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Piping Systems
ressure testing of pipelines should Where water is unacceptable in the The test requirement
No drop
No drop during reduced Max. 0.6bar drop period
during test period Pumping stops and pressure period
Pumping stops pressure is reduced Pumping stops Max. 0.8bar drop period
0 0 0
0 10 20 30 mins. 60 0 10 20 30 60 mins. 120 0 10 20 30 60 mins. 120 180
pressurise the system to 11/2 times the The following factors also need to be Test preparation
normal maximum pressure, stop considered:
Check that all high points have a tap
pumping and wait for 1 hour to see if any or vent to facilitate removal of air during
Is the specified test appropriate
pressure loss is indicated whilst checking for the service and the building filling and that these are all closed.
the system for visible signs of leakage. environment?
Blank, plug or seal any open ends and
Will it be necessary to divide up close all valves at the limits of the test
Where the system DOES contain vertical pipework to limit pressures in section of the piping.
plastics piping, two acceptable tests are high-rise buildings?
described by the regulations: tests A Remove or blank off any vulnerable
Will a water test leave pockets of un- in-line fittings and components that may
and B, but both are complex and time
drained water that might cause frost be damaged by the test pressure.
consuming.
damage or corrosion later?
Open any valves within the enclosed
In test A the whole system is Can the piping, or any in-line fittings test section.
and components (valves, bellows, tanks,
subjected to the test pressure by
cylinders, radiators etc) withstand the
Check that the test gauge is
pumping for 30 minutes, after which the functioning correctly, has been calibrated
test continues for 90 minutes without proposed test pressure? If not, these and has the correct range. Attach the
further pumping; at the end of the need to be blanked-off or removed and test pump, see Figure 2 (fit a separate
30 minutes pumping period the pressure make-up pieces of tube inserted. gauge if necessary, see Figure 3) using
is reduced to one third of the test If a water leak occurs what damage suitable adaptor fittings.
pressure. Test A is passed if the might be caused, and could minor faults
be checked by carrying out a leak test
Check that a suitable hose is available
pressure does not drop below one third for draining the system.
of the test pressure over the following with air or inert gas at 5kPa (20mbar)
90 minutes and there is no visible leakage before filling with water? Hydraulic pressure test procedure
throughout the test. Are sufficient people available to 1. Start to fill the piping and then
keep a progressive check for problems walk the route of the piping under
In test B the whole system is whilst filling the system? test, continuously visually checking for
subjected to the test pressure by leaks and by listening for the sound of
Can different services be inter- escaping air.
pumping for 30 minutes, after which the connected temporarily to enable
pressure is noted and the test continues simultaneous testing? 2. Release air from all the high points
for 150 minutes without further pumping. systematically through the system to
Test B is passed if the drop in pressure How long will it take to fill the system
using the water supply available, and completely fill it with water.
is less than 0.6bar (60kPa) after the what is the best time to start the test
following 30 minutes, or 0.8bar (80kPa) 3. Once the system is full, raise the
bearing in mind the duration and time pressure to the test pressure and, if a
after the following 150 minutes, and there needed to undertake the necessary
is no visible leakage throughout the test. plastics piping system, continue pumping
preparations? for the specified period.
These tests are illustrated in Figure 1.
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