HYDROSTATIC AND AIR TESTS

A. The Contractor shall hydrostatically pressure test all water pipe, reuse pipe, or sewer force main pipe installed as a part of this Project. All new gravity sewer pipe (PVC SDR 35) installed for gravity sanitary sewer service shall be air tested.

B. Hydrostatic pressure tests for sewer pipe shall be in accordance with Subsection 336.03.07.03.01 of Elko County’s adopted Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, 2012 Edition.

C. Air Pressure Tests for sanitary sewer pipe shall be in accordance with Subsection 336.03.07.04 Air Pressure Tests of Elko County’s adopted Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, 2012 Edition.

D. Water, sewer and reuse pressure pipe shall be pressure tested in accordance with Subsection 336.03.08 Pressure Line-Pressure and Leakage Tests of Elko County’s Adopted Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, 2012 Edition.

E. Guidelines for all HDPE pressure pipe hydrostatic pressure tests:

1. Leak testing may be conducted as specified by the Owner.

2. Joints may be exposed to inspect for leakage. Heat fusion joints must be properly cooled and inspected before pressure testing.

3. Testing may be conducted on the full system, or in sections between isolation valves. The test section size is determined by test equipment capability. If the pressurizing or pumping equipment is too small, it may not be possible to complete the test within allowable testing time limits. If so, higher capacity test equipment, or a smaller test section may be necessary.

4. Expansion joints and expansion compensators should be temporarily restrained, or isolated, or removed during the pressure test.

5. The temperature of the test medium and the pipe test section should be the same, and should be at ambient temperature. Before applying test pressure, allow time for the test medium and the pipe test section to equalize. At temperatures above 100°F (38°C), test pressure must be reduced.

6. Pipe system pressure testing is performed to discover unacceptable faults in a piping system, pressure testing may cause such faults to fail by leaking or rupturing.

7. Test equipment should be examined before pressure is applied to insure that it is tightly connected. All low pressure filling lines and other items not subject to the test pressure should be disconnected or isolated.

8. Take suitable precautions to eliminate hazards to personnel near lines being tested. Keep personnel a safe distance away from the test section during testing.

F. References:

1. The following reference publications provide pressure testing information:

ASME B31.1 Power Piping, Section 137, Pressure Tests; PPI TR-31, Underground Installation of Polyethylene Piping, Section 7. System Testing; and ASTM F1417, Standard Test Method for Installation Acceptance of Plastic Gravity Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air.

2. The manufacturer should be consulted before using pressure testing procedures other than those presented herein. Other pressure testing procedures may or may not be applicable depending upon piping products and/or piping applications.

G. Test pressure:

1. Test pressure may be limited by valves, or other lower pressure rated components. Such components may not withstand the required test pressure. They should be either removed, or isolated from the test section to avoid possible damage, or failure to these devices. Isolated equipment should be vented.

2. For pressure piping systems the maximum allowable test pressure is 1½ times the system design operating pressure at the lowest point in the section under test, provided that test pressure limiting components or devices have been isolated, or removed from the test section.

3. The hydrostatic pressure test shall not exceed the pressure rating of the

Pipe, Valves, Fittings and Accessories 02623-9 6. For non-pressure, low pressure, or gravity flow (intermittent pressure)

systems, consult the manufacturer for information regarding maximum allowable test pressure.

H. Test duration:

1. For any test pressure from 1¼ to 1½ times the system operating design pressure but shall not exceed the pressure rating of pipe material to be pressure tested, the total test time including initial pressurization, initial expansion, and time at test pressure, must be at least 2 hours but not exceed eight (8) hours. If the test is not completed due to leakage, equipment failure, etc., depressurize the test section, then allow it to "relax"

for at least eight (8) hours before bringing the test section up to test pressure again.

A. General procedures:

1. Piping system pressure testing using hydrostatic procedures is recommended. The testing medium shall be clean water, but other liquids may be suitable. The test section should be completely filled with liquid.

Take care to bleed off any trapped air. While the test section is filling, venting at high points may be necessary to purge air pockets. Venting may be provided by loosening flanges, or by using equipment vents. Re-tighten any loosened flanges before applying test pressure.

2. Monitored make-up water test:

a. The test procedure consists of initial expansion, and test phases.

During the initial expansion phase, the test section is pressurized to the test pressure, and enough make-up liquid is added each hour for three (3) hours to return to test pressure.

b. The test phase follows immediately, and may be one (1), two (2), or three (3) hours. At the end of the test time, the test section is returned to test pressure by adding a measured amount of liquid. If the amount of make-up liquid added does not exceed Table 1 values, leakage is not indicated.

3. Non-monitored make-up water test:

a. The test procedure consists of initial expansion, and test phases.

For the initial expansion phase, make-up water is added as required to maintain the test pressure for three (3) hours. For the test phase, the test pressure is reduced by 10 psi. If the pressure remains steady (within 5% of the target value) for an hour, no leakage is indicated.

PART 4 BASIS OF PAYMENT 4.01 BASIS OF PAYMENT

The basis of payment for work described under this section shall be in accordance with the Contractor's lump sum or unit price bid for water transmission main, water pipe, reuse pipe, sewer pipe, or sewer force main pipe. The Contractor shall include all related labor, equipment, and materials required to construct this work as specified and as shown on the Project Construction Drawings in the bid proposal price. All pipe fittings, valves, installation requirements, pipe bedding, pipe backfill, and hydrostatic & pressure tests shall be included in the Contractor’s bid price for each category of pipe. No additional payment shall be made, by the Owner, to complete the work as specified.

END OF SECTION

SECTION 03200

CONCRETE STEEL REINFORCEMENT