General Construction Specifications
SECTION 15992
PIPING SYSTEMS TESTING
PART 1 — GENERAL
1.01 Description
A. Scope: CONTRACTOR shall provide all tests necessary to demonstrate compliance with the Specifications, codes and regulations, which include water tests, air tests, and smoke tests as specified.
B. Related Work Specified Elsewhere:
All Sections of Division 15, Plumbing piping systems.
1.02 Quality Assurance
Requirements of Regulatory Agencies: Comply with the applicable requirements of the Standard Plumbing Code SBCCI.
1.03 Submittals
A. Submit a description of proposed testing methods, procedures, and apparatus to the ENGINEER for approval at least 48 hours in advance of testing.
B. Submit a test report for each test to the ENGINEER certifying the test pressure, duration of the test, and test performance of all installed piping.
PART 2 — PRODUCTS
2.01 General
Provide all necessary and materials, including gauges and pumps, to perform the testing operations.
PART 3 — EXECUTION
3.01 General
A. Conduct water, air and smoke tests as required, on all piping systems as specified below.
B. Conduct all tests in the presence of, and in a manner approved by the ENGINEER, all state and local authorities having jurisdiction. Repeat test for these authorities if requested by them.
C. Repair and retest all lines which do not pass the tests as specified herein.
D. Inspect all valves, joints, and specialties for tightness and for proper operation while under test pressure.
3.02 Water Test
A. Drainage and Vent System Piping:
1. Perform tests either on the entire system or on successive sections of the system.
2. Tightly close all openings except the highest opening of the system or section to be tested.
3. Fill the system or section with water to the point of overflow.
4. Test with a head of at least 10 feet of water, except for the uppermost 10 feet of the system.
5. Allow water to stand in the system for at least 15 minutes before inspecting.
6. Inspect the system or section for leaks, and repair any leaks found.
B. Cold, Hot, Distilled Water and Sample System Piping:
1. Water piping shall be tested and proved tight under a pressure not less than 1-1/2 times the working pressure under which it is to be used.
2. Potable water shall be used for testing potable water systems. Non-potable water may be used for testing non-potable water systems.
3.03 Air Test
Attach air compressor testing apparatus to any suitable opening after closing all other inlets and outlets. Force dehydrated oil-less compressed air, pressure dew point -40 F, into system until there is a uniform gauge pressure without the introduction of additional air. Required gauge pressures for drainage and vent piping (substitute for water test) 5 psi for 15 minutes.
3.04 Smoke Test
Finished Plumbing: Final test for gas and water tightness of the completed drainage and vent system:
A. Fill all traps with water.
B. Introduce a pungent thick smoke, produced by one or more smoke machines, into the system.
C. When the smoke appears at stack openings on the roof, close the system.
D. Maintain a pressure in the system equivalent to a one inch water column for the period of the inspection.
E. Inspect the system for leaks and repair any leaks found.
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