Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Inspections, Test
and
Safety Considerations
where D
M
= maximum mandrel diameter, in
D = base pipe ID, in
D=
D
-
A
+
B i
2 2
D
i
= nominal pipe ID, in
A = ID manufacturing tolerance, in
B = shipping ovality, in
B=0.03
Di
y = allowable deflection, percent
Deflection tests of conventionally extruded pipe may be performed in the
same manner. However, conventionally extruded pipe is manufactured to a
controlled outside diameter, so the inside diameter is subject to the combined
tolerances of the outside diameter and the wall thickness.
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 20
Leak Testing
The intent of leak testing is to find unacceptable faults in a piping system.
If such faults exist, they may manifest themselves by leakage or rupture.
Leakage tests may be performed if required in the Contract Specifications.
Testing may be conducted in various ways. Internal pressure testing involves
filling the test section with a nonflammable liquid or gas, then pressurizing
the medium. Hydrostatic pressure testing with water is the preferred
and recommended method. Other test procedures may involve paired
internal or end plugs to pressure test individual joints or sections, or an initial
service test. Joints may be exposed to allow inspection for leakage.
Liquids such as water are preferred as the test medium because less
energy is released if the test section fails catastrophically. During a pres-
sure test, energy (internal pressure) is applied to stress the test section. If
the test medium is a compressible gas, then the gas is compressed and
absorbs energy while applying stress to the pipeline. If a catastrophic fail-
ure occurs, both the pipeline stress energy and the gas compression energy
are suddenly released. However, with an incompressible liquid such as
water as the test medium, the energy release is only the energy required to
stress the pipeline.
WARNING: Pipe system pressure testing is performed to
discover unacceptable faults in a piping system. Pressure
testing may cause such faults to fail by leaking or
rupturing. This may result in catastrophic failure. Piping
system rupture may result in sudden, forcible, uncontrolled
movement of system piping or components, or parts of
components.
WARNING: Pipe Restraint. The pipe system under test
and any closures in the test section should be restrained
against sudden uncontrolled movement from catastrophic
failure. Test equipment should be examined before
pressure is applied to insure that it is tightly connected.
All low pressure filling lines and other items not subject
to the test pressure should be disconnected or isolated.
Post Installation
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 21
WARNING: Personal Protection. Take suitable
precautions to eliminate hazards to personnel near lines
being tested. Keep personnel a safe distance away from
the test section during testing.
Pressure Testing Precautions
The piping section under test and any closures in the test section should
be restrained or otherwise restricted against sudden uncontrolled movement
in the event of rupture. Expansion joints and expansion compensators should
be temporarily restrained, isolated or removed during the pressure test.
Testing may be conducted on the system, or in sections. The limiting
test section size is determined by test equipment capability. If the pressurizing
equipment is too small, it may not be possible to complete the test within
allowable testing time limits. If so, higher capacity test equipment, or a smaller
test section may be necessary.
If possible, test medium and test section temperatures should be less
than 100
0
F (38
0
C). At temperatures above 100
0
F (38
0
C), reduced test
pressure is required. Before applying test pressure, time may be required
for the test medium and the test section to temperature equalize. Contact
the pipe manufacturer for technical assistance with elevated temperature
pressure testing.
References
The following reference publications provide pressure testing information:
ASME B31.1 Power Piping, Section 137, Pressure Tests. (Ref. 6)
PPI TR-31 Underground Installation of Polyolefin Piping, Section 7,
System Testing. (Ref 1)
ASTM F 1417, Standard Test Method for Installation Acceptance of
Plastic Gravity Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air. (Ref. 7)
Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association Standard, Uni-b-6-90 Recommended
Practice for Low-Pressure Air Testing of Installed Sewer Pipe.
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 22
The piping manufacturer should be consulted before using pressure
testing procedures other than those presented here. Other pressure testing
procedures may or may not be applicable depending upon piping products
and/or piping applications.
Test Pressure
Test pressure may be limited by valves, or other devices, or lower pressure
rated components. Such components may not be able to withstand the
required test pressure, and should be either removed from, or isolated from
the section being tested to avoid possible damage to, or failure of these
devices. Isolated equipment should be vented.
For continuous pressure systems where test pressure limiting
components or devices have been isolated, or removed, or are not
present in the test section, the maximum allowable test pressure is
1.5 Times the system design pressure at the lowest elevation in the
section under test.
If the test pressure limiting device or component cannot be removed
or isolated, then the limiting section or system test pressure is the
maximum allowable test pressure for that device or component.
For non-pressure, low pressure, or gravity flow systems, consult the
piping manufacturer for the maximum allowable test pressure.
Test Duration
For any test pressure from 1.0 to 1.5 times the system design pressure,
the total test time including initial pressurization, initial expansion, and time
at test pressure, must not exceed eight (8) hours. If the pressure test is not
completed due to leakage, equipment failure, etc., the test section should
be de-pressurized, and allowed to relax for at least eight (8) hours before
bringing the test section up to test pressure again.
