods, which can conflict with the dew-point requirements of medical gases. Their use should be restricted where possible, particularly where terminal units are rarely used, and a rigid pipeline is the preferred option. ISO 5359:2014, the international standard for low-pressure hose assemblies, applies at pressures up to 1 400 kPa and is under revision.