The entire pipeline must be pressure tested following installation and before full backfilling commences, in the presence of an Irish Water field engineer or agent. We carry out hydrostatic pressure testing to IW-CDS-5020-03 (Section 4.10.3) and IGN 4-01-03 — Guide to Testing of Pressure Pipes and Fittings for Use by Public Water Suppliers (October 2015). Separate procedures apply to Ductile Iron and Polyethylene pressure pipelines. A formal test report is submitted to the Irish Water field engineer on completion, regardless of the result. A hard copy printout from the data logger forms part of the Final Documents required for Conformance Certificate application.
What We Carry Out
- Testing carried out after jointing and before full backfilling — all joints exposed during test
- All exposed pipeline and chambers visually checked for leaks and damp spots during the test
- Ductile Iron mains: system test pressure (STP) of 1.5 × MDP (minimum 10 bar) — preliminary settlement phase followed by 1-hour test period and 1-hour observation period
- Polyethylene mains: STP of 1.5 × MDP (minimum 10 bar) — relaxation curve recorded throughout test period; acceptance criteria per IGN 4-01-03 Section 5.4.4
- PrimeLog digital data logger — hard copy printout of test record submitted to Irish Water as part of Final Documents
- All pressure gauges and flow meters fully calibrated — calibration certificates available for inspection on site
- Formal test report submitted to Irish Water field engineers in accordance with Section 4 of IGN 4-01-03, regardless of result
- Water used for testing obtained from the Irish Water Network; all test water disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner
