Compressed Gasses with Hydrostatic Testing?

10/31/2019

Question about doing hydrostatic testing using compressed gas such as nitrogen rather than using a test pump. Do you know of restrictions to using compressed gas by the standard?

I know there are “other” safety issues when working with compressed gases. Just asking about using high pressure gas for the acceptance test.

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3 Comments

Mark H

10/31/2019 10:51:44 am

If you mean filling system with water and then using nitrogen to pressurize to 200 PSI or higher test pressure that is common. If you are talking pressurizing to 200 PSI with nitrogen only do not recommend. Safety and quantity of nitrogen issues.

Doug

11/3/2019 11:45:38 am

I'm a 25 year veteran in the sprinkler industry. I've seen the aftermath of three separate incidents after nitrogen was used to boost the pressure for testing.
The first resulted in the death of an apprentice plumber working on a job I had left less than an hour before.
The second blew sand rocks and debris out of the trench and damaged a couple trucks.
The third almost killed an apprentice fitter, when a 6" blind flange blew off hitting him in the face. He went through numerous reconstructive surgeries. His life is forever changed.
All three incidents were caused by plumbing contractors using nitrogen.
I use air at low pressure 40 psi or less to make sure the system has no large leaks, but never more than 40 psi.

Paul Sherwood link

11/4/2019 11:12:00 am

Doug,
Thank you for sharing your experiences, hopefully lives will be saved because you took the time to enlighten everyone.
Best Regards, Paul

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Compressed Gasses with Hydrostatic Testing?

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