12.133 Leakage Due to Internal Pressure (Air Pressure Method) 12.13.4 Leakage Dueto Infiltration 12.13.5 Leakage Due to Internal Pressure (Water Pressure Method) The Contractor shall plug all pipe outlets with suitable plugs, and brace each plug securely where needed. The input air supply shall be regulated by a pressure regulating valve so as to not exceed 5 psi gage pressure. The air test equipment is to be approved by the Engineer prior to testing. Air shall be added slowly to the pipe until the internal air pressure is raised to 4 psi gage pressure, at which time the flow of air into the pipe shall be shut off, and the input supply hose disconnected completely from the testing equipment. After the internal pressure of 4 psi is obtained, two (2) minutes shall be allowed for the air temperature to stabilize within the pipe. Air may be needed only to maintain a pressure of 4 psi. When the intemal pressure decreases to 3.5 psi, timing shall start and the seconds counted until the pressure has decreased to 2.5 psi. Minimum permissible pressure holding time for sewer mains, with or without laterals, are listed in the N.C.P.I. Air Test Tables, as published in the latest National Clay Pipe Institute “Low Pressure Air Test for Sanitary Sewer (Procedures and Tables)”, If, in the construction of a section of sewer of any size, excessive groundwater is encountered, a test for infiltration shall be conducted if ordered by the Engineer. ‘The upper end of the sewer shall be closed sufficiently to prevent the entrance of water, and pumping of water shall be discontinued for at least 3 days prior to ‘the test for infiltration. The infiltration shall not exceeded 415 imperial gallons per inch diameter per mile per day of that portion of mainline sewer in ground-water being tested, and does not include the length of house laterals entering that section. This test may be in lieu of , or in addition to the other tests, as determined by the Engineer. It would be of the advantage to the Employer in some cases to have certain sections of sewer pipes tested by water pressure in lieu of the Air Pressure Method. If requested by the Engineer, the test shall be performed as follows The pipeline to be tested shall be plugged at all pipe outlets with suitable plugs, and each plug securely braced where needed. The ine shall be filled with water, and sufficient time will be permitted to elapse between the filling and testing of the line to permit absorption of water by the pipe walls. A hose shall connect the plug with a stand pipe (12 inches diameter approximately). ‘The stand pipe will be filled to a level not less than 4 feet above the level of the sewer at the upper end and positioned to permit the addition of one additional gallon of water. One gallon of water shall be added and the time measured for the water level to return to the marked measured . The time so measured shall not be less than that computed by the following formula which provides for minimum allowable leakage of 415 imperial gallons per inch diameter per mile per day. Minimum Time (minutes) 15,206 Diameter (inches) x Test Length (feed) 12.14