Hose Safety Institute

History of the Hose Safety Institute

The Hose Safety Institute (HSI) is a NAHAD program initiated in 1995 when volunteers representing distributors and manufacturers convened a multi-year project to develop a comprehensive set of performance recommendations for the specification, design, and fabrication of composite, corrugated metal, fluoropolymer, hydraulic, and industrial hose assemblies.  The outcome of that collaboration was the publication of the HSI Handbook for the Design and Specification of Hose Assemblies, commonly referred to as the Handbook, at the 2000 Convention in Monterey, Calif.  

The Handbook outlines agreed-upon best practices and guidelines that, in many instances, exceed the requirements of hose certification standards required for specific types of hose applications.  To compliment the Handbook, NAHAD publishes a series of Hose Assembly Guidelines by hose type – commonly referred to as the Fabrication Guides.  The Handbook and Fabrication Guides serve as the cornerstone for industry training and education promoting safe hose assembly in the shop and reliable performance in the field. 

The HSI Committee is responsible for the continued development and enhancement of NAHAD’s Best Practices and Guidelines through continual collaboration and review producing education and research content in the form of white papers, in-person, virtual, and online training.‎

While HSI programs are developed primarily for Distributors to ensure safe hose fabrication and ‎promote the delivery value-added services to their customer base, the committee endeavors to  involve its Manufacturer members in all aspects of its work.‎

As a result of their efforts, NAHAD and specifically HSI, have become the go-to organization when there is an industry question that needs to be discussed, vetted, and/or resolved.

Why earn the HSI Designation?

  • Those designated represent distributors, manufacturers and suppliers who share a passion for the industry.  They support and promote hose assembly safety, quality and reliability through education, research, and collaboration through end-user forums.  As a result of their efforts, NAHAD and specifically HSI, have become the go-to organization when there is an industry question that needs to be discussed, vetted, and/or resolved.

HSI designees agree to incorporate a series of prescribed best practices and industry-leading guidelines into their business culture.  They follow strict design and fabrication standards.  In doing so, they demonstrate to their clients that they care for the safety of their teams and the value of their trust.  

  • HSI resources serve as the basis for educating all NAHAD members and end-users on top-tier hose assembly specification, design, fabrication, handling, and management.

Who benefits from the work of the Hose Safety Institute?

  • End-users benefit from the knowledge that the company they work with followed prescribed ‎design and standards specifications to ensure their teams will be working with equipment that ‎has been methodically and carefully assembled and tested.  ‎

  • Member organizations benefit from the educational content produced.  This content, when ‎coupled with hands-on training, helps develop an efficient, effective and competent ‎workforce.  ‎

  • Industry benefits when distributors, manufacturers and suppliers agree on a solution and ‎best practice that sets a high standard for safety.‎

NAHAD’s HSI Designation

The HSI Designation, new in 2025, has been earned by NAHAD member branches or locations, who:

  • Have trained their personnel and adopted the prescribed best practices and industry-leading guidelines into their business culture, and
  • Through that training, follow strict design and fabrication requirements demonstrating to their clients that they care for the safety of their teams and value of their ‎trust. ‎

Value of the Designation to Your Company Profile

  • It sends a powerful message to your customers – one that creates loyalty as a result of your reliability and trust.
  • Investing in the training and education of your team means greater care of raw materials, fewer mistakes in assembly, and better results in testing and in the field.
  • Becoming a known resource for segments in the industry, based on your specialty, who gives back.   
  • An increased company profile can have benefits beyond the bottom line.
Apply for the HSI Designation

What are the benefits of the HSI Designation?‎

  • HSI membership separates an organization from the crowd. ‎
  • It demonstrates to the end-user community
    • that you are in it for the long-run – you don’t take short-cuts;‎
    • you invest in your team – it’s about more than the bottom ‎line;‎
    • you take great care in the products you deliver to the field.‎
  •  

What value can the Hose Safety Institute add for me and my company?‎

  • It sends a powerful message to your customers – one that creates ‎loyalty as a result of your reliability and trust.‎
  • Investing in the training and education of your team means greater care ‎of raw materials, fewer mistakes in assembly, better results in testing ‎and in the field.‎
  • Becoming a known resource for segments in the industry, based on ‎your specialty, who gives back. ‎hose-safety-institute-faq-1
  • An increased company profile can have benefits beyond the bottom ‎line.‎
Click here to Learn More About HSI Certification.
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