pressure testing using a Rothenberger electric pump

[helenjb]

Hi all,

I'm going to be testing my newly installed (by me) heating pipework and rads on Sunday for which I've hired a Rothenberger pressure tester for the coming weekend. As a novice I'd appreciate a few tips if any of you have the time:

- the hire co tell me that I'll need to connect my own inlet hose (they say just a garden hose) to the tester. I plan to just buy a connector I can tighten onto a tap but how does it connect to the pump itself? Jubilee? Push fitting?

- the (very scant) instructions I've been emailed show the pressure hose connector going straight into a radiator but I want to connect it to the plastic piping at the start of my heating loop. Again I can't seem to find out what the connector on the pressure hose is. I need compression or push fit obviously, but I'm concerned it is fitted with a screw fitting. How can I adapt that if so?

- what psi should I test to? (let me know if you need more info on number of rads etc to answer that)

All help very gratefully received. I want to get this right first time!

Cheers,
Helen

 

[muggles]

Do you have a model number for the pump? Might be easier to help if we have that.

What make of plastic pipe do you have? Some manufacturers specify test procedures. In any case a minimum test pressure of 4.5 bar, 65psi, must be used. Note that plastic pipe cannot be connected to a boiler, the first metre must be in copper.

 

[helenjb]

It's just listed as a Rothenberger electric test pump 78 bar (1100psi). Can't find anything other than that (I don't pick it up until Sat unfortunately and the hire place is waiting for it to come in)

I've used 22mm JG Speedfit Polybutylene pipe.

Thanks for the copper tip, that end of connection is going to be in the hands of a heating engineer thankfully. He's just said that we have to pressure test our pipework so that he knows its good before he starts work (quite reasonably).

 

[picasso]

Its overkill using an electric tester on a first/one off job,(unless your house is absolutely massive) by the time you have sussed out how to use it you could have done the thing 3 times over using a hand one.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=iw8YT_20GM7EsgbU1ajGDQ&ved=0CEoQ8wIwAA

 

[helenjb]

ah thanks. Will 12 litres capacity be enough to test a loop with 4 rads through 3 rooms? (probably a dunce-ish question, sorry)

 

[picasso]

You just keep refilling the small tank

 

[helenjb]

of course *slightly embarrassed face*!

thanks

 

[Agile]

In most cases the mains water pressure can be used for pressure testing at no extra cost and in a few minutes!

I do have to say testing with air pressure prevents water damage if there are any leaks!

Tony

 

[linkyplumb]

John Guest Speedfit should be tested to:
2 bar for 2 minutes, then 10 bar for 10 minutes.
Have you used barrier pipe?

 

[helenjb]

thanks Tony. The house needs drylining and replastering so if there's a leak or two it won't be a problem!

thanks also linkyplumb for the info.

Much appreciated everyone.