ASTM F2164-18

Standard Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) and Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Piping Systems Using Hydrostatic Pressure

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 If required by the authority having jurisdiction, hydrostatic pressure leak testing may be conducted to discover and correct leaks or faults in a newly constructed or modified polyethylene or crosslinked polyethylene pressure piping system before placing the system in service. Leakage or faults usually occur at connections, joints, and mechanical seals where sealing under pressure is required. (Warning—Safety is of paramount importance when conducting hydrostatic pressure leak tests because testing under pressure may cause sudden violent rupture or failure.)  
5.2 This practice uses a pressurized liquid to test for leaks. It does not verify if a piping material or a piping system design is suitable for pressure service. The suitability of a piping system for pressure service and its pressure rating or operating pressure is determined solely by its design and its installed components.  
5.3 Systems that are not suitable for pressure testing should not be pressure tested. Such systems may contain lower pressure rated or non-pressure rated components that cannot be isolated from test pressure, or temporary caps or closures may not be practical. In these systems, leak inspections should be conducted during and after installation. Inspections typically include visual examination of joint appearance, mechanical checks of bolt or joint tightness, and other relevant examinations. See also Test Method F1417.  
5.4 Leakage Allowance—There is no leakage allowance for a section of heat-fusion joined polyethylene piping, because properly made heat fusion joints do not leak. See 7.6.1.  
5.4.1 Other types of joints or connections in the system may have a leakage allowance. Contact the joint or connection manufacturer for information.  
5.5 Expansion Allowance—When test pressure is applied, polyethylene or crosslinked polyethylene pipe will expand slightly due to elasticity and Poisson effects. To compensate for expansion, make-up water is added during the initial expansi...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides information on apparatus, safety, pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests of polyethylene and crosslinked polyethylene pressure piping systems by filling with a liquid and applying pressure to determine if leaks exist in the system.  
1.2 This practice does not address leak testing using a pressurized gas (pneumatic testing). For safety reasons, some manufacturers prohibit or restrict pneumatic pressure testing of their products. Failure during a pressure leak test can be explosive, violent, and dangerous, especially if a compressed gas is used. In a compressed gas test, both the pressure stress on the system and the energy used to compress the gas are released at a failure. For field leak testing using pressurized gas, see Practice F2786.  
1.3 This practice does not apply to leak testing of non-pressure, gravity-flow, negative pressure (vacuum), or non-thermoplastic piping systems. For field-testing of plastic gravity flow sewer lines, see Test Method F1417.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Additional safety information is presented in Section 7 and throughout this standard.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TB...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2018
• ICS: 23.040.20 - Plastics pipes
• Technical Committee: F17 - Plastic Piping Systems
• Drafting Committee: F17.40 - Test Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F2164 − 18
Standard Practice for
Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) and Crosslinked
Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Piping Systems Using
1
Hydrostatic Pressure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2164; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This practice provides information on apparatus, safety,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests
of polyethylene and crosslinked polyethylene pressure piping
2. Referenced Documents
systems by filling with a liquid and applying pressure to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
determine if leaks exist in the system.
D1600TerminologyforAbbreviatedTermsRelatingtoPlas-
1.2 This practice does not address leak testing using a
tics
pressurized gas (pneumatic testing). For safety reasons, some
F412Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
manufacturersprohibitorrestrictpneumaticpressuretestingof
F1417Practice for Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-
their products. Failure during a pressure leak test can be
pressure Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air
explosive, violent, and dangerous, especially if a compressed
F2786Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE)
gas is used. In a compressed gas test, both the pressure stress
Pressure Piping Systems Using Gaseous Testing Media
on the system and the energy used to compress the gas are
Under Pressure (Pneumatic Leak Testing)
released at a failure. For field leak testing using pressurized
2.2 Other Documents:
gas, see Practice F2786.
PPI TR-4-PPIListing of Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB),
1.3 This practice does not apply to leak testing of non-
Pressure Design Bases (PDB) and Minimum Required
pressure, gravity-flow, negative pressure (vacuum), or non-
Strength (MRS) Ratings for Thermoplastic Piping Mate-
3
thermoplastic piping systems. For field-testing of plastic grav-
rials
ity flow sewer lines, see Test Method F1417.
3. Terminology
1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1 Abbreviations and terms are in accordance with Termi-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
nology D1600 and Terminology F412 unless otherwise indi-
and are not considered standard.
cated.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 authority having jurisdiction, n—the organization,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
office, or individual responsible for “approving” equipment
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and installation, or a procedure.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The term “authority having jurisdic-
Additional safety information is presented in Section 7 and
tion” is used in this practice in a broad manner since jurisdic-
throughout this standard.
tionsand“approval”agenciesvary,asdotheirresponsibilities.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Where public safety is concerned, the “authority having
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
jurisdiction” may be a federal, state, local, or other regional
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
department or individual such as a Fire Chief, Fire Marshall,
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F2164–13. DOI: Available from Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), 105 Decker Court, Suite 825,
10.1520/F2164-18. Irving, TX 75062, http://www.plasticpipe.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2164 − 18
chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, building 4.3 The authority having jurisdiction may specif
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2164 − 13 F2164 − 18
Standard Practice for
Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) and Crosslinked
Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Piping Systems Using
1
Hydrostatic Pressure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2164; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice provides information on apparatus, safety, pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests of
polyethylene and crosslinked polyethylene pressure piping systems by filling with a liquid and applying pressure to determine if
leaks exist in the system.
1.2 This practice does not address leak testing using a pressurized gas (pneumatic testing). For safety reasons, some
manufacturers prohibit or restrict pneumatic pressure testing of their products. Failure during a pressure leak test can be explosive,
violent, and dangerous, especially if a compressed gas is used. In a compressed gas test, both the pressure stress on the system and
the energy used to compress the gas are released at a failure. Contact component manufacturers for information about testing with
gas under pressure.For field leak testing using pressurized gas, see Practice F2786.
1.3 This practice does not apply to leak testing of non-pressure, gravity-flow, negative pressure (vacuum), or non-thermoplastic
piping systems. For field-testing of plastic gravity flow sewer lines, see Test Method F1417.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Additional safety information is presented in Section 7 and throughout this
standard.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
F1417 Practice for Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-pressure Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air
F2786 Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Piping Systems Using Gaseous Testing Media Under
Pressure (Pneumatic Leak Testing)
2.2 Other Documents:
PPI TR-4-PPI Listing of Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB), Pressure Design Bases (PDB) and Minimum Required Strength
3
(MRS) Ratings for Thermoplastic Piping Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Abbreviations and terms are in accordance with Terminology D1600 and Terminology F412 unless otherwise indicated.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Aug. 1, 2018. Published April 2013August 2018. Originally approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 20102013 as
ε1
F2164–10–13. . DOI: 10.1520/F2164-13.10.1520/F2164-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), 105 Decker Court, Suite 825, Irving, TX 75062, http://www.plasticpipe.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2164 − 18
3.2.1 authority having jurisdiction, n—the organization, office, or individual responsible for “approving” equipment and
installation, or a procedure.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
Th
...