7.

TESTING OF DRAINS :

Water tightness, alignment, etc. of the newly laid drainage system should be checked and inspected by carrying out variation tests. These tests are useful for the existing systems also. TESTING OF DRAINS r ---------------- 1 !, For newly laid systems For existing

.systems , 1) 2) 3) 4) Hydraulic or water test Smoke test Smoke test Odour test Odour test Mirror test Mirror test

a) Hydraulic test: (Fig. 33) Mainly for newly laid drains and when trenches are open and not filled, such a test is carried out in sections starting from the highest end i.e. first I.C. inlet of first I.C. are plugged with rags, canvas bag or expanding plug. Water is filled up in the nearest sanitary fitting so that branch drains are completely filled up with water. After some time defective joint in branches (if any) will be detected by leakage and could be set right. Inlet of second I.C. is plugged and the main drain between two chambers is filled up including the first I.C. with water level marked with a chalk. Defective joint between two chambers could be easily noticed with eye and drop in water level of first I.C. This process Is carried down to lower sections by using the same water again and again. System is suitable only for underground drains. b) Smoke test: (Fig. 33) Suitable for underground pipes as well as vertical pipes. Underground pipes are tested in same manner as for water test, the detecting medium being smoke instead of water. For vertical pipes, smoke is introduced at the foot of the pipe by smoke rocket and noticed escaping from vent cowls. Venting end is then plugged by removing the cowl and further smoke pumped in. It will come out at leaking joints and will be noticed easily and repaired.