5-Year Hydro (NFPA 25) Apply to Steel with CPVC?

6/4/2024

Per NFPA 25 there needs to be a hydrostatic test of fire department connection pipe every 5 years. It does specify pipe material that are exempt (CPVC).

Should I recommend a hydrostatic test of the 2-inch FDC feed if the pipe is walled in and connected to the CPVCc before and after the check valve?

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9 Comments

Pete H

6/4/2024 07:23:57 am

As per NFPA 25 (2023)
13.8.5 The piping from the fire department connection to the fire department check valve shall be hydrostatically tested at 150 psi for 2 hours at least once every 5 years
13.8.5.1 An acceptable test result shall be indicated by a pressure loss less than 5 psi and no visual signs of damage

A.13.8.5 The frequency of this tests correlates with the internal check valve inspection required every five years. When the check valve is removed for internal inspection, the fire department piping can be capped off and hydrostatically tested.

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14.2.1.1 An assessment of the internal condition of piping shall be conducted at a minimum of every 5 years or in accordance with 14.2.1.2 for the purpose of inspecting for the presence of foreign organic and inorganic material.

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I'm not seeing either of these extend an exemption for cpvc. Maybe I'm missing something.

Glenn Berger

6/4/2024 08:22:01 am

I looked at the 2 previous versions and did not come across the CPVC exception.

Anthony

6/4/2024 08:42:00 am

More testing is better than less testing. It's also a billable item so go get paid for the work.

Matthew Mueller

6/4/2024 08:51:28 am

Pete H. is spot on. There is no exemption for hydro testing due to pipe material. There may be confusion as to the internal assessment of the pipe as non-metalic pipe does not require internal assessment. Chapter 14 goes on to state: 14.2.1.5 Nonmetallic pipe shall not be required to comply with Section 14.2.

Pete H

6/4/2024 08:58:42 am

Thank you, Matt.

Okay, so 14 has the exemption.

But that does not apply to 13.8.5.

Awesome, thank you again.

Jack G

6/4/2024 11:32:24 am

The “ functionality test” —hydro as explained above is for preventive maintenance of the system.
System Integrity And blockages can be detected thru the hydro.
Plastic pipe can have a downside— bad glue joints or joints held together by hangers, or piping left in the sun too long before installing may get brittle.
Owners should welcome this test.

[email protected]

6/4/2024 01:34:07 pm

25 has the hydro-testing requirements and I'm not familiar with an exemption for CPVC.

Dominic Colletti

6/7/2024 08:29:36 am

I agree that there is no exemption for the hydro test for CPVC.

Randy Kimbro

6/10/2024 02:17:54 pm

As a fire inspector AHJ, our firefighters are going to pump into that FDC at least at 150psi. So common sense says it should be hydro tested no matter what the piping material is made of. I also know of no exception for CPVC FDC's.

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5-Year Hydro (NFPA 25) Apply to Steel with CPVC?

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