PACKAGE : I Bid Document VOLUME : II - Public Health Engineering

11.7 Testing.
After laying and jointing, the pipeline must be pressure tested to ensure that the
pipes and joints are sound enough to withstand the maximum pressure likely to be
developed under working conditions. The contractor shall submit for the Engineers
approval, details of his proposed methods and programme for testing including
details of test equipments and shall arrange for all tests to be witnessed by the
Engineer or his representative. The contractor shall provide all things necessary for
carrying out testing and cleaning including water pumps, gauges, piped
connections, stop ends, and all other temporary works.
Pipelines shall be properly completed and supported before being put under test.
No testing will be permitted until ten days after thrust blocks and other holding
down works have been completed. In addition to any tests of individual joints or
other interim tests which may be specified elsewhere, the contractor shall submit,
all parts of the pipelines to a final test. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
contractor may at any stage of construction, carry out such other tests as he
considers desirable to check materials and workmanship on the pipeline but this
shall not relieve the contractor of his obligations to achieve successful tests under
the contract.
All water required for testing and cleaning the pipelines shall be potable water and
shall be provided by the contractor at his cost. The test can be carried out by means
of a hand pump or a pressure pump.
Pipelines shall be tested in lengths between valve pits or such lengths as the
Engineer may direct or permit.
Fittings required for temporarily closing the openings in pipelines to be tested shall
be properly designed for this purpose and shall be adequately strutted to withstand
the pressure specified.
The completed pipeline may be tested in sections; the length of section should be
decided by considering:
(a) The availability of suitable water;
(b) The number of joints to be inspected; and
(c) The difference in elevation between one part of the pipeline and another.
The maximum length that can be tested in one operation shall be restricted to 500m
and minimum length shall be 50m.
GTS : General Technical specification. Page 88