N.Y.C. Admin. Code § PC 312: Section PC 312: Tests and Inspections

312.1 Required tests.

The licensed master plumber shall make the applicable tests prescribed in Sections 312.2 through 312.11 to determine compliance with the provisions of this code. The licensed master plumber shall give two days notice to the commissioner when the plumbing work is ready for tests. The equipment, material, power and labor necessary for the inspection and test shall be furnished by the licensed master plumber and the licensed master plumber shall be responsible for determining that the work will withstand the test pressure prescribed in the following tests. All plumbing system piping shall be tested with either water or, for piping systems other than plastic, by air. After the plumbing fixtures have been set and their traps filled with water, the entire drainage system shall be submitted to final tests. The commissioner shall require the removal of any cleanouts if necessary to ascertain whether the pressure has reached all parts of the system.

Exceptions:

1. The repair, replacement or alteration to existing water, waste, vent, storm water piping or, building drain in an existing occupied building shall require only a visual inspection of waste, vent and storm water pipe roughing and finish in addition to a pressure test of water piping at available building water pressure.

2. The addition of no more than five (5) plumbing fixtures or roof drains to an existing floor of an existing occupied building shall require only a visual inspection of waste, vent and storm water pipe roughing and finish in addition to a pressure test of water piping at available building water pressure.

312.1.1 Test gauges.

Gauges used for testing shall be as follows:

1. Tests requiring a pressure of 10 pounds per square inch (psi) (69 kPa) or less shall utilize a testing gauge having increments of 0.10 psi (0.69 kPa) or less.

2. Tests requiring a pressure of greater than 10 psi (69 kPa) but less than or equal to 100 psi (689 kPa) shall utilize a testing gauge having increments of 1 psi (6.9 kPa) or less.

3. Tests requiring a pressure of greater than 100 psi (689 kPa) shall utilize a testing gauge having increments of 2 psi (14 kPa) or less.

312.1.2 Witnessing tests.

Tests in accordance with this code shall be witnessed by department plumbing inspectors or approved agencies. The department shall prescribe qualifications for individuals who are authorized to witness such tests on behalf of approved agencies, including but not limited to the requirement that such individuals shall be licensed master plumbers or registered design professionals with not less than 5 years experience in the inspection and testing of piping systems. Such tests may be conducted without any inspection or tests witnessed by the department, provided that verified statements and supporting inspectorial and test reports are filed with the department within two working days of such tests.

312.2 Drainage and vent water test.

A water test shall be applied to the drainage system either in its entirety or in sections. If applied to the entire system, all openings in the piping shall be tightly closed, except the highest opening, and the system shall be filled with water to the point of overflow. If the system is tested in sections, each opening shall be tightly plugged except the highest openings of the section under test, and each section shall be filled with water, but no section shall be tested with less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water. In testing successive sections, at least the upper 10 feet (3048 mm) of the next preceding section shall be tested so that no joint or pipe in the building, except the uppermost 10 feet (3048 mm) of the system, shall have been submitted to a test of less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water. This pressure shall be held for not less than15 minutes. The system shall then be tight at all points.

312.3 Drainage and vent air test.

Plastic piping shall not be tested using air. An air test shall be made by forcing air into the system until there is a uniform gauge of 5 psi (34.5 kPa). This pressure shall be held for a test period of not less than 15 minutes. Any adjustments to the test pressure required because of changes in ambient temperatures or the seating of gaskets shall be made prior to the beginning of the test period.

312.4 Drainage and vent final inspection.

The final inspection of the completed drainage and vent systems shall be visual and in sufficient detail to determine compliance with the provisions of this code. Where a smoke test is utilized, it shall be made by filling all traps with water and then introducing into the entire system a pungent, thick smoke produced by one or more smoke machines. When the smoke appears at stack

openings on the roof, the stack openings shall be closed and a pressure equivalent to a 1-inch water column (248.8 Pa) shall be held for a test period of not less than 15 minutes.

312.5 Water supply system test.

Upon completion of a section of or the entire water supply system, the system, or portion completed, shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure of 50 psi (344 kPa) above its normal working pressure but not less than 150 psi (1033 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes. The water utilized for tests shall be obtained from a potable source of supply. The required tests shall be performed in accordance with this section and Section

108

.

