ASME CODE REQMNT FOR PRESSURE TESTING

[bansi]

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?

 

[johnp]

Some Codes cover pressure testing, others don't. It it isn't stated then you have to set up your own criteria.

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.

 

[StressGuy]

Pneumatic testing is something to generally be avoided. You usually resort to it in cases where water is not readily available, or for large vapor systems that are impractical to design and support as full of liquid.

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.