Flame-retardant
RESPIROFORM
RESPIROFORM is a standardised breathing air hose specifically qualified per EN 14594 - the European standard for compressed air breathing systems. The hose has TPU lining and TPE outer coating with 2 black antistatic longitudinal stripes below 10⁹ ohm. The outer coating is oil-resistant, heat-resistant and flame-retardant - three complementary safety properties for firefighting, mining and industrial applications. PN 30 bar working pressure with 90 bar burst pressure (3x safety factor). Typically used by firefighters, sandblasting personnel, tank cleaners and mine workers in chemical-exposed zones.
- -20 to +70 C
- EN 14594
- 30 bar PN
- Flame-retardant
- Breathing air
- Antistatic
Why this hose?
The EN 14594 qualification is the central element in RESPIROFORM's value proposition. The standard specifies not only material stability and pressure rating, but also cyclic service life requirements, contamination tests and temperature stability for breathing air systems. TPU/TPE-based breathing hoses are the industry-recognised choice because the materials meet all these requirements.
The dual safety property (antistatic + flame-retardant) is specific to firefighting and industrial breathing air applications. Antistatic wall below 10⁹ ohm prevents static spark; flame-retardant outer coating ensures the hose cannot be a source of fire spread. The combination is critical in scenarios where fire is a reality (firefighting) or a risk (chemical facilities).
Oil-resistant TPE outer is a specific property for industrial applications. Breathing air personnel often work in environments with oil and fuel exposure (workshops, refineries, mine installations), and the hose's TPE coating resists these exposures over time without the wall degrading.
Where it is used
Fire brigades use the hose as primary breathing air hose on SCBA systems. A typical configuration has 5-15 m of RESPIROFORM between compressed air tank and mask connection on firefighting personnel. The light TPU/TPE construction is easy to handle even under heavy firefighting uniforms.
Mine installations and chemical facilities use the hose in fixed-installed breathing air systems where personnel work in contaminated atmospheres. The EN 14594 qualification is typically mandatory in these environments, and the antistatic + flame-retardant combination is added safety margin.
Sandblasting and tank cleaning are secondary markets. Personnel are exposed to particle exposure and chemical vapours, and the hose's robustness (wear resistance, chemical resistance) makes it suitable for daily operation in these hazmat applications.
The hose is colloquially known as a breathing hose, SCBA hose or EN 14594 air hose.
Technical specifications
The hose's key specifications are briefly summarised below. The EN 14594 qualification and the combination of antistatic + flame-retardant + oil-resistant are central design features for breathing air applications.
| Inner material | TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) |
|---|---|
| Outer material | TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) |
| Reinforcement | Textile reinforcement |
| Colour | Transparent inner, black outer with 2 antistatic stripes |
| Temperature range | -20 to +70 C |
| Working pressure (PN) | 30 bar |
| Burst pressure | 90 bar |
| Antistatic | <109 Ω (2 black longitudinal stripes) |
| Standard | EN 14594 (compressed air breathing systems) |
| Manufacturer SKU | 4221 |
Dimensions and ordering
The table shows the hose's single standard dimension (ID 9.5 mm). Standard SCBA breathing air systems in Europe use this dimension.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Wall thickness |
Working pressure |
Burst pressure |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | 16 | 3.25 | 30 | 90 | 60 | 50 | 0.18 | 50 | 4221010000 |
Fields without a value (—) are not specified in the manufacturer's factsheet. Overpressure and underpressure values are recommended operating limits; the product can be subjected to higher loads on request. Bend radius is measured along the inside of the hose bend.
Standards and compliance
The hose is specifically qualified per the European standard for compressed air breathing systems.
- EN 14594. European standard for compressed air breathing systems (compressed air breathing apparatus). Defines material stability, pressure rating and contamination tests.
- EN ISO 1307:2008. European standard for rubber and thermoplastic hoses for general use.
- ISO 8031. Determination of electrical and surface resistance in rubber hoses. The hose's antistatic stripes are tested below 10⁹ Ω.
- RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). Restriction of hazardous substances.
- REACH (EC 1907/2006). Registration of chemical substances.
- ISO 9001:2015. Quality management system at the manufacturer.