312.5.1 Water service pipe.

In addition to any requirements of Section 312.5, tests for water service pipes shall comply with the following:

1. In the presence of the tapper or inspector of the Department of Environmental Protection, each new service pipe or repaired service pipe shall be subjected to a water test made under the street main pressure.

2. All such pipes and appurtenances shall remain uncovered for the duration of the test and shall show no sign of leakage.

3. When any question arises as to the installation conforming with these regulations, an internal hydrostatic test as specified for materials may be applied, subject to the approval of the Department of Environmental Protection.

312.6 Reserved.

312.7 Forced drain test.

Forced drain tests shall consist of plugging the end of the

pump discharge at the point of connection with the building drain and applying a pressure of 5 psi (34.5 kPa) greater than the shut off pump rating, and maintaining such pressure for 15 minutes.

312.8 Storm drainage system test.

Storm drain

systems shall be tested by water or air in accordance with Section 312.2 or 312.3. Where storm drainage piping is designed to run full, the system shall be tested to withstand the head of 10 feet (3048 mm) of water above the anticipated high water level.

Exception:

Storm drainage piping installed outside of a building shall be tested to withstand the head of water equal to grade, but such testing may be conducted after inspection and backfilling.

312.9 Shower liner test.

Where shower floors and receptors are made water tight by the application of materials required by Section 417.5.2, the completed liner installation shall be tested. The pipe from the shower drain shall be plugged water tight for the test. The floor and receptor area shall be filled with potable water to a depth of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) measured at the threshold. Where a threshold of at least 2 inches (51 mm) high does not exist, a temporary threshold shall be constructed to retain the test water in the lined floor or receptor area to a level not less than 2 inches (51 mm) deep measured at the threshold. The water shall be retained for a test period of not less than 15 minutes, and there shall not be evidence of leakage.

312.10 Inspection and testing of backflow prevention assemblies.

Inspection and testing of secondary backflow prevention assemblies shall comply with Sections 312.10.1 and 312.10.2.

312.10.1 Inspections.

Annual inspections shall be made of all backflow prevention assemblies, air gaps, spill-proof vacuum breakers, pressure vacuum breaker assemblies, and hose connection backflow preventers to determine whether they are operable on forms provided by the department. Such forms shall be retained by the owner and shall be made available upon request to the department for a period of five years.

312.10.2 Testing.

Reduced pressure principle, double check, pressure vacuum breaker, reduced pressure detector fire protection, double check detector fire protection, and spill-resistant vacuum breaker backflow preventer assemblies and hose connection backflow preventers shall be tested at the time of installation, immediately after repairs or relocation and annually thereafter. The testing procedure shall be performed in accordance with one of the following standards: ASSE 5013, ASSE 5015, ASSE 5020, ASSE 5047, ASSE 5048, ASSE 5052, ASSE 5056, CSA B64.10 or CSA B64.10.1. Refer to Section 608.13 and the Department of Environmental Protection for additional testing requirements.

312.11 Joint inspection.

Inspections of welded joints shall consist of visual examination, during or after manufacture, fabrication, assembly, or pressure tests as appropriate. Supplementary types of nondestructive inspection techniques, such as magnetic-particle, radiographic, ultrasonic, etc., shall not be required unless specifically listed herein or in the engineering design.

312.11.1 Welder's qualifications.

Welders installing domestic water piping within buildings at any pressure shall comply with the following:

1. Welders shall be qualified for all pipe sizes, wall thicknesses and all positions in accordance with the

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,

Section IX. Requalification of a welder is required should the welder fail to maintain welder's continuity every 6 months. The licensed master plumber employing the welder shall maintain a welder continuity log and the log shall be made available to the department upon request.

2. Welder qualification testing shall be performed by an approved agency and the inspector witnessing the test shall be an authorized AWS Certified Welding Inspector.

3. Copies of the certified welder qualification reports shall be maintained by both the approved agency and the licensed master plumber employing the welder for at least six years and shall be made available to the department upon request.