ASTM F3535-21

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3535 − 21
Standard Practice for
Field Leak Testing of Polyamide-12 (PA12) Pressure Piping
Systems Using Gaseous Testing Media Under Pressure
(Pneumatic Leak Testing)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3535; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.5 This practice does not address leak testing using pres-
surizedliquids(hydrostatictesting).Forfieldleaktestingusing
1.1 This practice provides information on apparatus, safety,
pressurized liquids, consult the manufacturer for guidance.
pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests
of polyamide-12 (PA12) pressure piping systems after instal-
1.6 This practice does not apply to leak testing of non-
lation using gaseous testing media such as un-odorized inert
pressure, negative pressure (vacuum), or non-PA12
non-toxicgasorair,andapplyingpressuretodetermineifleaks
(polyamide-12) piping systems.
exist in the system (pneumatic leak testing). This practice
1.7 This practice does not apply to fuel gas piping systems
applies only to testing to discover leakage. Testing for other
that extend from the point of delivery to the appliance
purposes such as testing to establish operating pressure is
connections. For other than undiluted liquefied petroleum gas
beyond the scope of this practice.
(LP-Gas) systems, the point of delivery shall be considered to
1.2 Leak testing with pressurized gaseous testing media
be the outlet of the service meter assembly or the outlet of the
shall be used only if one or both of the following conditions
service regulator or service shutoff valve where no meter is
exists:
provided. For undiluted LP-Gas, the point of delivery shall be
1.2.1 The piping system is so designed that it cannot be
considered to be the outlet of the final pressure regulator,
filled with a liquid, or
exclusive of line gas regulators, in the system. This practice
1.2.2 The piping system service cannot tolerate traces of
does not apply to LP-Gas systems covered under NFPA 58.
liquid testing media.
1.8 This practice is intended for use with PA12 pressure
1.3 Where hydrostatic testing is specified in contract docu-
pipingthatconveysgaseousmediaunderpressure(compressed
ments or by the authority having jurisdiction, testing using
gas) if the owner or operator or installer of the line does not
pressurizedgaseoustestingmedia(pneumatic)testingshallnot
have an established leak testing procedure that is acceptable to
besubstitutedwithouttheexpressconsentandauthorizationof
the authority having jurisdiction.
the authority having jurisdiction.
1.9 Warning—Failure during a pressurized gaseous testing
1.4 Some manufacturers prohibit or restrict testing of their
media leak test can be extremely violent and dangerous
products with pressurized gaseous testing media. Contact
because energy that is applied to compress the gaseous testing
component manufacturers for information. Where the manu-
media and to pressurize the system will both be suddenly
facturer of a test section component prohibits or restricts
released.
testing with pressurized gaseous testing media testing in
NOTE 2—To illustrate the violent hazard of failure, assumea5HP
accordance with this practice shall not be used without the
compressorisusedtoraisethetestsectiontotestpressureandthatittakes
express consent and authorization of the authority having
1 h to achieve test pressure. If sudden rupture occurs, energy release may
jurisdiction and the component manufacturer.
occur in 2 s. Therefore, the horsepower of the energy release would be 5
NOTE 1—Components that are not suitable for testing with gaseous
HP×1h× 3600 s/h/2s= 9000 HP. Further, if diameter is doubled,
testing media may not be suitable for service with pressurized gas.
energy release is four times greater. For an example test section that is
twice the diameter, energy release would be 36000 HP.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
1.10 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be re-
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test
garded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
Methods.
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. DOI:
10.1520/F3535–21 information only and are not considered standard. Numbered
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3535 − 21
notes and information in parentheses in the text of the practice the“authorityhavingjurisdiction”;atgovernmentinstallations,
are non-mandatory information. Table notes are mandatory the commanding officer or departmental official may be the
information. “authority having jurisdiction.”
1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.2 approve, v—(approved, approving, approval) accept-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the able to or authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 authorized persons, n—personsthatarefullyinformed
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
of the testing procedure and hazards of field pressure testing,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and that are qualified to operate the onsite testing equipment,
1.12 This international standard was developed in accor-
and that are qualified to perform onsite leak detection.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Authorized persons may be agents or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
representatives or inspectors for the authority having
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
jurisdiction, or may be employees of the party conducting the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
test. Contract documents may identify responsibilities, but
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
regardlessofassignedresponsibilities,onlyauthorizedpersons
shall be allowed in proximity of test sections when testing (in
2. Referenced Documents
accordance with Section 9) is underway.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.4 gaseous testing media, n—anon-toxic,non-flammable
D1600TerminologyforAbbreviatedTermsRelatingtoPlas-
fluid that is chemically compatible with piping system
tics
components,andattestingtemperatureandpressureexistsina
F412Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
non-solid, non-liquid state.