Pre-Test Inspection
Test equipment and the pipeline should be examined before pressure is
applied to ensure that connections are tight, necessary restraints are in-
place and secure, and components that should be isolated or disconnected
are isolated or disconnected. All low pressure filling lines and other items
not subject to the test pressure should be disconnected or isolated.
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 23
Hydrostatic testing
Hydrostatic pressure testing is preferred and is strongly recommended.
The preferred testing medium is clean water. The test section should be
completely filled with the test medium, taking care to bleed off any trapped
air. Venting at high points may be required to purge air pockets while the
test section is filling. Venting may be provided by loosening flanges, or by
using equipment vents. Re-tighten any loosened flanges before applying
test pressure.
Monitored Make-up Water Test
The test procedure consists of initial expansion, and test phases. During
the initial expansion phase, the test section is pressurized to the test pressure,
and sufficient make-up water is added each hour for three (3) hours to return
to test pressure. (Ref. 1)
Nominal Pipe Size, Make-Up Water Allowance
in (U.S. Gallons per 100 ft of Pipe)
1 Hour Test 2 Hour Test 3 Hour Test
1-1/4 0.06 0.10 0.16
1-1/2 0.07 0.10 0.17
2 0.07 0.11 0.19
3 0.10 0.15 0.25
4 0.13 0.25 0.40
5 0.19 0.38 0.58
5-3/8 0.21 0.41 0.62
6 0.3 0.6 0.9
7-1/8 0.4 0.7 1.0
8 0.5 1.0 1.5
10 0.8 1.3 2.1
12 1.1 2.3 3.4
13-3/8 1.2 2.5 3.7
14 1.4 2.8 4.2
16 1.7 3.3 5.0
18 2.0 4.3 6.5
20 2.8 5.5 8.0
22 3.5 7.0 10.5
24 4.5 8.9 13.3
26 5.0 10.0 15.0
28 5.5 11.1 16.8
Table III Test Phase Make-up Amount
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 24
Nominal Pipe Size, Make-Up Water Allowance
in (U.S. Gallons per 100 ft of Pipe)
1 Hour Test 2 Hour Test 3 Hour Test
30 6.3 12.7 19.2
32 7.0 14.3 21.5
34 8.0 16.2 24.3
36 9.0 18.0 27.0
42 12.0 23.1 35.3
48 15.0 27.0 43.0
54 18.5 31.4 51.7
63
After the initial expansion phase, about four (4) hours after pressuriza-
tion, the test phase begins. The test phase may be one (1), two (2), or three
(3) hours, after which a measured amount of make-up water is added to
return to test pressure. If the amount of make-up water added does not
exceed Table III values, leakage is not indicated.
Non-monitored Make-Up Water Test
The test procedure consists of initial expansion, and test phases. For
the initial expansion phase, make-up water is added as required to maintain
the test pressure for four (4) hours. For the test phase, the test pressure is
reduced by 10 psi. If the pressure remains steady (within 5% of the target
value) for an hour, no leakage is indicated.
Pneumatic Testing
WARNING: Compressed air or any pressurized gas used
as a test medium may present severe hazards to personnel
in the vicinity of lines being tested. Extra personnel
protection precautions should be observed when a gas
under pressure is used as the test medium.
WARNING: Explosive FailurePiping system rupture
during pneumatic pressure testing may result in the
explosive, uncontrolled movement of system piping, or
components, or parts of components. Keep personnel a
safe distance away from the test section during testing.
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 25
Pneumatic testing should not be used unless the Owner and the respon-
sible Project Engineer specify pneumatic testing or approve its use as an
alternative to hydrostatic testing.
Pneumatic testing (testing with a gas under pressure) should not be
considered unless one of the following conditions exists:
when the piping system is so designed that it cannot be filled with
a liquid; or
where the piping system service cannot tolerate traces of liquid
testing medium.
The testing medium should be non-flammable and non-toxic. The test
pressure should not exceed the maximum allowable test pressure for any
non-isolated component in the test section.
Leaks may be detected using mild soap solutions (strong detergent
solutions should be avoided), or other non-deleterious leak detecting fluids
applied to the joint. Bubbles indicate leakage. After leak testing, all soap
solutions or leak detecting fluids should be rinsed off the system with clean
water.
High Pressure Procedure
For continuous pressure rated pipe systems, the pressure in the test
section should be gradually increased to not more than one-half of the test
pressure, then increased in small increments until the required test pressure
is reached. Test pressure should be maintained for ten (10) to sixty (60)
minutes, then reduced to the design pressure rating, and maintained for
such time as required to examine the system for leaks.
Low Pressure Procedure
For components rated for low pressure service the specified rated test
pressure should be maintained for ten (10) minutes to one (1) hour, but not
more than one (1) hour. Test pressure ratings must not be exceeded.
Leakage inspections may be performed during this time. If the test
pressure remains steady (within 5% of the target value) for the one (1) hour
test time, no leakage is indicated.
