ASTM E1575-98

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1575–98
Standard Practice for
Pressure Water Cleaning and Cutting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1575; 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 3.1.2 high-pressure water cleaning, v—the use of high-
pressure water, with or without the addition of other liquids or
1.1 This practice covers the personnel requirements, opera-
solid particles, to remove unwanted matter from various
tor training, operating procedures, and recommended equip-
surfaces, where the pressure of the liquid jet exceeds 1005 psig
ment performance/design for the proper operation of all types
(6.9 MPa) at the orifice.
of pressure water-jet cleaning and cutting equipment as nor-
mally used by industries concerned with construction, mainte-
NOTE 1—Warning: The limit of 1005 psig (6.9 MPa) does not mean
nance, repair, cleaning, cutting, and demolition work. that pressures below 1005 psig (6.9 MPa) cannot cause injury or require
any less attention to the principles of this practice. Adequate precautions,
1.2 The term high-pressure water jetting covers all water
similar to those of this practice, are required at all pressures.
jetting, including the use of additives or abrasives at pressures
above 1005 psig (6.9 MPa).
3.1.3 high-pressure water cutting, v—the use of high-
1.3 Any person required to operate or maintain pressure
pressure water, with or without the addition of other liquids or
water-jetting equipment shall have been trained and have
solidparticles,topenetrateintothesurfaceofamaterialforthe
demonstrated the ability and knowledge to do so in accordance
purpose of cutting that material, where the pressure of the
with the original equipment manufacturer’s instructions, speci-
liquid jet exceeds 1005 psig (6.9 MPa) at the orifice.
fications, and training programs.
3.1.4 hose assembly, n—a hose with safety coupling at-
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
tached in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information
3.1.5 lance, n—a rigid metal tube used to extend the nozzle
only.
from the end of the hose.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.6 lancing, v—anapplicationwherebyalanceandnozzle
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
combination is inserted into, and retracted from, the interior of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
a pipe or tubular product.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.7 moleing, v—an application whereby a hose fitted
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Notes 1-8 and
either with a nozzle or with a nozzle attached to a lance is
Sections 8 and 11 for specific hazards statements.
inserted into, and retracted from, the interior of a tubular
product. It is a system commonly intended for cleaning the
2. Referenced Documents
internal surfaces of tubes, pipes, or drains. It can be self-
2.1 ANSI/IEEE Standard:
propelled by its backward directed jets and is manufactured in
957-1987 IEEE Guide for Cleaning Insulators
various shapes, sizes, and combinations of forward- and
backward-directed jets.
3. Terminology
3.1.8 nozzle, n—a device with one or more openings where
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the fluid discharges from the system. The nozzle restricts the
3.1.1 dump system, n—the discharge orifice operator-
area of flow of the fluid, accelerating the water to the required
controlled, manually operated device or system that reduces
velocity and shaping it to the required flow pattern and
the pressure to a level that yields a pressure flow at the nozzle
distribution for a particular application. Combinations of for-
that is considerably below the risk threshold.
ward and backward nozzles are often used to balance the
thrust. Such nozzles are commonly referred to as tips, jets,
orifices, etc.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-34 on Occupa-
3.1.9 operator, n—a person who has been trained in accor-
tional Health and Safety and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E34.03 on
High-Pressure Water Cleaning and Cutting.
dance with the original manufacturer’s instructional training
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 1998. Published June 1998. Originally
program and has demonstrated the knowledge, experience, and
published as E 1575 – 93. Last previous edition E 1575 – 93.
2 ability to perform the assigned task.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1575
3.1.10 operator trainee, n—a person not fully qualified due 5.1.1.3 Maximum performance, in terms of gallons per
to the lack of sufficient knowledge or experience, or both, to minute and pressure in pound-force per square inch, and
perform the assigned task without supervision.
