[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR393.45]

[Page 403-404]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 393_PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION--Table of 
Contents
 
                            Subpart C_Brakes
 
Sec.  393.45  Brake tubing and hoses; hose assemblies and end fittings.

    (a) General construction requirements for tubing and hoses, 
assemblies, and end fittings. All brake tubing and hoses, brake hose 
assemblies, and brake hose end fittings must meet the applicable 
requirements of FMVSS No. 106 (49 CFR 571.106).
    (b) Brake tubing and hose installation. Brake tubing and hose must--
    (1) Be long and flexible enough to accommodate without damage all 
normal motions of the parts to which it is attached;
    (2) Be secured against chaffing, kinking, or other mechanical 
damage; and
    (3) Be installed in a manner that prevents it from contacting the 
vehicle's exhaust system or any other source of high temperatures.
    (c) Nonmetallic brake tubing. Coiled nonmetallic brake tubing may be 
used for connections between towed and towing motor vehicles or between 
the frame of a towed vehicle and the unsprung subframe of an adjustable 
axle of the motor vehicle if--

[[Page 404]]

    (1) The coiled tubing has a straight segment (pigtail) at each end 
that is at least 51 mm (2 inches) in length and is encased in a spring 
guard or similar device which prevents the tubing from kinking at the 
fitting at which it is attached to the vehicle; and
    (2) The spring guard or similar device has at least 51 mm (2 inches) 
of closed coils or similar surface at its interface with the fitting and 
extends at least 38 mm (1\1/2\ inches) into the coiled segment of the 
tubing from its straight segment.
    (d) Brake tubing and hose connections. All connections for air, 
vacuum, or hydraulic braking systems shall be installed so as to ensure 
an attachment free of leaks, constrictions or other conditions which 
would adversely affect the performance of the brake system.

[70 FR 48050, Aug. 15, 2005]