ASTM C1244/C1244M-20

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Designation: C1244 − 11 (Reapproved 2017) C1244/C1244M − 20
Standard Test Method for
Concrete Sewer Manholes by the Negative Air Pressure
(Vacuum) Test Prior to Backfill
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1244;C1244/C1244M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers procedures for testing precast concrete manhole sections when using the vacuum test method to
demonstrate the integrity of the installed materials and the construction procedures. This test method is used for testing concrete
manhole sections utilizing mortar, mastic, or gasketed joints.
1.2 This test method is intended to be used as a preliminary test to enable the installer to demonstrate the condition of the concrete
manholes prior to backfill. Users are hereby cautioned that misuse or misapplication of the test criteria contained herein can cause
permanent damage to the system being tested.
NOTE 1—Vacuum test criteria presented in this test method are similar to those in general use. The test and criteria have been widely and successfully
used in testing manholes.
NOTE 2—The user of this test method is advised that no correlation has been found between vacuum (air) and hydrostatic tests.
1.3 This test method is the companion to metric Test MethodThe values stated in inch pound or SI units are to be regarded
separately C1244M; therefore, no SI equivalentsas standard. The SI units are shown in this test method. brackets. The values stated
in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C822 Terminology Relating to Concrete Pipe and Related Products
C924 Practice for Testing Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines by Low-Pressure Air Test Method (Withdrawn 2013)
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C13 on Manholes and Specials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2020. Published April 2017November 2020. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20112017 as
C1244 – 11.C1244 – 11(2017). DOI: 10.1520/C1244-11R17.10.1520/C1244_C1244M-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 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 the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
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C1244/C1244M − 20
TABLE 1 Minimum Test Times for Various Manhole Diameters (3030 – 120 in.) in. [750 – 3000 mm] in Seconds
Diameter, in. [mm]
Depth (ft)ft
30 33 3636 42 48 54 60 6666 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
[m]
[750] [825] [900] [1050] [1200] [1350] [1500] [1650] [1800] [1950] [2100] [2250] [2400] [2550] [2700] [2850] [3000]
Time, in seconds
<4 [1.2] 6 7 7 9 10 12 13 15 16 18 19 21 23 24 25 27 29
6 [1.8] 9 10 11 13 15 18 20 22 25 26 29 31 34 36 38 41 43
8 11 12 14 17 20 23 26 29 33
8 [2.4] 11 12 14 17 20 23 26 29 33 35 38 41 45 48 51 54 57
10 14 15 18 21 25 29 33 36 41
10 [3.0] 14 15 18 21 25 29 33 36 41 44 48 52 56 60 63 67 71
12 17 18 21 25 30 35 39 43 49
12 [3.7] 17 18 21 25 30 35 39 43 49 53 57 62 67 71 76 81 85
14 20 21 25 30 35 41 46 51 57
14 [4.3] 20 21 25 30 35 41 46 51 57 62 67 72 78 83 89 94 100
16 22 24 29 34 40 46 52 58 67
16 [4.9] 22 24 29 34 40 46 52 58 67 70 76 83 89 95 101 108 114
18 25 27 32 38 45 52 59 65 73
18 [5.5] 25 27 32 38 45 52 59 65 73 79 86 93 100 107 114 121 128
20 28 30 35 42 50 53 65 72 81
20 [6.1] 28 30 35 42 50 53 65 72 81 88 95 103 111 119 126 135 142
22 31 33 39 46 55 64 72 79 89
22 [6.7] 31 33 39 46 55 64 72 79 89 97 105 114 122 131 139 148 156
24 33 36 42 51 59 64 78 87 97
24 [7.3] 33 36 42 51 59 64 78 87 97 106 114 124 133 143 152 161 170
26 36 39 46 55 64 75 85 94 105
26 [7.9] 36 39 46 55 64 75 85 94 105 114 124 134 144 155 164 175 185
28 39 42 49 59 69 81 91 101 113
28 [8.5] 39 42 49 59 69 81 91 101 113 123 133 145 155 167 177 188 199
30 42 45 53 63 74 87 98 108 121
30 [9.1] 42 45 53 63 74 87 98 108 121 132 143 155 166 178 189 202 213
TABLE 1 Minimum Test Times for Various Manhole Diameters (30 – 120 in.) in Seconds (continued)
Diameter, in.
Depth (ft)
78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Time, in seconds
<4 18 19 21 23 24 25 27 29
6 26 29 31 34 36 38 41 43
8 35 38 41 45 48 51 54 57
10 44 48 52 56 60 63 67 71
12 53 57 62 67 71 76 81 85
14 62 67 72 78 83 89 94 100
16 70 76 83 89 95 101 108 114
18 79 86 93 100 107 114 121 128
20 88 95 103 111 119 126 135 142
22 97 105 114 122 131 139 148 156
24 106 114 124 133 143 152 161 170
26 114 124 134 144 155 164 175 185
28 123 133 145 155 167 177 188 199
30 132 143 155 166 178 189 202 213
C924M Practice for Testing Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines by Low-Pressure Air Test Method (Metric) (Withdrawn 2013)
C969 Practice for Infiltration and Exfiltration Acceptance Testing of Installed Precast Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines
C1244MC969M Test Method for Concrete Sewer Manholes by the Negative Air Pressure (Vacuum) Test Prior to Backfill
Practice for Infiltration and Exfiltration Acceptance Testing of Installed Precast Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines (Metric)
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to manholes, see Terminology C822.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 All lift holes and any pipes entering the manhole are to be plugged. A vacuum will be drawn and the vacuum drop over a
specified time period is used to determine the acceptability of the manhole.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This is not a routine test. The values recorded are applicable only to the manhole being tested and at the time of testing.
C1244/C1244M − 20
6. Preparation of the Manhole
6.1 All lift holes shall be plugged.
6.2 All pipes entering the manhole shall be temporarily plugged, taking care to securely brace the pipes and plugs to prevent them
from being drawn into the manhole.
7. Procedure
7.1 The test head shall be placed at the top of the manhole in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
7.2 A vacuum of 10 in. [254 mm] Hg shall be drawn on the manhole, the valve on the vacuum line of the test head closed, and
the vacuum pump shut off. The time shall be measured for the vacuum to drop to 9 in. [229 mm] Hg.
7.3 The manhole is acceptable if the time for the vacuum reading to drop from 10 in. [254 mm] Hg to 9 in. [229 mm] Hg meets
or exceeds the values indicated in Table 1.
7.4 If the manhole fails the initial test, the manhole shall be repaired by an approved method until a satisfactory test is obtained.
7.5 Use or failure of this vacuum test shall not preclude acceptance by appropriate water infiltration or ex
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