5.1.1.4 An outline of recommended safety procedures and
3.1.11 pressure water jet system, n—water delivery systems
warnings.
that have nozzles or other openings whose function is to
5.2 Relief System—The system shall be equipped with an
increase the speed of liquids that may cause injury. Solid
automatic relief device on the discharge side of the pump and
particles or additional chemicals may also be introduced, but
an auxiliary relief dump device as part of the pump.
the exit in all cases will be in a free stream. The system shall
5.3 Relief System-Types—These may take the form of the
include the pumps (pressure-producing devices), hoses, lances,
following:
nozzles, valves, safety devices, and personal protective equip-
5.3.1 Pressure Relief Valve or Bursting Disk in Holder—
ment, as well as any heating elements or injection systems,
Usually mounted on the pump discharge chamber to prevent
attached thereto.
the pressure exceeding the rated maximum pressure of the
3.1.12 shotgunning, n—an application whereby a lance or
whole system.
nozzle combination can be manipulated in virtually all planes
5.3.2 Automatic Pressure Regulating Valve (Unloading
of operation.
Valve)—Limits the pressure at which the pump operates by
releasing a preset proportion of the generated flow back to the
4. Significance and Use
pump suction chamber or to waste. It may be used to regulate
the water pressure from the pump and is individually set for
4.1 This practice is intended to provide guidance on the
each operation. This device may be integral with the pump
proper operation of pressure water-jet cleaning and cutting
hydraulic assembly. Where there is no demand for pumpage,
equipment.
the pressure is brought down to zero.
4.2 This practice is also applicable at lower pressures where
5.3.3 Bypass Valve—Limits the pressure at which the pump
there is foreseeable risk of injury.
operates by releasing a preset proportion of the generated flow
4.3 This practice is provided to assist persons unfamiliar
back to the pump suction chamber or to waste. It may be used
with the operation of water-jet cleaning and cutting equipment
to regulate the water pressure from the pump and is individu-
in learning to correctly use the equipment.
allysetforeachoperation.Thisdevicemaybeintegralwiththe
4.4 Correct operation and use of the pressure water-jet
pump hydraulic assembly.
cleaning and cutting equipment is the responsibility of the
5.4 Pressure Gage—The system shall be equipped with a
operator and employer. After the operator has familiarized
gageindicatingthepressurebeingdeveloped.Gagesshallhave
himself with the identification of pressure metal fittings, hoses,
a scale range of at least 50 % above the maximum working
guns, and accessories in accordance with the original equip-
pressure of the system.
ment manufacturer’s specifications, instructions, and pro-
5.5 Filter or Strainer—The water system shall be equipped
grammed instructional material, hydrojetting may begin.
with a filter or strainer to prevent particles from restricting the
Modification of water-jetting equipment shall not be done
orifices in the nozzle. The strainer or filter shall be capable of
without prior written approval by the manufacturer of the
removing particles smaller in size than the smallest orifice in
equipment. Employees shall be instructed in the recognition
the nozzle and usually smaller to protect pumps and other
and avoidance of unsafe conditions.
components.
NOTE 2—Warning: Serious harm or injury may result from the misuse
5.6 Dry Shut-Off Control Valve—This operator-controlled
of water-jetting equipment and the use of improper fittings, hoses, or
valve, normally hand-controlled, automatically shuts off flow
attachments.
to the lance or nozzle assembly, or both, when released by the
4.5 The use of pressure water-jet equipment for cutting and
operator but retains the operating pressure within the supply
cleaning is a rapidly evolving technology. This practice will be
line when so shut off. This valve shall be used in systems with
periodically reviewed for any required changes at least every
an automatic pressure regulating valve.
five years.
5.6.1 Release the pressure in the dry shut-off valve and line
when the pump is shut down; otherwise, the valve operating
5. Apparatus
lever may remain alive. This valve may alternatively be
5.1 Pressurizing Pump—Aunit designed to deliver pressure actuated by solenoid or pilot pressure mechanism.
water or other fluid with or without chemicals or particle
5.7 Dump System—The system should be equipped with a
material.Thisisusuallybasedonpositivedisplacementpistons
device that will either shut down the unit, idle it to low
or rubber diaphragm/hydraulic systems and discharges water
revolutions per minute, bypass the flow, or reduce the dis-
into a common manifold in which either flexible hoses or rigid
charge pressure to a low level. The dump system shall be
tubing connect to lances and nozzles. These pumps can be
manually controlled only by the nozzle orifice operator. The
either mobile or permanently mounted.
dump system actuator device should be shielded to preclude
5.1.1 The pump shall have permanently mounted identifi- inadvertent operation. This device shall immediately shut off
cation plates or tags which provide the following information:
the pressure water stream if the operator loses control.
