How to Test for Underground Leaks

9/8/2017

We have a project on a corporate campus that has a large and old (approximately 1940's) water main loop that serves multiple buildings' sprinkler systems. There has been a rupture within the past three years, and the owner is wondering what methods exist to test whether the pipes are leaking and how significant the leakage is. Any ideas?

Note: This is a Daily Discussion question submitted anonymously to us. Submit a Question or Discuss This Here.

2 Comments

9/12/2017 09:24:36 am

Start with a flow test at every hydrant. Study the results to see where there are any abnormal flows or pressures and then take it from there.

Joe Meyer link

10/3/2017 08:09:31 am

There's leakage detection companies that specialize in this, and they'd probably be able to better answer. From what I understand, the best option is to meter isolated lines to determine the water movement over time (leakage will be continuous, while testing and refilling systems will be a shorter duration demand).

If leakage is determined to exist, there are multiple forms of sound recording equipment that can determine leakage locations by the sound of water movement.

Free Signup

Subscribe and learn something new each day:

Community

Thank You to Our Top
October '20 Contributors!

1. SK
2. Franck
3. Dan W.
4. Jonathan 5. Casey M.

6. Sean
7. Colin L.
8. Mike
9. Jonathan J
10. Daniel G.

Your Post

SUBMIT A QUESTION

The Toolkit

Sprinkler Designer or Engineer?

Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more:

FREE 30-DAY TRIAL

GET THE TOOLKIT

Filters

Archives

January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
November 2016
October 2016
July 2016
June 2016
June 2015

Daily

Daily discussions are open-ended fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety questions submitted anonymously for the benefit of sharing expertise and learning from other perspectives. Anyone can submit a question here:

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Exam Prep

2020 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!)

PE Prep Series
(Available Now!)

2020 PE Prep Series
Current Leaderboard
(Click to enlarge)

PE Problems

Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.

Solutions are posted the day after posting.

Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications.

Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves.

RSS Feed

Home - About - Blog - Contact - Exam Prep - Store

Copyright © 2020 MeyerFire, LLC
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author shown and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a commission for orders placed elsewhere.