Pressure testing of gravity-flow sewer lines should be conducted in
accordance with ASTM F 1417, Standard Test Method for Installation
Acceptance of Plastic Gravity Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air. (Ref. 7)
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 26
Initial Service Testing
An initial service test may be acceptable when other types of tests are
not practical, or where leak tightness can be demonstrated by normal service,
or when initial service tests of other equipment are performed. An initial
service test may apply to systems where isolation or temporary closures are
impractical, or where checking out pumps and other equipment affords the
opportunity to examine the system for leakage prior to full scale operations.
Test Procedure
The piping system should be gradually brought up to normal operating
pressure, and held at operating pressure for at least ten (10) minutes. During
this time, joints and connections should be examined for visual evidence of
leakage.
Non-Testable Systems
Some systems may not be suitable for pressure testing. These systems
may contain non-isolatable components, or temporary closures may not be
practical. Such systems should be carefully inspected during and after
installation. Inspections such as visual examination of joint appearance,
mechanical checks of bolt or joint tightness, and other relevant examinations
should be performed.
Disinfecting Water Mains
Applicable procedures for disinfecting new and repaired potable water
mains are presented in standards such as ANSI/AWWA C651, Disinfecting
Water Mains. (Ref. 8) ANSI/AWWA C651 uses liquid chlorine, sodium
hypochlorite, or calcium hypochlorite to chemically disinfect the main.
Disinfecting solutions containing chlorine should not exceed 12% active
chlorine, because greater concentration can chemically attack and degrade
polyethylene.
Considerations for Post Start-Up and Operation
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 27
Cleaning
Pipelines operating at low flow rates (around 2 ft/sec or less) may allow
solids to settle in the pipe invert. Polyethylene has a smooth, non-wetting
surface that resists the adherence of sedimentation deposits. If the pipeline
is occasionally subject to higher flow rates, much of the sedimentation will
be flushed from the system during these peak flows. If cleaning is required,
sedimentation deposits can usually be flushed from the system with high
pressure water.
Water-jet cleaning is available from commercial services. It usually
employs high pressure water sprays from a nozzle that is drawn through the
pipe system with a cable.
Pressure piping systems may be cleaned with the water-jet process, or
may be pigged. Pigging involves forcing a resilient plastic plug (soft pig)
through the pipeline. Usually, hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure is applied
behind the pig to move it down the pipeline. Pigging should employ a pig
launcher and a pig catcher.
A pig launcher is a wye or a removable spool. In the wye, the pig is fitted
into the branch, then the branch behind the pig is pressurized to move the
pig into the pipeline and downstream. In the removable pipe spool, the pig
is loaded into the spool, the spool is installed into the pipeline, and then the
pig is forced downstream.
WARNING: A pig may discharge from the pipeline with
considerable velocity and force. The pig catcher is a
basket or other device at the end of the line designed to
receive the pig when it discharges from the pipeline. The
pig catcher provides a means of safe pig discharge from
the pipeline.
WARNING: Soft pigs must be used with polyethylene pipe.
Scraping finger type or bucket type pigs may severely
damage a polyethylene pipe and must not be used
Commercial pigging services are available if line pigging is required.
Squeeze-Off
Squeeze-off (or pinch-off) is a means of controlling flow in smaller diameter
polyethylene pipe and tubing by flattening the pipe between parallel bars.
Flow control does not imply complete flow stoppage in all cases. For larger
Inspections, Tests and Safety Considerations
Page 28
pipes, particularly at higher pressures, some seepage is likely. If the situation
will not allow seepage, then it may be necessary to vent the pipe between
two squeeze-offs.
Polyethylene gas pipe manufactured to ASTM D 2513 is suitable for
squeeze-off; however, squeeze-off practices are not limited to gas
applications. Squeeze-off is applicable to polyethylene PE3408 and PE2406
pressure pipe up to 16" IPS, and up to 100 psi internal pressure. Larger
sizes and higher pressures may be possible, but suitable commercial
equipment is not presently available, so there is no demonstrated experience
with larger sizes or higher pressures.
WARNING: Squeeze-off is applicable ONLY to PE2406 and
PE3408 polyethylene pipe and tubing. The pipe or tubing
manufacturer should be consulted to determine if squeeze-
off is applicable to his product, and for specific squeeze-
off procedures.
Tools (Ref. 9)
Squeeze-off tools should have
parallel bars that are shaped to avoid pipe damage,
mechanical stops to prevent over-squeeze pipe damage,
safety mechanisms to prevent accidental release, and
a mechanism that controls the rate of closure, and the rate of
release.
Typical bar shapes are single round bars, twin round bars, or flat bars
with rounded edges. Other bar shapes may also be suitable so long as
edge radius requirements are met. See Table IV.
Positive mechanical stops between the bars are essential to prevent over
squeeze and pipe damage. The stops limit bar closure to 70% of twice the
maximum wall thickness. (Ref. 9) For DR or SDR sized polyethylene pipe
ONLY, (not tubing or schedule sized pipe), stop distance may be determined
by
g =1.568
D
DR