ASTM F1417-11a(2019)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-pressure Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air
Standard Practice for Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-pressure Sewer Lines Using Low-Pressure Air
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This low-pressure air testing practice detects damaged piping or improper jointing by measuring the rate at which air under pressure escapes from an isolated section of sewer.
4.2 The rate of air loss indicates the presence or absence of damaged piping or leaking joints. This practice is not intended to show total system water leakage limits and shall not be used as a quantitative measure of leakage under service conditions for infiltration or exfiltration.
Note 1: A finding of acceptable air loss specified in this practice can be interpreted as an installation acceptance test in lieu of infiltration or exfiltration testing.
4.3 This practice provides assurance of initial condition and quality of workmanship of properly-installed sewer pipe.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides procedures for testing non-pressure plastic pipe sewer lines, using low-pressure air to prove the integrity of the installed material and the construction procedures. Two procedures are included to find the rate of air leakage—the constant-pressure method and the time-pressure drop method.
1.2 This practice is performed on lines after all connections and service laterals have been plugged and braced adequately to withstand the test pressure. The time between completion of the backfill operation and low-pressure air testing may be specified by the approving authority.
1.3 This practice is used as a preliminary test, which enables the installer to show the condition of a buried line prior to final backfill, paving, and other construction activities.
1.4 This practice is applicable to all non-pressure sewer lines made of thermoplastic pipe, reinforced thermosetting resin (RTRP) pipe, and reinforced plastic mortar (RPM) pipe, defined in Terminology D883, D1600, and F412.
1.5 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.
1.6 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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 5.
1.7 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.
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Designation: F1417 − 11a (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-pressure Sewer Lines
Using Low-Pressure Air
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1417; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice provides procedures for testing non- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
pressure plastic pipe sewer lines, using low-pressure air to C828 Test Method for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified
provetheintegrityoftheinstalledmaterialandtheconstruction Clay Pipe Lines
procedures. Two procedures are included to find the rate of air C924 Practice for Testing Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines by
leakage—the constant-pressure method and the time-pressure Low-Pressure Air Test Method (Withdrawn 2013)
drop method. D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
1.2 This practice is performed on lines after all connections
tics
and service laterals have been plugged and braced adequately
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther-
to withstand the test pressure. The time between completion of
moplastic Pipe and Fittings
the backfill operation and low-pressure air testing may be
D3567 Practice for Determining Dimensions of “Fiberglass”
specified by the approving authority.
(Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Resin) Pipe and
1.3 Thispracticeisusedasapreliminarytest,whichenables
Fittings
the installer to show the condition of a buried line prior to final
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
backfill, paving, and other construction activities.
2.2 Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association Standard:
1.4 This practice is applicable to all non-pressure sewer UNI-B-6 Recommended Practice for Low-PressureAirTest-
lines made of thermoplastic pipe, reinforced thermosetting ing of Installed Sewer Pipe
resin (RTRP) pipe, and reinforced plastic mortar (RPM) pipe,
3. Summary of Practice
defined in Terminology D883, D1600, and F412.
3.1 Thesectionofthelinetobetestedisplugged.Air,atlow
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
pressure, is introduced into the plugged line. The line passes
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
the test if the rate of air leakage, as measured by a constant-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
pressure method or a time-pressure drop method. The rate of
and are not considered standard.
air leakage may be determined by using Table 1 or Table 2,or
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
calculated by use of the equations in Section 9.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 This low-pressure air testing practice detects damaged
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
piping or improper jointing by measuring the rate at which air
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 5.
under pressure escapes from an isolated section of sewer.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 The rate of air loss indicates the presence or absence of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
damaged piping or leaking joints. This practice is not intended
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
to show total system water leakage limits and shall not be used
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic the ASTM website.
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.62 on Sewer. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally www.astm.org.
