316 Stainless Connections for Tanks, Panels & Fluid Systems

Before cutting an opening into a tank or fabricated panel, there are three questions worth answering: what connection size is required, where should it sit & what will connect to it afterwards?

Hardie Hose skin fittings provide a purpose-made through-wall connection for suitable tank, panel & fluid-system installations. The Industrial Shed range keeps selection focused with 1", 1¼" & 2" BSP fittings manufactured from 316 stainless steel. 

That makes these fittings particularly relevant to fabricators, agricultural operators, maintenance teams & installers building or modifying equipment where pipework or hose needs a defined connection through a solid surface.

If the installation also requires hose, adaptors or other connection hardware, the broader Hardie Hose range covers thousands of related products across industrial, agricultural, transport & marine applications. 

What Are Hardie Hose Skin Fittings?

A skin fitting creates a fixed connection through a suitable tank wall, panel or fabricated surface.

Rather than passing hose directly through an unfinished opening, the fitting establishes a dedicated interface where compatible downstream plumbing can be connected.

The current range contains:

These are the only three products currently classified as Skin Fittings in the Industrial Shed collection. 

They can form part of suitable:

► Tank plumbing
► Water-transfer systems
► Agricultural equipment
► Fabricated reservoirs
► Industrial fluid systems
► Wash-down equipment
► Marine-related installations
► Custom machinery builds

The fitting itself is only one part of the installation. Fluid compatibility, sealing method, wall construction & connected plumbing should all be considered separately.

Why Choose 316 Stainless Skin Fittings?

Put a Defined Connection Where the System Needs One

A through-wall connection needs to do more than fill a hole.

Its position can affect:

► Pipe or hose routing
► Available service access
► Tank drainage
► Internal clearance
► External clearance
► Connection orientation

Planning those factors before fabrication can avoid awkward plumbing later.

316 Stainless Steel for Demanding Environments

All three Hardie Hose skin fittings in this collection are listed as 316 stainless steel. 

316 stainless is widely used where corrosion resistance is an important consideration including suitable wet, outdoor & marine-related environments.

The actual fluid & operating conditions still matter. Material selection should be checked against the complete application rather than assuming one stainless grade suits every medium.

Choose the Connection Size the System Calls For

The range progresses through:

1" BSP → 1¼" BSP → 2" BSP

That allows the connection to be selected around the plumbing design instead of tank capacity alone.

A larger tank does not automatically need the largest fitting.

Common Applications

Tank Outlets & Connections

When adding a connection to a tank, fitting position can be just as important as fitting size.

For an outlet, consider how the chosen height affects usable fluid volume & whether the connection remains accessible after the tank is installed.

Before drilling, check:

► Internal obstructions
► External framework
► Tank seams
► Connected pipework
► Service access
► Required flow arrangement

This is easier to correct on a drawing than after an opening has been cut.

Agricultural Water Equipment

Farm equipment frequently combines tanks, pumps, hose & fixed plumbing into one system.

A stainless skin fitting can provide a defined tank connection where the application & materials are compatible.

Where the system involves potable water transfer, Hardie Hose Drinking Water Hoses provide a more closely related hose option than a generic pneumatic category. The current range is specifically positioned for potable-water transfer. 

Fabricated Machinery & Equipment

Custom-built equipment may require fluid to pass from an internal reservoir to external plumbing.

Examples can include suitable:

► Wash-down equipment
► Service units
► Mobile plant
► Fabricated tanks
► Workshop machinery
► Process equipment

The skin fitting establishes the penetration while the surrounding fabrication determines where that connection can safely sit.

For building or modifying the structure around the connection, Welding & Fabrication is a practical related category.

Marine & Coastal Installations

316 stainless construction makes these fittings worth considering where corrosion resistance is important.

However, a marine installation needs more than a stainless fitting.

Check:

► Location of the penetration
► Fluid involved
► Tank or panel material
► Connected plumbing
► Sealing arrangement
► Installation requirements
► Exposure conditions

A component being stainless steel does not automatically establish suitability for every marine or below-waterline application.

