air test

[newguy]

hi. could anyone explain what an air test refers to when testing gas pipe? i did a landlords check and the gas meter was removed just carcass in place , capped off etc etc. however another engineer said i should have done an air test on the installation pipework! he didnt seem to know himself and walked off!!

 

[twgas]

are you corgi - surely any gasman would know

 

[Agile]

You cannot do a landlords safety check without gas present!

Tony

 

[newguy]

for housing assocation. have to attended to make sure tenant hasnt installed meter since last visit

 

[muggles]

You cannot do a landlords safety check without gas present!

Tony

What he said. I would assume by air test he meant pressure test if it's new pipework, otherwise it's just the standard let-by and soundness tests.

 

[doitall]

The carcass pipework has to be be tested as per IGE/UP/1a, before the meter is in place.

 

[mattylad]

How do they do a pressure test on the pipework?
WOuld that be done using a small compressor & a pressure meter?

 

[muggles]

The carcass pipework has to be be tested as per IGE/UP/1a, before the meter is in place.

Close...it's IGE/UP/1B - 1A is for larger installations (over 0.035m3, or where the meter size is greater than 16m3/h), generally this is non-domestic, although of course some very large domestic properties are also covered by 1A. However, I doubt a Housing Association property is that big!

 

[Paul Barker]

You make yourself up a jig with a test nipple and some busen burner type control taps and spiggots. Pump up with a squashy rubber pumpy thingermyjigg like the one from a sphigmomanometer, then shut the taps to it and useing your guage on the test point you created test for a drop at 20 milibar (for natural gas) same way as if it were gas..

You can't test appliances though.

You could always take your own meter round with you to test appliances. (woops who said that?)

On a caravan site one year we had to rolly polly a 47k bottle around every static. right chaw, I never volunteered for that work again.

 

[kirkgas]

haven't got time to look so probably wrong!! but are we not meant to air test at 30mb?

 

[Paul Barker]

haven't got time to look so probably wrong!! but are we not meant to air test at 30mb?

You're probly right.

 

[doitall]

IGE/UP/IB only covers tightness testing

It does not cover Strength testing installation carcass pipework

 

[muggles]

IGE/UP/IB only covers tightness testing

It does not cover Strength testing installation carcass pipework

I knew that...duh

 

[Agile]

Pump up with a squashy rubber pumpy thingermyjigg like the one from a sphigmomanometer,

I prefer my unit with the integral compressor. Its a bit disconcerting when it decides there is not enough pressure and it has another go to a higher level! I hate hypertension!

Usually, I use a manually pressurised unit and Martha guesses whats required!

Tony

 

[CMairiD]

Another social housing dweeb here and a quick Q about air tests.

It's not unusual for our contractors to find no gas (and sometimes electric) on pre-pays at the annual gas safety inspection and service.

Usual practice is for them to do a tightness test with air and then cap off the meter with the tenant's permission. But I'm curious why an air test would be required if you are capping off the meter. Wouldn't whomever removes the cap would have the ultimately responsibility to ensure the tightness of the installation?