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F1417–11a(2015). Available from Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, 2711 Lyndon B. Johnson
DOI: 10.1520/F1417-11AR19. Freeway, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75234, http://www.uni-bell.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
F1417 − 11a (2019)
TABLE 1 Minimum Time for a 1.0-psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe forQ = 0.0015
NOTE 1—See Practice UNI-B-6.
NOTE 2—Consult with pipe and appurtenance manufacturer for maximum test pressure for pipe size greater than 30 in. in diameter.
Length Specification Time for Length (L) Shown, min:s
Pipe Minimum Time for
for
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
in. min:s Length, s
Time, ft
4 3:46 597 0.380 L 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46
6 5:40 398 0.854 L 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:42 6:24
8 7:34 298 1.520 L 7:34 7:34 7:34 7:34 7:36 8:52 10:08 11:24
10 9:26 239 2.374 L 9:26 9:26 9:26 9:53 11:52 13:51 15:49 17:48
12 11:20 199 3.418 L 11:20 11:20 11:24 14:15 17:05 19:56 22:47 25:38
15 14:10 159 5.342 L 14:10 14:10 17:48 22:15 26:42 31:09 35:36 40:04
18 17:00 133 7.692 L 17:00 19:13 25:38 32:03 38:27 44:52 51:16 57:41
21 19:50 114 10.470 L 19:50 26:10 34:54 43:37 52:21 61:00 69:48 78:31
24 22:40 99 13.674 L 22:47 34:11 45:34 56:58 68:22 79:46 91:10 102:33
27 25:30 88 17.306 L 28:51 43:16 57:41 72:07 86:32 100:57 115:22 129:48
30 28:20 80 21.366 L 35:37 53:25 71:13 89:02 106:50 124:38 142:26 160:15
33 31:10 72 25.852 L 43:05 64:38 86:10 107:43 129:16 150:43 172:21 193:53
36 34:00 66 30.768 L 51:17 76:55 102:34 128:12 153:50 179:29 205:07 230:46
42 39:48 57 41.883 L 69:48 104:42 139:37 174:30 209:24 244:19 279:13 314:07
48 45:34 50 54.705 L 91:10 136:45 182:21 227:55 273:31 319:06 364:42 410:17
54 51:02 44 69.236 L 115:24 173:05 230:47 288:29 346:11 403:53 461:34 519:16
60 56:40 40 85.476 L 142:28 213:41 284:55 356:09 427:23 498:37 569:50 641:04
TABLE 2 Minimum Time for a 0.5-psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe forQ = 0.0015
NOTE 1—Consult with pipe and appurtenance manufacturer for maximum test pressure for pipe size greater than 30 in. in diameter.
Length Specification Time for Length (L) Shown, min:s
Pipe Minimum Time for
for
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
in. min:s Length, s
Time, ft
4 1:53 597 0.190 L 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53
6 2:50 398 0.427 L 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:51 3:12
8 3:47 298 0.760 L 3:47 3:47 3:47 3:47 3:48 4:26 5:04 5:42
10 4:43 239 1.187 L 4:43 4:43 4:43 4:57 5:56 6:55 7:54 8:54
12 5:40 199 1.709 L 5:40 5:40 5:42 7:08 8:33 9:58 11:24 12:50
15 7:05 159 2.671 L 7:05 7:05 8:54 11:08 13:21 15:35 17:48 20:02
18 8:30 133 3.846 L 8:30 9:37 12:49 16:01 19:14 22:26 25:38 28:51
21 9:55 114 5.235 L 9:55 13:05 17:27 21:49 26:11 30:32 34:54 39:16
24 11:20 99 6.837 L 11:24 17:57 22:48 28:30 34:11 39:53 45:35 51:17
27 12:45 88 8.653 L 14:25 21:38 28:51 36:04 43:16 50:30 57:42 64:54
30 14:10 80 10.683 L 17:48 26:43 35:37 44:31 53:25 62:19 71:13 80:07
33 15:35 72 12.926 L 21:33 32:19 43:56 53:52 64:38 75:24 86:10 96:57
36 17:00 66 15.384 L 25:39 38:28 51:17 64:06 76:55 89:44 102:34 115:23
42 19:54 57 20.942 L 34:54 52:21 69:49 87:15 104:42 122:10 139:37 157:04
48 22:47 50 27.352 L 45:35 68:23 91:11 113:58 136:46 159:33 182:21 205:09
54 25:31 44 34.618 L 57:42 86:33 115:24 144:15 173:05 201:56 230:47 259:38
60 28:20 40 42.738 L 71:14 106:51 142:28 178:05 213:41 249:18 284:55 320:32
as a quantitative measure of leakage under service conditions pressuregaugehavingapressurerangefrom0psitoatleast10
for infiltration or exfiltration. psi with minimum divisions of 0.10 psi and an accuracy of
60.04 psi.