5.1.1.1 Product and supplier,
5.7.1 Dump Control Valve—An operator-controlled valve,
5.1.1.2 Production model and serial number, or year of normally hand-operated, that automatically terminates signifi-
production, cant flow to the lance or nozzle assembly, or both, when
E1575
released by the nozzle operator, thus relieving the operating 5.14 Foot Control Valve—The orifice operator’s control
pressure within the whole system by diverting the flow valve may be arranged for actuation by the operator’s foot if
produced by the pump to atmosphere. A valve size should be desired, either in place of, or in addition to, hand-control.
selected that will not cause generation of significant back
NOTE 5—Caution: An adequate guard shall be fitted to prevent acci-
pressure at the maximum possible pumping rate of the pump.
dental operation, and the base plate should be sufficient to ensure stability
This valve may alternatively be actuated by a solenoid or a
in use. If of the dump type, the layout should ensure that the dump line
pilot pressure mechanism.
used is restrained from whipping when the valve is released.
5.7.2 Solenoid and Electrically Operated Control Dump
5.15 Jetting Gun—A portable combination of operator’s
Systems—All electrically controlled dump systems should be
control valve, lance, and nozzle resembling a gun in layout and
of fail-safe design.
assembly. The control valve is hand-operated by a squeeze-
NOTE 3—Warning: Voltage of an alternatingcurrent (ac) or directcur-
action dead-man-type trigger for the hand of the operator who
rent (dc) dump system handled by personnel shall not exceed 24 V.
shouldalwayshavecontrolofthisdeviceandmaybeofthedry
5.8 High-Pressure Hose—Aflexible hose that connects two
shut-off or dump type, the gun being named accordingly. The
components and delivers the high-pressure fluid to the gun or
hand-control normally takes the form of a trigger or lever that
nozzle components. The hose shall have a burst rating of a
is provided with a guard adequate to prevent accidental
minimum of 2.5 times the maximum working pressure. Oper-
operation and that shall have the means of being immobilized
ating levels below this ratio should require a protective
in the “off” position by means of a safety catch. The gun shall
shielding around that hose. The hose shall be marked with the
be fitted with a shoulder pad or hand grips to facilitate
manufacturer’s symbol, serial number, the maximum permis-
back-thrust control.
sible operating pressure, and the test pressure. High-pressure
5.16 Retro Gun—A retro safety gun is fitted with forward-
hose shall be tested at 2.5 times working pressure in accor-
and backward-facing jets. This reduces the thrust experienced
dance with the original equipment operators’ specifications,
by the operator.This type of gun is used mainly for underwater
test methods instructions, and training programs.
jettingoperations.Theretrobalancejetprotectiontubeshallbe
5.9 End Fittings and Couplings—Pressure hose end fittings
sufficiently long or constructed so as to prevent the operator
and safety couplings shall be manufactured to be compatible
from directing a retro balance jet at himself.
with the hose and tested as a unit.
5.17 Changeover Valve—An operator-controlled valve de-
5.10 Jetting Gun Extension—A length or lengths of tube
signed to properly direct pressure water flow from the pump to
carrying pressure fluid to the nozzle. Each shall be manufac-
one or other items of equipment at the operator’s choice. It
tured from material suitable to the application. End connec-
shall be designed to withstand 2.5 times the maximum system
tionsshallbesuitablefortheapplication.Theextensionisused
pressure, and may be power-operated.
in conjunction with a control valve. The extension shall have a
5.18 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)—The origi-
minimum burst strength of at least 2.5 times the highest actual
nal equipment manufacturer shall design the equipment based
operating pressure used.
upon the foreseeable uses and misuses and design recognized
5.11 Nozzle—The nozzle creates the water jet or jets at the
hazards out of the equipment. Hazards that cannot
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