ASTM F1417-92(1998)

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An American National Standard
Designation: F 1417 – 92 (Reapproved 1998)
Standard Test Method for
Installation Acceptance of Plastic Gravity Sewer Lines Using
Low-Pressure Air
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1417; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope plastic Pipe and Fittings
D 3567 Practice for Determining Dimensions of Reinforced
1.1 This test method provides procedures for testing plastic
Thermosetting Resin Pipe (RTRP) and Fittings
pipe sewer lines, using low-pressure air to prove the integrity
F 412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
of the installed material and the construction procedures. Two
2.2 Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association Standard:
procedures are included to find the rate of air leakage—the
UNI-B-6-90 Recommended Practice for Low-Pressure Air
constant-pressure method and the time-pressure drop method.
Testing of Installed Sewer Pipe
1.2 This test method shall be performed on lines after all
connections and service laterals have been plugged and braced
3. Summary of Test Method
adequately to withstand the test pressure. The time between
3.1 Thesectionofthelinetobetestedisplugged.Air,atlow
completion of the backfill operation and low-pressure air
pressure, is introduced into the plugged line. The line passes
testing may be specified by the approving authority.
the test if the rate of air loss, as measured by pressure drop,
1.3 This test method also may be used as a preliminary test,
does not exceed a specified amount in a specified time.
which enables the installer to show the condition of a buried
Pressure drop may be determined by using Table 1 or Table 2,
line prior to final backfill, paving, and other construction
or calculated by use of the formulas in 9.1.
activities.
1.4 This test method is applicable to all gravity sewer lines
4. Significance and Use
made of thermoplastic pipe, reinforced thermosetting resin
4.1 This low-pressure air test detects damaged piping or
(RTRP) pipe, and reinforced plastic mortar (RPM) pipe,
improper jointing by measuring the rate at which air under
defined in Terminology D 883, D 1600, and F 412.
pressure escapes from an isolated section of sewer.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 The rate of air loss will indicate the presence or absence
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of damaged piping or leaking joints. This test method is not
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
intended to show total system water leakage limits and cannot
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
be used as a quantitative measure of leakage under service
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
conditions for infiltration or exfiltration.
precautionary statements, see Section 5.
NOTE 1—A finding of acceptable air loss specified in this test method
2. Referenced Documents
can be interpreted as an installation acceptance test in lieu of infiltration
or exfiltration test.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 828 Practice for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified Clay
4.3 This test method will ensure the best possible initial
Pipe Lines (4 to 12-in.)
condition and quality workmanship of all property-installed
C 924 Practice for Testing Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines by
sewer pipe.
Low-Pressure Air Test Method
5. Apparatus
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
5.1 Plugs—Mechanical or pneumatic type.
Plastics
5.2 Air Compressor—A properly calibrated portable, oil-
D 2122 Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermo-
free air source with a singular control panel containing a main
shut-off valve, pressure-regulating valve, 9 psig pressure-relief
valve, input pressure gage, and a continuous monitoring
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F-17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.62 on Sewer.
Current edition approved July 15, 1992. Published September 1992.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Available from Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, Suite 155, 2655 Villa Creek
Drive, Dallas, TX 75234.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1417 – 92 (1998)
TABLE 1 Minimum Specified Time Required for a 1.0 psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe Indicated forQ = 0.0015
NOTE 1—See Practice UNI-B-6-90.
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
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
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
TABLE 2 Minimum Specified Time Required for a 0.5 psig Pressure Drop for Size and Length of Pipe Indicated 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
Diameter, Time, Longer
Minimum
100 ft 150 ft 200 ft 250 ft 300 ft 350 ft 400 ft 450 ft
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
NOTE 2—The axial force on a plug at 4 psig internal pressure isF=P
pressure gage having a pressure range from 0 psi to at least 10
p D /4 lb, where D is the inside diameter in inches. Thus, the axial force
psi with minimum divisions of 0.10 psi and an accuracy of 6
on an 8-in. plug at the start of a properly-conducted test is over 200 lb.
0.04 psi.
Restraint systems must be designed to handle these forces with adequate
5.3 Rotameter, standard CFM reading with an accuracy of
safety factors. Every effort should be made to maintain backfill over the
62%.
pipe during air testing.
6.1.5 Aregulatororreliefvalvesetnohigherthan9psishall
6. Safety Precautions
be included on all pressurizing equipment.
6.1 This low-pressure air test may be dangerous to person-
nel if, through lack of understanding or carelessness, a line is
7. Preparation of the Line
overpressurized or plugs/caps are installed or restrained im-
7.1 Clean the section of sewer line to be tested by flushing
properly. It is extremely important that the various plugs be
or other means prior to conducting the low-pressure air test.
properly installed to prevent the sudden expulsion of a poorly
This cleaning serves to eliminate debris and produce the most
installed or partially inflated plug. Observe the following
consistent results.
minimum safety precautions:
6.1.1 No one shall be allowed in the manholes during
8. Procedures
testing.