NOTE 1—A finding of acceptable air loss specified in this practice can
be interpreted as an installation acceptance test in lieu of infiltration or
5.3 Rotameter, standard CFM reading with an accuracy of
exfiltration testing.
62%.
4.3 This practice provides assurance of initial condition and
5.4 Time Measuring Equipment—A stopwatch or watch
quality of workmanship of properly-installed sewer pipe.
with a second hand or digital readout in minutes and seconds
with an accuracy of 0.1.s.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Plugs—Mechanical or pneumatic type. 6. Safety Precautions
5.2 Air Compressor—A properly calibrated portable, oil- 6.1 This low-pressure air testing practice may be dangerous
free air source with a singular control panel containing a main to personnel if, through lack of understanding or carelessness,
shut-off valve, pressure-regulating valve, 9-psig pressure-relief a line is over-pressurized or plugs/caps are installed or re-
valve, input pressure gauge, and a continuous monitoring strained improperly. It is extremely important that the various
F1417 − 11a (2019)
is used, the ground water level should be lowered by pumping or
plugsbeproperlyinstalled,restrainedandbracedtopreventthe
dewatering.
suddenexpulsionofapoorlyinstalledorpartiallyinflatedplug.
Observe the following minimum safety precautions:
8.2.1 Constant Pressure Method—Add air until the internal
6.1.1 Duringtesting,nooneshallbeallowedinmanholesor
air pressure of the test section is raised to 4.0 psig and the test
in the possible path of a suddenly expelled cap or plug.
section is stabilized as in 8.1. Reduce pressure to 3.5 psig to
6.1.2 Install and restrain all caps and plugs securely.
run the constant pressure test. The air-flow rate in standard
6.1.3 When lines are tested, it is mandatory that all the caps
cubic feet per minute is read directly by a rotameter. Convert
and plugs shall be braced as an added safety factor.
this air-flow rate to actual cubic feet per minute of air leaking
6.1.4 Do not over-pressurize the lines. Do not exceed 9.0
from the test section by using the absolute pressure and
psig.
temperature in the test section. The requirements for air loss
under the constant pressure method shall be considered satis-
NOTE 2—The axial force on a plug at 9 psig internal pressure isF=P
fied if the air loss does not exceed the specified leakage rate in
π D /4 lb, where D is the inside diameter in inches. For example, the axial
force on an 30-in. plug at 9.0 psig maximum allowable pressure is over cubic feet per minute per square foot of internal pipe surface
6 300 lb. Restraint systems must be designed to handle these forces with
area.
adequate safety factors. Every effort should be made to maintain backfill
8.2.2 Time-Pressure Drop Method—Air is slowly intro-
over the pipe during air testing.
duced into the test section, until the air pressure is raised to
6.1.5 Aregulatororreliefvalvesetnohigherthan9psishall
approximately4.0psiandthetestsectionisstabilizedasin8.1.
be included on all pressurizing equipment.
