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19
Performing Pressure Tests on Gas
Distribution Lines
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1
NFPA 54 Regulations that Apply to Pressure Testing
NFPA 54 7.1.4.1 Test pressure shall be measured with a manometer or with a
pressure measuring device designed and calibrated to read, record,
2002 or indicate a pressure loss due to leakage during the pressure test
period. The source of pressure shall be isolated before the pressure
tests are made. Mechanical gauges used to measure test pressures
shall have a range such that the highest end of the scale is not
greater than 5 times the test pressure.
7.1.4.2 The test pressure to be used shall be no less than 1-½ times the proposed
maximum working pressure, but not less than 3 psi, irrespective of design pressure.
7.1.4.3 Test duration shall be not less than ½ hour for each 500 cubic feet of pipe
volume or fraction thereof. When testing a system having a volume less than 10
cubic feet or a system in a single-family dwelling, the test duration shall be a
minimum of 10 minutes. The duration of the test shall not be required to exceed 24
hours.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 1 & 2
Identifying Basic Elements of Pressure Testing
Test Medium. According to NFPA 54, 7.1.2, the test medium shall be air,
nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, or an inert gas. Do not use oxygen or fuel gas.
Test Duration NFPA 54 and most state and local codes require a 10 minute
test duration for single-family dwellings and small capacity distribution systems
with less than 10 cubic feet (1,840 lineal feet of 1” steel pipe). However, if the
distribution piping is more than 10 cubic feet, NFPA 54, requires a test duration of
30 minutes for each 500 cubic feet of piping. Regardless of size, NFPA 54 states
that the duration of the test need not exceed 24 hours.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 2
NFPA 54 Regulations that Apply to Pressure Testing
Pressure Measuring Devices. NFPA 54,
7.1.4.1 requires: Test pressure shall be measured
with a pressure measuring device designed and
calibrated to read, record, or indicate a pressure
loss due to leakage during the pressure test period.
The source of pressure shall be isolated before the
pressure tests are made.
Mechanical gauges used to measure test
pressures shall have a range such that the highest Figure 1. Test Gauges Installed
end of the scale is not greater than 5 times the test At Piping Connections at Two
pressure. 2-PSI Piping Service Entrances
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 3
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 4
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Pressure Testing Integral Two-Stage Distribution Systems: 11 Inches
Water Column Operating Pressure— Integral 2-Stage Regulator
Pressure
Minimum Test Measuring
Description Test Pressure Test Medium
Duration Device
Before A pressure gauge
appliances are 3 psig minimum 10 minutes Air, nitrogen, or designed and
connected carbon dioxide calibrated to read,
record, or indicate
a pressure loss
due to leakage
during the
pressure test
period.
Figure 2. Pressure Testing Integral Two-Stage Distribution
Lines Operating Pressure: 11 Inches Water Column
This method is intended for testing the main and branch lines before they are connected
to the appliance shutoff valves and the integral two-stage regulator. The piping system
must withstand a test pressure of at least 3 psig for a minimum of 10 minutes without
showing any drop in pressure.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 4
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 5
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Step 1: Make sure the entire line is disconnected from the propane
storage container regulator and the ends of all branch lines
are either capped or plugged.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 5
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Step 6: If the piping system holds the test pressure for a minimum
of 10 minutes without any drop, the piping system is
considered gastight. (If the piping system is not
considered gastight, take appropriate action to locate the
leak and make necessary repairs.)
Step 7: Prepare a record that indicates which portions of the piping
system were pressure-tested.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 5
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Pressure Testing Two-Stage Distribution Systems: 11 Inches Water
Column Final Delivery Pressure— 1st & 2nd Stage Regulators
Pressure
Minimum Test Measuring
Description Test Pressure Test Medium
Duration Device
Buried Not less than 1.5
Distribution Line (1½) times the 10 minutes Air, nitrogen, or
A pressure gauge
(before regulator maximum working carbon dioxide
pressure of the first designed and
is installed). stage line. The calibrated to
typical working read, record, or
pressure of the first indicate a
stage regulator is pressure loss due
10 psig; therefore,
the test pressure
to leakage during
should be at least the pressure test
15 psig. period.
