refrigerant and refrigeration manufacturer's procedures. Restoring
contaminated systems shall be at no additional cost to the Government as
determined by the Contracting Officer. Water shall not be used in any
procedure or test.
3.3
REFRIGERANT PIPING TESTS
**************************************************************************
NOTE: The following refrigerant system tests are
for field fabricated refrigerant piping systems.
The tests do not apply to packaged, unitary
equipment which is charged at the factory.
Where applicable condensing temperature is over 54
degrees C (130 degrees F), equipment and piping will
be capable of withstanding leak pressure tests at
not less than the design pressure corresponding to
the condensing pressure during the higher ambient
conditions (refer to ASHRAE 15).
In the last sentence use 15990A and delete 15950N
for Army projects, and vice versa.
**************************************************************************
After all components of the refrigerant system have been installed and
connected, the entire refrigeration system shall be subjected to pneumatic,
evacuation, and startup tests as described herein. Tests shall be
conducted in the presence of the Contracting Officer. Water and
electricity required for the tests will be furnished by the Government.
Any material, equipment, instruments, and personnel required for the test
shall be provided by the Contractor. The services of a qualified
technician shall be provided as required to perform all tests and
procedures indicated herein. Field tests shall be coordinated with Section
[15990A TESTING, ADJUSTING, AND BALANCING OF HVAC SYSTEMS] [15950N HVAC
TESTING/ADJUSTING/BALANCING].
3.3.1
Prior to pneumatic testing, equipment which has been factory tested and
refrigerant charged as well as equipment which could be damaged or cause
personnel injury by imposed test pressure, positive or negative, shall be
isolated from the test pressure or removed from the system. Safety relief
valves and rupture discs, where not part of factory sealed systems, shall
be removed and openings capped or plugged.
3.3.2
Pneumatic Test
Pressure control and excess pressure protection shall be provided at the
source of test pressure. Valves shall be wide open, except those leading
to the atmosphere. Test gas shall be dry nitrogen, with minus 55 degrees C
(minus 70 degree F) minus 70 degree F dewpoint and less than 5 ppm oil.
Test pressure shall be applied in two stages before any refrigerant pipe is
insulated or covered. First stage test shall be at 69 kPa (10 psi) 10 psi
with every joint being tested with a thick soap or color indicating
solution. Second stage tests shall raise the system to the minimum
refrigerant leakage test pressure specified in ASHRAE 15 with a maximum
test pressure 25 percent greater. Pressure above 690 KPa (100 psig) 100
psig shall be raised in 10 percent increments with a pressure acclimatizing
period between increments. The initial test pressure shall be recorded
SECTION 15182
Page 27
Previous Page