Disconnect the air supply and decrease the pressure to 3.5 psi
before starting the test. Determine pressure drap time per
7. Preparation of the Line
8.2.2.1 and 8.2.2.2.
7.1 Clean the section of sewer line to be tested by flushing
8.2.2.1 1.0 psig pressure drop—Determinethetimerequired
or other means prior to conducting the low-pressure air test.
for the pressure to drop from 3.5 psi to 2.5 psi, and compare
This cleaning serves to eliminate debris and produce consistent
this interval to the minimum time for the pipe diameter and the
results.
length per Table 1. If the rate of air loss is greater than or equal
totheminimumtimeforthepipediameterandlengthperTable
8. Procedures
1, the installation is acceptable.
8.1 Isolatethesectionofsewerlinetobetestedbyinflatable
8.2.2.2 0.5 psig pressure drop—Determinethetimerequired
stoppers or other suitable test plugs or caps.
for the pressure to drop from 3.5 psi to 3.0 psi, and compare
8.1.1 Theendsofallbranches,laterals,tees,wyes,andstubs
this interval to the minimum time for the pipe diameter and
included in the test section shall be plugged or capped to
length per Table 2. If the rate of air loss is greater than or equal
prevent air leakage.All plugs and caps shall be securely braced
totheminimumtimeforthepipediameterandlengthperTable
to prevent blow-out. One of the plugs or caps shall have an
2, the installation is acceptable.
inlet tap, or other provision for connecting an air hose to a
NOTE 4—The time-pressure drop method assumes an atmospheric
portable air control source.
pressure of 14.7 psia. Locations of high altitude need compensation for
8.1.2 Connecttheairhosetotheinlettapandtotheportable
variation in atmospheric pressure to maintain the same air leakage test
air source and control equipment. The air equipment shall
criteria.
consist of necessary valves and pressure gages to control an
8.3 Upon completion of the test, open the bleeder valve and
oil-freeairsource,tocontroltherateatwhichairflowsintothe
allow all air to escape. Caps and plugs shall not be removed
test section, and to enable monitoring of the air pressure within
until all air pressure in the test section has been reduced to
the test section.
atmospheric pressure.
8.1.3 Add air slowly to the test section until the pressure
inside the test section reaches 4.0 psig.
9. Test Time Calculations
8.1.4 After the pressure of 4.0 psig is obtained, regulate the
air supply so that the pressure is maintained between 3.5 to 4.0
9.1 Test Time Criteria—No test section shall be accepted if
psig for at least 2 min. Depending on air/ground temperature
air loss is more than a specified leakage rate (in cubic feet per
conditions, the internal air temperature will stabilize in equi-
minute per square foot) determined by the approving authority.
librium with the temperature of the pipe walls. The pressure
9.2 Calculate all test times by the following equation:
will normally drop slightly until equilibrium is obtained;
T 5 0.085 DK/Q
however, a minimum of 3.5 psig is required.
8.2 After equilibrium is obtained, determine the rate of air where:
lossbyeithertheconstantpressuremethodorthetime-pressure
T = shortest time allowed for the air pressure to drop 1.0
drop method.
psig, s,
K = 0.000419 DL but not less than 1.0,
NOTE 3—All test pressures are measured as gauge pressure, which is
Q = leak rate in cubic feet/minute/square feet of internal
any pressure great
...
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: F1417 − 11a (Reapproved 2015) F1417 − 11a (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Installation Acceptance of Plastic Non-pressure Sewer Lines
Using Low-Pressure Air
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1417; 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 procedures for testing non-pressure plastic pipe sewer lines, using low-pressure air to prove the
integrity of the installed material and the construction procedures. Two procedures are included to find the rate of air leakage—the
constant-pressure method and the time-pressure drop method.
1.2 This practice is performed on lines after all connections and service laterals have been plugged and braced adequately to
withstand the test pressure. The time between completion of the backfill operation and low-pressure air testing may be specified
by the approving authority.
