ASME CODE REQMNT FOR PRESSURE TESTING
ASME CODE REQMNT FOR PRESSURE TESTING
(OP)
WHAT ARE THE CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESSURE TESTING THE CHILLED WATER AND HOT WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPING (CAMPUS STYLE UNDERGROUND PIPING) USED FOR COOLING AND HEATING LOADS TO VARIOUS BUILDINGS? IS HYDROTEST MANDATORY BY ANY GOVERNING CODE? OR CAN A PNEUMATIC AIR TEST BE USED? IF PNEUMATIC TEST IS USED, WHAT SHOULD BE THE MAXIMUM PRESSURE?





RE: ASME CODE REQMNT FOR PRESSURE TESTING
1 - Most water circuits are tested with water. You have to get the water in anyway, and bleed out any air, clean the pipes of debris and so on. You also need to spade-off, or isolate any equipment which may not be able to take the test pressure.
Hydrostatic testing is relative easy and effective.
2 - Air pressure, by contrast, can be dangerous in some circumstances. If a blind blows off it will go like a bullet and cause serious damage.
If the test is successful you have to get rid of the air again and replace it with water. Use air pressure with care.
RE: ASME CODE REQMNT FOR PRESSURE TESTING
Check out this thread:
Thread794-26767
Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas
All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.