test pipe work

[bengasman]

Quite often, references and values are quoted from 30 years ago. What is safe for an old fashioned open vent system, is not necessarily good for sealed systems.
Standards for existing systems can also be lower than those for new systems.

 

[Onetap]

Why would you test to 10bar? Some fittings/valves have a maximum operating pressure of 10bar, so testing to 10 bar would be a bit foolish. You only need to test to 1 1/2 times working pressure.

BECAUSE SOME MANUFACTURERS OF plastic pipe systems specify a 10 bar pressure test as part of the installation procedure. For example, see P15 of this;

http://www.cabp.co.uk/acatalog/speedfit_guide.pdf

Note that anything that isn't rated to 10 bar should be disconnected. If you make a warranty claim for a failure, they may check the grip-ring indentations to see if a 10 bar test has been carried out; it usually hasn't. No test = not installed to manufacturer's recommendations = no pay out.

Otherwise, twice the working pressure is common for metal pipework. Copper pipe should take 10 bar without any drama.

 

[Bodd]

I should have mentioned 90% of the pipe work is geberit mepla press fit like say 3bar should be maximum so was thinking of going up to 6 bar.
More the point is how can it be dangerous. ?
Can I leave a test on over night on a empty property?
Anything else I should concern myself with?

Bod

 

[cantaloup63]

Dry/Air testing is more dangerous than hydrostatic testing since air can be compressed more than water and thus release a greater amount of energy.

 

[DeltaT2]

Oh FFS!!! Don't let the H&S pussies on here hear you talk about air pressure testing!! They'll exploid out their Hi-Vis vest!!

I mean why would air pressure testing be permitted when you can't buy any test equipment!!!???? Oh but wait a minute, you can buy it everywhere!!!.......Stay Safe!!!

 

[Dan Robinson]

Air testing is dangerous, just like driving...be careful. No one has said more than that Dick....come on....

 

[DeltaT2]

Air testing is dangerous, just like driving...be careful. No one has said more than that Dick....come on....

This country is turning into such a Nanny State, the wee grey men with the rulebooks are everywhere!!!.................Get a life! Air pressure testing is done by Plumbers on sites throughout the land, as is driving.......Vrooommmm!!!

 

[D_Hailsham]

Pressure testing piping systems says that you should normally not test with air, but if you do the pressure should be no more than 500mbar.

Water fittings should be tested at 1.5 times the normal working pressure.

10 bar is used for testing radiators in the factory.

 

[bengasman]

Oh dear, the resident armchair specialist and Google hero couldn't resist a burp.
Testing at 500 mbar.

 

[Onetap]

Oh dear, the resident armchair specialist and Google hero couldn't resist a burp.
Testing at 500 mbar.

The armchair specialist is quite right.

0.5 bar is ISTR the maximum pressure recommended by the HVCA and HSE for an initial pneumatic leak test, which is not to be confused with a pressure test. The safety precautions even for that are quite onerous. Their experts deem that pressure to be hazardous, but Dick Puller thinks he knows better, of course.

Young persons can hear some of the leaks at that pressure. I can't, 'cos my ears are knackered, so I use an ultrasonic leak detector.

The hydraulic pressure test, on a leak free system, is done to prove it will withstand the pressure. 1.5 times working pressure is recommended for water services (Water Regulations), 2 times working pressure is common on heating systems, 10 bar is specified by most plastic pipe manufacturers.

The persistence of Puller and others in clamouring for pneumatic tests is because they have no confidence in their own workmanship.

 

[bengasman]

Oh dear, the resident armchair specialist and Google hero couldn't resist a burp.
Testing at 500 mbar.

The armchair specialist is quite right.
0.5 bar is ISTR the maximum pressure recommended by the HVCA and HSE for an initial pneumatic leak test, which is not to be confused with a pressure test....

But the question was about a pressure test, so the answer was nonsensical, and therefore completely wrong as a solution to the problem.

 

[Norcon]

If your in the fridge game you'll be pneumatic testing copper tube to 30 bar or more.
The most I pumped a large supermarket system up too was 25bar. That was from a 250 bar charged ofn cylinder.
About 1000 brazed joints on that one and one leaker. Thats what you call skill.
When it holds that pressure for at least a week then you can be confident the refrigerant will stay where its meant to be and not up in the clouds.

 

[DeltaT2]

Oh dear, the resident armchair specialist and Google hero couldn't resist a burp.
Testing at 500 mbar.

The armchair specialist is quite right.

0.5 bar is ISTR the maximum pressure recommended by the HVCA and HSE for an initial pneumatic leak test, which is not to be confused with a pressure test. The safety precautions even for that are quite onerous. Their experts deem that pressure to be hazardous, but Dick Puller thinks he knows better, of course.

Young persons can hear some of the leaks at that pressure. I can't, 'cos my ears are knackered, so I use an ultrasonic leak detector.

The hydraulic pressure test, on a leak free system, is done to prove it will withstand the pressure. 1.5 times working pressure is recommended for water services (Water Regulations), 2 times working pressure is common on heating systems, 10 bar is specified by most plastic pipe manufacturers.

The persistence of Puller and others in clamouring for pneumatic tests is because they have no confidence in their own workmanship.

Some of us work in the real world, where tight deadlines are always an issue. A quick air test & the jobs a good en. No fannying around with water & pumping up a test rig till you've got wan.ers elbow. Some of these H&S Jobsworths should get their hands dirty, get out there & stop playing with themselves in their wee office all day!!!............

 

[D_Hailsham]

When it holds that pressure for at least a week then you can be confident the refrigerant will stay where its meant to be and not up in the clouds.

Many years a go I visited a nuclear power station while it was being constructed. Pipes were welded together and then the joint was X-rayed.

 

[DeltaT2]

When it holds that pressure for at least a week then you can be confident the refrigerant will stay where its meant to be and not up in the clouds.

Many years a go I visited a nuclear power station while it was being constructed. Pipes were welded together and then the joint was X-rayed.

That's common practice on steel pipe welding mate, in fact we've done it on Commercial Heating jobs. It's called the 'P45 Test' for Pipe Welders..............