1.3 This practice is used as a preliminary test, which enables the installer to show the condition of a buried line prior to final
backfill, paving, and other construction activities.
1.4 This practice is applicable to all non-pressure sewer lines made of thermoplastic pipe, reinforced thermosetting resin (RTRP)
pipe, and reinforced plastic mortar (RPM) pipe, defined in Terminology D883, D1600, and F412.
1.5 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.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 5.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C828 Test Method for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
C924 Practice for Testing Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines by Low-Pressure Air Test Method (Withdrawn 2013)
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
D3567 Practice for Determining Dimensions of “Fiberglass” (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Resin) Pipe and Fittings
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
2.2 Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association Standard:
UNI-B-6 Recommended Practice for Low-Pressure Air Testing of Installed Sewer Pipe
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 The section of the line to be tested is plugged. Air, at low pressure, is introduced into the plugged line. The line passes the
test if the rate of air leakage, as measured by a constant-pressure method or a time-pressure drop method. The rate of air leakage
may be determined by using Table 1 or Table 2, or calculated by use of the equations in Section 9.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.62 on Sewer.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2019. Published November 2015September 2019. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20112015
as F1417F1417–11a(2015).–11a. DOI: 10.1520/F1417-11AR15.10.1520/F1417-11AR19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, 2711 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75234, http://www.uni-bell.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
F1417 − 11a (2019)
TABLE 1 Minimum Time for a 1.0-psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe for Q = 0.0015
NOTE 1—See Practice UNI-B-6.
NOTE 2—Consult with pipe and appurtenance manufacturer for maximum test pressure for pipe size greater than 30 in. in diameter.
Length Specification Time for Length (L) Shown, min:s
Pipe Minimum Time for
for
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
in. min:s Length, s
Time, ft
4 3:46 597 0.380 L 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46 3:46
6 5:40 398 0.854 L 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:42 6:24
8 7:34 298 1.520 L 7:34 7:34 7:34 7:34 7:36 8:52 10:08 11:24
10 9:26 239 2.374 L 9:26 9:26 9:26 9:53 11:52 13:51 15:49 17:48
12 11:20 199 3.418 L 11:20 11:20 11:24 14:15 17:05 19:56 22:47 25:38
15 14:10 159 5.342 L 14:10 14:10 17:48 22:15 26:42 31:09 35:36 40:04
18 17:00 133 7.692 L 17:00 19:13 25:38 32:03 38:27 44:52 51:16 57:41
21 19:50 114 10.470 L 19:50 26:10 34:54 43:37 52:21 61:00 69:48 78:31
24 22:40 99 13.674 L 22:47 34:11 45:34 56:58 68:22 79:46 91:10 102:33
27 25:30 88 17.306 L 28:51 43:16 57:41 72:07 86:32 100:57 115:22 129:48
30 28:20 80 21.366 L 35:37 53:25 71:13 89:02 106:50 124:38 142:26 160:15
33 31:10 72 25.852 L 43:05 64:38 86:10 107:43 129:16 150:43 172:21 193:53
36 34:00 66 30.768 L 51:17 76:55 102:34 128:12 153:50 179:29 205:07 230:46
42 39:48 57 41.883 L 69:48 104:42 139:37 174:30 209:24 244:19 279:13 314:07
48 45:34 50 54.705 L 91:10 136:45 182:21 227:55 273:31 319:06 364:42 410:17
54 51:02 44 69.236 L 115:24 173:05 230:47 288:29 346:11 403:53 461:34 519:16
60 56:40 40 85.476 L 142:28 213:41 284:55 356:09 427:23 498:37 569:50 641:04
TABLE 2 Minimum Time for a 0.5-psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe for Q = 0.0015
NOTE 1—Consult with pipe and appurtenance manufacturer for maximum test pressure for pipe size greater than 30 in. in diameter.