2.2 PPI Standard:
3.2.5 pressure piping system, n—a piping system where all
PPI TR-4 PPI HSB Listing of Hydrostatic Design Basis
components in the system are pressure rated and intended for
(HDB), Hydrostatic Design Stress (HDS), Strength De-
conveyingafluidundercontinuousinternalpressure.(Seealso
sign Basis (SDB), Pressure Design Basis (PDB), Mini-
Terminology F412, pressure pipe, and non-pressure pipe.) To
mum Required Strength (MRS) Ratings and Categorized
verify suitability for pressure service, consult the component
Required Strength (CRS) For Thermoplastic Piping Ma-
manufacturer.
terials or Pipe
4 3.2.5.1 Discussion—PPI TR-4 provides information about
2.3 NFPA Standard:
stress ratings for some plastic piping compounds, materials,
NFPA 58Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
and products.
3. Terminology
3.2.6 restraint, n—temporary or permanent structural mea-
sures or devices that restrict, guide, prevent, or safely limit
3.1 Abbreviations and terms are in accordance with Termi-
disjoining and movement of the piping system and piping
nology D1600 and Terminology F412 unless otherwise indi-
components while the system is under pressure during testing
cated.
or service conditions. Restraint may include backfill, anchors,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
thrust blocks, external clamps and tie rods (joint restraints),
3.2.1 authority having jurisdiction, n—the organization,
pipe guides, etc.
officeorindividualresponsiblefor“approving”equipmentand
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Restraint means that if violent separa-
installation, or a procedure.
tion or failure occurs during pressurization or testing, any
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The term “authority having jurisdic-
movementofcomponentsorpartsissufficientlyconstrainedor
tion” is used in this practice in a broad manner since jurisdic-
prevented such that damage or injury is prevented.
tionsand“approval”agenciesvary,asdotheirresponsibilities.
3.2.7 system design pressure, n—the limiting continuous
Where public safety is concerned, the “authority having
internal pressure specified by the piping system designer.
jurisdiction” may be a federal, state, local or other regional
Systemdesignpressuremaybelessthanthepressureratingsof
department or individual such as a fire chief, fire marshall,
components in the system. System design pressure may be
chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, building
limited by component pressure ratings, by code or application
official, or others having statutory authority. For insurance
requirements, or by other restrictions.
purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau or
3.2.8 visible leakage, n—the visible escape (bubbles, drip,
other insurance company representative may be the “authority
having jurisdiction”. In many circumstances, the property spray, stream, flow, etc.) of test media from the test section
through components, joints, connections, appurtenances and
owner or his authorized engineer or agent assumes the role of
the like in the test section. Visibility of gaseous media leakage
is enhanced by the application of leak detection fluid at joints,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
seals or seams where leakage is likely.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4. Summary of Practice
the ASTM website.
Available from Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), 105 Decker Court, Suite 825,
4.1 The section of the piping system to be tested shall be
Irving, TX 75062, http://www.plasticpipe.org.
isolated from other parts of the system, and shall be restrained
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. as described in 3.2.6. Components that are not to be subjected
F3535 − 21
to test pressure or that could be damaged by test pressure shall mechanical connectors having insufficient resistance to pull-
beremoved,orshallbeisolatedandventedtoatmosphere.The out stress or length reduction, is possible when partially
test section is filled with the gaseous testing media, raised to
restrained or unrestrained joints are in-line with the fully
the test pressure and allowed to stabilize. The system is restrained test section. To prevent Poisson-effect disjoining of
inspected or monitored for leakage, and then test pressure is
partially restrained or non-restrained joints take measures such
relieved. If repairs or corrections are necessary, they are
as installing external joint restraints (diametrical clamps and
performed only when the test section is depressurized. If
tie-rods) on in-line partially restrained or non-restrained joints,
necessary, retesting is performed after leak repairs or correc-
installing in-line thrust anchors at the ends of fully restrained
tions and a relaxation period. At the conclusion of an accept-
pipingsectionstopreventendmovementofthefullyrestrained
able test (approval), the test section may be placed in service.
section, or isolating a fully restrained test section from piping
Purging or disposal of the gaseous testing media from the test
with unrestrained or partially restrained joints.
section may be necessary.
NOTE 3—Atensile stress applied to a material will cause elongation in
the direction of the applied stress, and will cause a decrease in dimension
4.2 Test pressure and test duration are dependent on piping
at right angles to the direction of the applied stress. The ratio of decrease
system volume and piping system temperature. The volume of
to elongation is the Poisson ratio. Under test pressure, piping materials
compressed gaseous testing media available or compressor
will expand slightly in diameter and contract in length slightly according
capacity will determine the test section length that can be
to the Poisson ratio of the material.
raised to test pressure within specified test duration and test
pressure limits. Elevated temperatures anywhere in the test
6. Apparatus and Equipment
section, especially where test section areas are exposed to
6.1 Isolation and closure components such as caps, valves,
sunlight heating, require reduced test pressure.
blind flanges, and other devices that are used to isolate and
4.3 Acceptanceisdeterminedbytheapprovaloftheauthor-
close the test section from other parts of the system, and that
ity having jurisdiction.