- EN 137 / EN 138. Breathing apparatus standards. The hose is compatible with these breathing systems but not specifically EN 137 qualified.
Documentation and downloads
Additional documents about this hose, its compliance and installation. Click to download as PDF in a new tab.
Help with material selection
If you're choosing a hose and are unsure about the right resistance level or zone classification, these two articles are a good place to start:
The invisible weakest link
Why a conductive or antistatic hose isn't sufficient on its own — and what grounding means for the complete system.
Know your ohm
The difference between antistatic and conductive, which resistance limits apply where, and how to measure them correctly.
Industries that use it
RESPIROFORM is used in breathing air systems where EN 14594 qualification is required - typically in firefighting, mine work, sandblasting and chemical-exposed industrial zones.
Firefighting is the main market. SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) systems on firefighting personnel require EN 14594 qualified hoses with flame-retardant outer coating. The hose is specifically designed for this use and is a standard solution on modern SCBA installations.
Mine work and chemical production facilities use the hose in fixed-installed breathing air systems where personnel work in chemical-exposed zones. The antistatic properties are critical in environments where static electricity can trigger sparks, and flame-retardant outer coating is a safety property.
Tank cleaning and asbestos handling use the hose for breathing protection where personnel are exposed to hazmat media. The EN 14594 qualification ensures the hose's materials do not release contaminants to the breathing air, and oil resistance protects against oil-based media in industrial zones.
Custom lengths and assemblies
The hose can be delivered cut to desired lengths. The standard roll can be supplemented with shorter pieces or multiple rolls by arrangement.
At Particulair we advise on couplings and sizing. Send us a sketch of your application and we will assess the right variant and length.
Frequently asked questions
What makes RESPIROFORM specifically a breathing air hose?
The hose is qualified per EN 14594 - the European standard for compressed air breathing systems. EN 14594 specifies material stability, pressure and temperature resistance and service life requirements for breathing air hoses used by firefighters, mine workers and industrial personnel in chemical-exposed zones.
What do the 2 black antistatic stripes <10⁹ Ω mean?
The hose has 2 black longitudinal stripes on the outer coating that are antistatic below 10⁹ ohm. This is a safety property in ATEX zones and particularly valuable in tank cleaning and sandblasting where static electricity can build up from air flow and particle exposure. The black stripes are a visual identification marker that signals the antistatic qualification.
What is the flame-retardant and oil-resistant combination?
The factsheet specifies that the outer coating is oil resistant, heat resistant and flame-retardant. These are three complementary safety properties: oil resistance protects against oil-based media in industrial zones; heat resistance allows use in heat-exposed environments; flame-retardant ensures the hose is not a source of fire spread. The combination is specific to firefighting and industrial breathing air applications.
How many dimensions are in the range?
1 dimension: ID 9.5 mm, OD 16 mm. This is a standard dimension for breathing air hoses used with standardised compressed air breathing apparatus (SCBA systems). 30 bar working pressure and 90 bar burst pressure are typical breathing air pressures in Europe, and 50 m standard roll length covers typical installation lengths.
What are TPU and TPE?
TPU is thermoplastic polyurethane; TPE is thermoplastic elastomer (a broader family that includes TPU). RESPIROFORM has TPU lining and TPE outer coating. TPU's properties include wear resistance, temperature stability and chemical resistance. The TPE outer allows specific flame-retardant additives that make the hose firefighting-suitable.
What is the operating temperature?
-20 to +70 C. This covers normal firefighting and industrial breathing air temperatures. The hose is not specifically designed for extreme temperatures (above +70 C), but the flame-retardant outer coating protects against short-term flame exposure that may occur in firefighting scenarios.
Which couplings are recommended?
For breathing air applications, certified SCBA couplings (typically standard CGA fittings in Europe) specifically designed for 30 bar compressed air breathing are recommended. We fit these by arrangement - it is critical that the couplings match the SCBA system's specific requirements.
Is the hose rated for breathing air?
The EN 14594 qualification is specific to compressed air breathing systems, but the actual breathing air must still be generated by a separate breathing air system with proper CO2/CO/oil filter qualification. RESPIROFORM is the hose between the breathing air unit and the user - the quality of the air is the unit's responsibility, but the hose must be material-compatible with breathing air supplies.