6.1.2 Install and restrain all caps and plugs securely. 8.1 Isolatethesectionofsewerlinetobetestedbyinflatable
6.1.3 When lines are tested, it is mandatory that all the caps stoppers or other suitable test plugs.
and plugs be braced as an added safety factor. 8.1.1 Plug or cap the ends of all branches, laterals, tees,
6.1.4 Do not overpressurize the lines. Do not exceed 9.0 wyes,andstubstobeincludedinthetesttopreventairleakage.
psig. All plugs and caps shall be securely braced to prevent
F 1417 – 92 (1998)
blow-out. One of the plugs or caps should have an inlet tap, or 9. Test Time Calculations
other provision for connecting a hose to a portable air control
9.1 Test Time Criteria—No test section shall be accepted if
source.
air loss is more than a specified leakage rate (in cubic feet per
8.1.2 Connect the air hose to the inlet tap and portable air
minute per square foot) determined by the approving authority.
control source. The air equipment shall consist of necessary
9.2 Calculate all test times by the following formula:
valves and pressure gages to control an oil-free air source and
T 5 0.085DK/Q
the rate at which air flows into the test section to enable
monitoring of the air pressure within the test section.
where:
8.1.3 Add air slowly to the test section until the pressure T = shortest time allowed for the air pressure to drop 1.0
psig, s,
inside the pipe reaches 4.0 psig.
K = 0.000419 DL but not less than 1.0,
8.1.4 After the pressure of 4.0 psig is obtained, regulate the
Q = leak rate in cubic feet/minute/square feet of internal
air supply so that the pressure is maintained between 3.5 to 4.0
surface = 0.0015 CFM/SF,
psig for at least 2 min depending on air/ground temperature
D = measured average inside diameter of sewer pipe (see
conditions. The air temperature should stabilize in equilibrium
Method D 2122 and Practice D 3567), in., and
with the temperature of the pipe walls. The pressure will
L = length of test section, ft.
normally drop slightly until equilibrium is obtained; however,
Table 1 contains the specified minimum times required for a
a minimum of 3.5 psig is required.
1.00 psig pressure drop from a starting pressure of 3.5 psig to
8.2 Determine the rate of air loss by either the constant
a final pressure of 2.5 psig using a leakage rate of 0.0015
3 2
pressure method or the time-pressure drop method.
ft /min/ft of internal surface.
9.3 The total leakage from any test section shall not exceed
NOTE 3—All test pressures are measured as gage pressure, which is any
pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Since water produces a 625Q.
pressure of 0.43 psi for every foot of depth, air test pressures must be
9.4 Ifthepressuredrops1.0psigbeforetheappropriatetime
increased to offset the depth of ground water over the sewer line. If the
shown in Table 1 has elapsed, the air loss rate shall be
groundwaterlevelis2ftormoreabovethetopofthepipeattheupstream
considered excessive and the section of pipe has failed the test.
end, or if the air pressure required for the test is greater than 9-psi gage,
If the line fails the test, segmented testing may be utilized
the air test method should not be used. Before the air test method is used,
solely to find the location of leaks. Once leaks are located and
the ground water level should be lowered by pumping or dewatering.
repaired, retest the completed pipe installation to requirements
8.2.1 Constant Pressure Method—Add air until the internal
of this test method.
air pressure of the sewer line is raised to 4.0 psig and the test
9.5 For testing of long sections or sections of larger diam-
pipe section is stabilized as in 8.1. Release the pressure to 3.5
eter pipes, or both, a timed-pressure drop of 0.5 psig shall be
psig to run the constant pressure test. The air-flow rate in
used in lieu of a 1.0 psig timed-pressure drop. If a 0.5 psig
standard cubic feet per minute is read directly by a rotameter.
pressure drop is used, the appropriate required test time shall
Convert this air-flow rate to actual cubic feet per minute of air
be exactly one-half the values shown in Table 1. (See Table 2.)
leakingfromthetestsectionbyusingtheabsolutepressureand
temperature in the test section. The requirements for air loss NOTE 5—It is not necessary to hold the test for the entire period of time
in Table 1 or Table 2 when it is evident that the rate of air loss is zero or
under the constant pressure method shall be considered satis-
less than the allowable, and is authorized by the approving authority.
fied if the air loss does not exceed the specified leakage rate in
cubic feet per minute per square foot of internal pipe surface
9.6 If lateral or service lines are included in the test, their
area.
length may be ignored for computing required test time if the
8.2.2 Time-Pressure Drop Method—Air is slowly intro- test time requirements are met. The maximum permissible air
loss should not exceed 625Q. If the test section fails, time shall
duced into the section of pipe to be tested, until the air pressure
be recomputed to include all the lateral lengths using the
is raised to approximately 4.0 psi and the test pipe section is
following formula:
stabilized as in 8.1. Disconnect the air supply and decrease the
pressure to 3.5 psi before starting the test. Determine the time 2 2 2
D L 1D L 1. 1D L K
1 1 2 2 n n
T 5 0.085
F G
required for the pressure to drop from 3.5 psi to 2.5 psi, and
D L 1D L 1. 1D L Q
1 1 2 2 n n
compare this interval to the required time to decide if the rate
of air loss is within the allowable. Minimum holding times
where:
required by pipe diameter are shown in Table 1 and Table 2.
T = shortest time allowed for the air pressure to
NOTE 4—The time-pressure drop method assumes an atmospheric
drop 1.0 psig, s,
pressure of 14.7 psia. Locations of high altitude need compensation for K = 0.000419 (D L + D L + . + D L ), but
1 1 2 2 n n
variation in atmospheric pressure to maintain the same air leakage test
not less than 1.0,
criteria.
Q = 0.0015 CFM/SF,
D,D , etc. = nominal diameter of
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