Workshop-Built Fluid Systems

Fabricators may need a fixed interface between a reservoir & external hose.

In this situation, design the penetration as part of the complete fluid route:

Tank → skin fitting → adaptor or connection → hose/pipe → destination

That approach makes it easier to identify mismatched sizes before assembly begins.

Product Selection Guide

Which Hardie Hose Skin Fitting Do I Need?

Don't begin with the largest option.

Begin with the required BSP connection.

1" BSP Skin Fitting – SF-SK025

Choose the 1" model where the surrounding plumbing is designed around a compatible 1" BSP connection.

1¼" BSP Skin Fitting – SF-SK032

The intermediate option suits systems requiring a 1¼" BSP interface.

2" BSP Skin Fitting – SF-SK050

The largest current model provides a 2" BSP connection for installations designed around that size. 

Compare the Installation Before Choosing

Treating these as one decision is safer than selecting a fitting solely from nominal size.

BSP Size Is Not the Hole Size

This deserves particular attention before installation.

A 1" BSP fitting does not mean you automatically drill a 1" hole.

BSP refers to the nominal pipe thread system. The required opening through the tank or panel depends on the actual fitting dimensions & installation arrangement.

Before cutting:

► Confirm the product dimensions
► Measure the fitting body
► Check required clearance
► Mark the centre accurately
► Inspect both sides of the surface
► Confirm the opening before committing

Once material has been removed from a tank, changing fitting position becomes considerably harder.

Skin Fitting vs Other Fitting Types

If the plumbing continues into a removable or serviceable hose assembly, Couplings provide a relevant next category for compatible connection hardware. Industrial Shed's coupling range includes Hardie Hose BSP & hosetail configurations among its broader offering. 

Plan the Penetration Before Installation

Look Inside First

The outside of a tank can appear completely clear while the intended position conflicts with an internal baffle, component or structural feature.

Inspect both sides before marking the opening.

Think About the Plumbing Direction

Where will the line travel once connected?

Avoid creating a penetration that immediately requires the hose or pipe to make an unnecessarily tight change of direction.

Leave Working Room

Future maintenance deserves consideration during fabrication.

Allow practical access for:

► Inspection
► Connection changes
► Tool clearance
► Hose replacement
► Cleaning around the fitting

A connection that is easy to install on the bench may become difficult to reach after the tank is mounted.

Check the Mounting Surface

Inspect the intended location for damage, distortion, seams or other features that could interfere with the installation.

A clean mounting position gives the installer a better starting point.

Expert Tips

Decide the Outlet Height From the Job the Tank Performs

For tank outlets, positioning can influence how much fluid remains below the connection.

Choose the location around the operating requirement rather than simply placing the fitting where drilling is easiest.

Mock Up the Hose Route Before Making the Opening

If practical, position the downstream hose or pipe temporarily.

This can reveal clearance problems that are difficult to see when planning the fitting in isolation.

Don't Let the Hose Hang From the Penetration

Long or heavy hose runs can create unwanted load at the connection.

Provide appropriate support where the installation requires it.

Account for Dissimilar Metals

When stainless components interface with other metals in wet or corrosive environments, consider the complete material combination & installation conditions.

Protect the Finished Thread During Fabrication

If the fitting is being installed around welding, grinding or other fabrication work, keep the connection surfaces protected from avoidable damage & contamination.

Check the System Before Commissioning

After installation, inspect the complete connection according to the requirements of the application before putting the equipment into normal service.

What Else Might the Installation Need?

A skin fitting rarely completes a fluid system by itself.

Depending on the build, the next components may include:

► Compatible hose
► BSP adaptors
► Couplings
► Hose restraints
► Pipework
► Supporting hardware

For projects involving water transfer, the Hardie Hose Drinking Water Hoses range offers dedicated potable-water hose options in multiple lengths. 

For wider industrial, agricultural & marine hose requirements, return to the Hardie Hose range, which currently spans thousands of hose & fitting products.