Second Stage
Line, Before 3 psig minimum 10 minutes Air, nitrogen, or
appliances are carbon dioxide
installed.
Figure 5. Pressure Testing Two Stage Distribution Lines
Appliance Operating Pressure: 11" w.c.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 6
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 7
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 7
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 8
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 8
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Test the second-stage line(s) by using the same basic method used for
integral two-stage systems (a minimum 3-psig test for 10 minutes).
Fr
s
it
S t
age
Regua lt
or
Pessur
r e
Gauge
H
andP
ump
S
er
viceV
alve Pp
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ap Pp
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ap
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r
i heckor
N
eedleV alve
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t
orage
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ontainer
Pp
i eC
ap
Disconnect ed
2ndS t
age
R egulator
Figure 9. Pressure Testing Distribution Lines
Downstream of 2nd-Stage Regulator
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 9
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Pressure Testing 2-Pound Distribution Systems: 10 psig buried distribution line
pressure and 2-psi delivery pressure to one or more line regulators controlling 11
inches water column final delivery pressure. If the system uses a first-stage and
2-PSI service regulators connected by a buried distribution line, the system is tested as
a two-stage piping system (Figure 10).
Fir st- Stage
Regulao tr
( 10psigoutletpressure)
Bur iedPETubing
Water Heater
2- psiSer vice
Regulaotr Fur nace
(2 p s ig o u tle tp re s s u re ) Dr yer
R
LineRegulator Manifold
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 10
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
AirValve-E quipped
TestFn
ti gw th
i
Fir
st-Stage 0to60psG i auge
R egulator 2-PSIService
Regulator
Pp
ie
C
ap
2psg iC S STLn
i eto
DistributionManifold
P E First-S tage
D
istributionLine
Figure 12. Pressure Testing First-Stage Line
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 11
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 11
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Step 6: If the line holds the test pressure without any drop, the line
is considered gastight. (If the line is not considered
gastight, take appropriate action to locate the leak and
make necessary repairs. Repeat the pressure test as
needed until a gastight condition is maintained.)
Step 7: Prepare a record indicating the section(s) of pipe tested.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 11
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
To test lines in a 2-psi system that uses a single line regulator and
distribution manifold:
Step 1: Remove the line regulator located upstream of the distribution
manifold and replace with a pipe nipple. (Figure 13) Verify
that all valves at the manifold are manufacturer approved for
the pressure that will be used for the test and that the valves
are in their open positions.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 12
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
Step 6: If the line holds the test pressure without any drop, the lines
and manifold are considered gastight. (If the lines are not
considered gastight, take appropriate action to locate the leak
and make necessary repairs. Repeat the pressure test as
needed until a gastight condition is maintained.)
Step 7: Prepare a record indicating the section(s) of pipe tested.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 12
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
W
at
erH
eat
er
2-psiService
Regulat
or
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ryer
R M
anif
old
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or
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last
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ange
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ridDu
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4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 13
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
2- psiSer vice
Regulaotr
Line Dr yer
Regulao
tr 28,000Btuh
R
A=20feet Manifold Range
52,000Btuh
B=40feet
Fur
60,0nace
00Btuh
WaterH
0eat
36, 00e
Brtuh
R
Manifold
Line
Regulao
tr
Fir eplace
45,000Btuh
CS15.
Figure ST 2-PSI Mul ti
CSST pl e Mani fol d System
Multiple
Manifold System
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 13
Procedures Used to Pressure Test Propane Piping
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 13
Time to See If You Got the Key Points of
This Module…
• Complete the Review on page 14.
4.2.19 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 14 & 15