The system of gas mains and service lines shall be tested after
construction and before being placed in service using air as the test
medium. The normal operating pressure for the system is [_____]. The test
pressure is [_____]. Prior to testing the system, the interior shall be
blown out, cleaned and cleared of all foreign materials. All meters,
regulators, and controls shall be removed before blowing out and cleaning
and reinstalled after clearing of all foreign materials. Testing of gas
mains and service lines shall be done with due regard for the safety of
employees and the public during the test. Persons not working on the test
operations shall be kept out of the testing area while testing is
proceeding. The test shall be made on the system as a whole or on sections
that can be isolated. Joints in sections shall be tested prior to
backfilling when trenches must be backfilled before the completion of other
pipeline sections. The test shall continue for at least 24 hours from the
time of the initial readings to the final readings of pressure and
temperature. The initial test readings of the instrument shall not be made
for at least 1 hour after the pipe has been subjected to the full test
pressure, and neither the initial nor final readings shall be made at times
of rapid changes in atmospheric conditions. The temperatures shall be
representative of the actual trench conditions. There shall be no
indication of reduction of pressure during the test after corrections have
been made for changes in atmospheric conditions in conformity with the
relationship T(1)P(2)=T(2)P(1), in which T and P denote absolute
temperature and pressure, respectively, and the numbers denote initial and
final readings. During the test, the entire system shall be completely
isolated from all compressors and other sources of air pressure. Each
joint shall be tested by means of soap and water or an equivalent
nonflammable solution prior to backfilling or concealing any work. The
testing instruments shall be approved by the Contracting Officer. All
labor, materials and equipment for conducting the tests shall be furnished
by the Contractor and shall be subject to inspection at all times during
the tests. The Contractor shall maintain safety precautions for air
pressure testing at all times during the tests.
-- End of Section --
SECTION 02556A
Page 27
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