are used to isolate components that are not to be subjected to
4.4 If applicable, the authority having jurisdiction specifies test pressure from the test section are required.
procedures or requirements for gaseous testing media disposal
6.1.1 Testsectionisolationandclosurecomponentsshallbe
or containment during depressurizing or purging.
rated for pressures equal to or greater than the test pressure
applied to the test section, and shall be restrained against
5. Significance and Use
longitudinal separation (pull out or push off) such that the
PA12 pipe and the isolation or closure component shall not
5.1 If required by the authority having jurisdiction, pressur-
separate under the pressure forces and loads imposed during
ized gaseous testing media leak testing is conducted after
testing. Excessively worn, deteriorated or damaged equipment
installation to discover and correct or repair leaks or faults in
shall not be used. Equipment that is not capable of proper
a newly constructed or modified PA12 pressure piping system
before placing the system in service. Leakage or faults most operation shall not be used.
commonly occur at connections, joints, and mechanical seals
6.1.2 Pipe squeeze-off shall not be used to isolate or
where sealing under pressure is required.
sectionalize piping for test.
5.2 Safety is of paramount importance when conducting
NOTE 4—Squeeze-off cannot always prevent gas flow.
pressurized gaseous testing media leak tests because testing
6.2 Gaseous Testing Media—An adequate supply of non-
results include no leaks, leaks, sudden violent rupture, or
toxic and non-flammable gaseous testing media is required.
catastrophic failure.
Gases such as natural gas, LP gas, propane, butane, hydrogen
5.3 Systems that contain lower pressure rated or non-
sulfide,andotherflammableortoxicgasesshallnotbeusedas
pressure rated components that cannot be isolated or removed
testing media.
from exposure to test pressure, or where temporary caps or
closures are not practical, are not suitable for testing in
6.3 Leak Detection—Leak detection fluids shall be non-
accordance with this practice.
toxicandchemicallybenigntoPA12pipingmaterialandother
materials used in connections, joints and seals. Leak detection
5.4 Leakage Allowance—Leakage is not allowed for butt
fluids shall not be injected into or added to the gaseous testing
and electrofusion joints, and restrained gas-tight mechanical
media.
joints. See 7.6. Contact the joint, connection or component
manufacturer for leakage correction information if leakage
NOTE 5—Leakage usually occurs at a connection, joint, or seal in the
occurs at a joint, connection or component having a mechani-
system. Depending upon the type of connection, joint, or seal, leakage
cal seal.
may be seepage, spray, or a stream of gaseous testing media. Leak
detection fluids applied to the connection, joint, or seal typically produce
5.5 Poisson-Effect Expansion and Contraction—When test
bubbles from leakage.
pressure is applied to plastic piping systems that have fully
restrained joints such as heat fusion, electrofusion, bolted 6.4 Filling and Pressurizing Equipment—Filling and pres-
surizing equipment such as a compressor or pressurized
flanges, etc., either reduction of overall pipe length or an
increase in longitudinal stress results from diametrical expan- cylinders of gaseous testing media are required. Filling and
sion of the pipe. Disjoining (pull-out) of partially restrained or pressurizing equipment shall supply sufficient compressed
non-restrained connections or joints, such as some in-line gaseous testing media so that test duration limits are not
F3535 − 21
exceeded.See8.2.3.Fillingequipmentandpressurizingequip- sure. Temperature monitoring equipment that has not been
ment shall be the same or separate equipment. All gaseous calibratedwithintwelve(12)monthspriortouseorisdamaged
testing media shall pass into the test section through a single or otherwise incapable of proper operation shall not be used.
connection.
6.7 Timing equipment such as clocks, wrist watches, stop-
6.5 Pressure Monitoring and Regulating—Pressure moni-
watches or other devices that display time in hours and
toring and regulating equipment shall display, control, and minutes, the means to record beginning, intermediate, and
maintain test pressure for the duration of the procedure, and ending times, and the means to determine the duration of
shall incorporate means to prevent overpressure. applicable time periods are required. At least two timing
devices shall be used. Timing equipment shall be accurate to
NOTE 6—Excessive test pressure can cause damage or test section
within 5 min in 24 h.
failure. One means to prevent overpressure is to install a calibrated
pressure relief valve in the test section that is set to relieve test section
6.8 Otherequipmenttoconnectacompressororpressurized
pressure at a pressure that is not more than 5 psi (34.5 kPa) or 3 percent
cylindersofgaseoustestingmediatothetestsection,tocontrol
above test pressure.
the flow of gaseous testing media, to power compressors and
6.5.1 Use at least two calibrated pressure gauges or sensors
other equipment, to connect pressure regulating and monitor-
that are properly scaled for the test and accurate to within two
ing equipment to the test section, to monitor pressure, and to
percent(2%)offullscale.Thegaugeorsensorfullscalevalue
purge the gaseous testing media from the test section are
shall not be more than twice the test pressure, and scale
required as applicable.
graduations shall be no greater than two percent (2%) of the
full-scalevalue.Atesttreecombinesvalves,tees,agaugecock
7. Safety Precautions
forbleeding,apressuresnu
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