Length Specification Time for Length (L) Shown, min:s
Pipe Minimum Time for
for
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
in. min:s Length, s
Time, ft
4 1:53 597 0.190 L 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53 1:53
6 2:50 398 0.427 L 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:50 2:51 3:12
8 3:47 298 0.760 L 3:47 3:47 3:47 3:47 3:48 4:26 5:04 5:42
10 4:43 239 1.187 L 4:43 4:43 4:43 4:57 5:56 6:55 7:54 8:54
12 5:40 199 1.709 L 5:40 5:40 5:42 7:08 8:33 9:58 11:24 12:50
15 7:05 159 2.671 L 7:05 7:05 8:54 11:08 13:21 15:35 17:48 20:02
18 8:30 133 3.846 L 8:30 9:37 12:49 16:01 19:14 22:26 25:38 28:51
21 9:55 114 5.235 L 9:55 13:05 17:27 21:49 26:11 30:32 34:54 39:16
24 11:20 99 6.837 L 11:24 17:57 22:48 28:30 34:11 39:53 45:35 51:17
27 12:45 88 8.653 L 14:25 21:38 28:51 36:04 43:16 50:30 57:42 64:54
30 14:10 80 10.683 L 17:48 26:43 35:37 44:31 53:25 62:19 71:13 80:07
33 15:35 72 12.926 L 21:33 32:19 43:56 53:52 64:38 75:24 86:10 96:57
36 17:00 66 15.384 L 25:39 38:28 51:17 64:06 76:55 89:44 102:34 115:23
42 19:54 57 20.942 L 34:54 52:21 69:49 87:15 104:42 122:10 139:37 157:04
48 22:47 50 27.352 L 45:35 68:23 91:11 113:58 136:46 159:33 182:21 205:09
54 25:31 44 34.618 L 57:42 86:33 115:24 144:15 173:05 201:56 230:47 259:38
60 28:20 40 42.738 L 71:14 106:51 142:28 178:05 213:41 249:18 284:55 320:32
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This low-pressure air testing practice detects damaged piping or improper jointing by measuring the rate at which air under
pressure escapes from an isolated section of sewer.
4.2 The rate of air loss indicates the presence or absence of damaged piping or leaking joints. This practice is not intended to
show total system water leakage limits and shall not be used as a quantitative measure of leakage under service conditions for
infiltration or exfiltration.
NOTE 1—A finding of acceptable air loss specified in this practice can be interpreted as an installation acceptance test in lieu of infiltration or exfiltration
testing.
4.3 This practice provides assurance of initial condition and quality of workmanship of properly-installed sewer pipe.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Plugs—Mechanical or pneumatic type.
5.2 Air Compressor—A properly calibrated portable, oil-free air source with a singular control panel containing a main shut-off
valve, pressure-regulating valve, 9-psig pressure-relief valve, input pressure gauge, and a continuous monitoring pressure gauge
having a pressure range from 0 psi to at least 10 psi with minimum divisions of 0.10 psi and an accuracy of 60.04 psi.
F1417 − 11a (2019)
5.3 Rotameter, standard CFM reading with an accuracy of 62 %.
5.4 Time Measuring Equipment—A stopwatch or watch with a second hand or digital readout in minutes and seconds with an
accuracy of 0.1.s.
6. Safety Precautions
6.1 This low-pressure air testing practice may be dangerous to personnel if, through lack of understanding or carelessness, a line
is over-pressurized or plugs/caps are installed or restrained improperly. It is extremely important that the various plugs be properly
installed, restrained and braced to prevent the sudden expulsion of a poorly installed or partially inflated plug. Observe the
following minimum safety precautions:
6.1.1 During testing, no one shall be allowed in manholes or in the possible path of a suddenly expelled cap or plug.
6.1.2 Install and restrain all caps and plugs securely.
6.1.3 When lines are tested, it is mandatory that all the caps and plugs shall be braced as an added safety factor.
6.1.4 Do not over-pressurize the lines. Do not exceed 9.0 psig.
NOTE 2—The axial force on a plug at 9 psig internal pressure is F = P π D /4 lb, where D is the inside diameter in inches. For example, the axial force
on an 30-in. plug at 9.0 psig maximum allowable pressure is over 6 300 lb. Restraint systems must be designed to handle these forces with adequate safety
factors. Every effort should be made to maintain backfill over the pipe during air testing.
