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SECTION 7 ♦ Testing Recommendations In buried applications, it is suggested that long pipe runs be partially backfilled at various points to secure them in place. All joints and connections should be left exposed for inspection. SMITH FIBERGLASS PRODUCTS RECOMMENDS A THAT YOU DO NOT TEST ANY INSTALLATION WITH AIR OR GAS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZ- ARDS CREATED. The light weight, flexibility, and elastici- ty of fiberglass pipe create different conditions than are present with steel pipe. If a failure should occur while testing fiberglass pipe with air or gas, the system would be subject to considerable whipping and other shock - induced conditions due to the sudden release of stored energy. The violent release can cause severe personal injury or death to personnel in the area and can also cause property damage to the pipe or other property. If a line is tested with air or gas, Smith Fiberglass Products will not be responsible for any resulting injury to person- nel or damage to property, including the pipe. If there is no alternative to testing with air or gas, Smith Fiberglass Products will recommend test procedures and precautions to minimize possible hazards, but will not bear responsi- bility for damage or injury under any circumstances. Such testing is done entirely at the risk of those in- volved. 1.7.2 Test Procedures Installed Smith Fiberglass Products pipe systems should be tested prior to use to assure soundness of all joints and connections. In testing, sudden pressure surges or "water hammer" must be avoided, as in some instances surge or hammer can produce pressures of several times the rating of the pipe and fittings. Locate pressure gauge in close proximity to the pressurizing equipment—not directly on the piping system. Pressure gauge with the test pressure at midscale is recommended. The normal recommended procedure is to conduct a hy- drostatic cyclic pressure test. The piping system is subject- ed to 10 pressurization cycles at 1M times the anticipated or design operating pressure. Note: For low pressure ap- plications, it is best to use the pressure rating of the pipe as the design operating pressure, i.e. test at I/ times the cyclic rating. The test pressure should not exceed 13'2 times the maximum rated operating pressure for the lowest rated element in the system. Pressure is then kept on the system for 1-8 hours while the Iine is inspect- ed for leaks. 1.7.3 Air Test Procedures and Safety PrecautionsM TESTING WITH AIR OR GAS IS EXTREMELY DAN- GEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE DONE, CONSULT (I) Do not use these testing procedures and safety precautions for Smith Fiberglass Products secondary containment piping systems. See Part Two, YOUR SMITH FIBERGLASS PRODUCTS REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL SMITH FIBERGLASS PRODUCTS AT 501-568- 4010 IF YOU CONTEMPLATE EXCEEDING THE RECOM- MENDED PRESSURES FOR THE LOWEST RATED ELE- MENT OF THE SYSTEM, OR IF YOU CONTEMPLATE USING AIR OR GAS IN SPITE OF THIS WARNING. RE- VIEW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, PARA. 1.7.1, BEFORE STARTING THE TEST. If testing with air or gas is required or requested to be per- formed, the following testing procedures and precautions must be followed. As in any system where pressure is employed, adequate safety precautions must be exercised. EXERCISE DUE CARE IN INSTALLING AND TESTING THE PIPING SYS- TEM. DO NOT ASSUME THE RISK OF INJURY OR PROP- ERTY DAMAGE. Visually inspect all bonded joints for proper insertion and adhesive cure prior to pressurizing the piping sys- tem. A gap between the adhesive bead and the fitting shoulder indicates that the possibility of joint failure exists. Make any necessary repairs before pressurizing the piping system. See Para. 1.6.9 for potential causes of joint failure. 2. Check the integrity of the joints by pressurizing the system to 25 psig (0.172 MPa) and holding the pres- sure for a minimum of one minute, then soap all joints to test for leaks. 0 3. If there are no leaks, raise the line pressure in the sys- tem to a maximum of 50 prig (0.345 MPa). Again hold the pressure for at least one minute, and soap all joints to check for leaks. 4. As serious personal injury or death can result, Qthe pipe inspector should take precautions for his/her personal safety and protection against flying debris, and also against the whipping action of the pipe, which can result from the sudden release of stored energy. Goggles should be worn to protect against flying debris. 5. Avoid personal contact with the piping system while it is pressurized during testing, except for the actual checking of the joints for leaks. Absolutely no one should be in the trench while the pipe is being initially pressurized for leak testing. Notify all site personnel before beginning the testing procedure. A 6. Do not straddle the pipe during testing or while checking the piping system for possible leaks. Section 8 of this manual for testing procedures for secondary containment piping systems. 0 18 do Installation Instructions