civilman72
Civil/Environmental
- Feb 13, 2007
- 408
Anyone have any insight or experience with vacuum testing for sanitary sewer mains, and/or any relevant testing specifications from a pipe manufacturer or water/sewer district? Quick background:
It’s standard practice for many local water/sewer districts to perform vacuum testing on sanitary sewer manholes prior to acceptance of new infrastructure, and perform air-pressure tests on the sanitary mains. The contractor on a water/sewer project that I (engineer) need to sign off on wants to also vacuum test the sanitary sewer mains. I have tried to track down specifications and testing requirements from other water/sewer districts for ss main vacuum testing with no luck.
My understanding is the District’s concerned that the gaskets could be compromised during vacuum testing, and the contractors concerned that these same gaskets may be compromised during the air-pressure test.
To me, an improperly seated gasket will be compromised during either testing procedure (which is the point right?), and that the contractor is required to repair the failed joint no matter the testing procedure, so to me either procedure should be fine, but also want to make sure I’m not missing something. Thanks.
It’s standard practice for many local water/sewer districts to perform vacuum testing on sanitary sewer manholes prior to acceptance of new infrastructure, and perform air-pressure tests on the sanitary mains. The contractor on a water/sewer project that I (engineer) need to sign off on wants to also vacuum test the sanitary sewer mains. I have tried to track down specifications and testing requirements from other water/sewer districts for ss main vacuum testing with no luck.
My understanding is the District’s concerned that the gaskets could be compromised during vacuum testing, and the contractors concerned that these same gaskets may be compromised during the air-pressure test.
To me, an improperly seated gasket will be compromised during either testing procedure (which is the point right?), and that the contractor is required to repair the failed joint no matter the testing procedure, so to me either procedure should be fine, but also want to make sure I’m not missing something. Thanks.