6.1.5 A regulator or relief valve set no higher than 9 psi shall be included on all pressurizing equipment.
7. Preparation of the Line
7.1 Clean the section of sewer line to be tested by flushing or other means prior to conducting the low-pressure air test. This
cleaning serves to eliminate debris and produce consistent results.
8. Procedures
8.1 Isolate the section of sewer line to be tested by inflatable stoppers or other suitable test plugs or caps.
8.1.1 The ends of all branches, laterals, tees, wyes, and stubs included in the test section shall be plugged or capped to prevent
air leakage. All plugs and caps shall be securely braced to prevent blow-out. One of the plugs or caps shall have an inlet tap, or
other provision for connecting an air hose to a portable air control source.
8.1.2 Connect the air hose to the inlet tap and to the portable air source and control equipment. The air equipment shall consist
of necessary valves and pressure gages to control an oil-free air source, to control the rate at which air flows into the test section,
and to enable monitoring of the air pressure within the test section.
8.1.3 Add air slowly to the test section until the pressure inside the test section reaches 4.0 psig.
8.1.4 After the pressure of 4.0 psig is obtained, regulate the air supply so that the pressure is maintained between 3.5 to 4.0 psig
for at least 2 min. Depending on air/ground temperature conditions, the internal air temperature will stabilize in equilibrium with
the temperature of the pipe walls. The pressure will normally drop slightly until equilibrium is obtained; however, a minimum of
3.5 psig is required.
8.2 After equilibrium is obtained, determine the rate of air loss by either the constant pressure method or the time-pressure drop
method.
NOTE 3—All test pressures are measured as gauge pressure, which is any pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Since water produces a pressure
of 0.43 psi for every foot of depth, air test pressures must be increased to offset the depth of ground water over the sewer line. If the ground water level
is 2 ft or more above the top of the pipe at the upstream end, or if the air pressure required for the test is greater than 9-psi gauge, this air testing practice
should not be used. Before this air testing practice is used, the ground water level should be lowered by pumping or dewatering.
8.2.1 Constant Pressure Method—Add air until the internal air pressure of the test section is raised to 4.0 psig and the test
section is stabilized as in 8.1. Reduce pressure to 3.5 psig to run the constant pressure test. The air-flow rate in standard cubic feet
per minute is read directly by a rotameter. Convert this air-flow rate to actual cubic feet per minute of air leaking from the test
section by using the absolute pressure and temperature in the test section. The requirements for air loss under the constant pressure
method shall be considered satisfied if the air loss does not exceed the specified leakage rate in cubic feet per minute per square
foot of internal pipe surface area.
8.2.2 Time-Pressure Drop Method—Air is slowly introduced into the test section, until the air pressure is raised to approximately
4.0 psi and the test section is stabilized as in 8.1. Disconnect the air supply and decrease the pressure to 3.5 psi before starting the
test. Determine pressure drap time per 8.2.2.1 and 8.2.2.2.
8.2.2.1 1.0 psig pressure drop—Determine the time required for the pressure to drop from 3.5 psi to 2.5 psi, and compare this
interval to the minimum time for the pipe diameter and the length per Table 1. If the rate of air loss is greater than or equal to the
minimum time for the pipe diameter and length per Table 1, the installation is acceptable.
8.2.2.2 0.5 psig pressure drop—Determine the time required for the pressure to drop from 3.5 psi to 3.0 psi, and compare this
interval to the minimum time for the pipe diameter and length per Table 2. If the rate of air loss is greater than or e
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