TESTING OF DRAINAGE AND VENTING SYSTEMS BY WATER TEST
As required by Article 7.3.6.4. of the Ontario Building Code.
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
Every opening except the highest shall be tightly closed in
each section of pipe. If the entire system is not tested,
each section shall be 3 m high and include 1.5 m of the
section below.
Filling the piping completely with water until overflowing,
standard industry practice is for a 5 foot head on
underground piping.
Visually examining all of the piping, fittings and
connections after 15 minutes has passed to ensure no
leakage.
If the water level has remained constant with no additional
water being added and no sign of leakage or seepage, then
the piping will have passed the water test.
If the water level does not remain constant, then the leak
will have to be located and repaired. The test procedure
will then be repeated again.
NOTES: Some municipalities are allowing the water test up to
the highest bathtub outlet to test the waste and
overflow rather than to the vent stack in single family
dwellings. On high rise buildings care must be used to
ensure the material can withstand the pressures being
exerted.
TESTING OF DRAINAGE AND VENTING SYSTEMS BY AIR TEST
As required by Article 7.3.6.5. of the Ontario Building Code
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
Every opening shall be closed and an air compressor
(pressurized cylinder with an inert gas is sometimes used)
is securely attached to the piping.
Air is forced into the system until a pressure of 35 kPa (5
psi) is obtained.
Visually examining all of the piping, fittings and
connections after 15 minutes has passed to ensure no
leakage.
If the pressure has remained constant with no additional air
being forced in and no sign of leakage or seepage, then the
piping will have passed the air test.
If the air pressure does not remain constant, then the leak
will have to be located and repaired. The test procedure
will then be repeated again.
NOTES: If the air temperature changes by 2.5 øC (5øF) then the
results of this test will not be correct due to
expansion or contraction of the air in the piping. It
is far more difficult to find leakage using this method
than the water test. Usually a mixture of soap and
water is required on every joint to find a leak.
TESTING OF DRAINAGE USING A BALL TEST
As required by Article 7.3.6.7.
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
A test ball, usually a billiard ball, shall be placed at the
high end of the pipe, and allowed to roll through the pipe
to the low end of the pipe. If there are not obstructions
and the pipe is graded correctly, it shall be caught and
removed. The piping then passes the ball test.
If the ball doesn't roll all the way through, an inspector
will usually allow one 5 gallon bucket of water to be poured
into the drain. If this does not dislodge the ball and
cause it to roll through the piping then the piping does not
pass the ball test.
The ball will then have to be retrieved and procedure 1
completed again.
NOTES: On newly installed plastic piping, the solvent is
heavily corrosive towards billiard balls. The solvent
must be given time to cure otherwise the ball will not
be able to roll through.
FINAL TESTING OF DRAINAGE AND VENTING SYSTEMS
As required by Article 7.3.6.6. of the Ontario Building Code.
GENERAL PROCEDURE:
Fill all traps to their minimum water seal
Plug the building drain through the main cleanout where the
drain leaves the building
All future connections are capped with permanent caps.
One test procedure is done.
A final visual is done for the plumbing fixtures and trim.
TEST PROCEDURE #1
Smoke (or air) is forced into the system through the main
cleanout or other convenient connection.
When the smoke appears at the vent terminal it shall be
closed.
Smoke will continue to be added until a pressure of 1 inch
water column is achieved.
This pressure will then be maintained for a minimum of 15
minutes without the addition of more smoke.
If this pressure cannot be maintained, the leak shall be
located and repaired. Once this is complete the procedure
shall be completed once more.
The test equipment is removed, the main drain unplugged, and
the caps on the vent terminals removed. All traps are to
have their trap seals replenished if necessary.
TEST PROCEDURE #2
A toilet bowl is filled slowly with water, until the level
in the bowl rises to the underside of the bowl rim.
If the system is air tight, the level of the water in the
bowl will remain at the underside of the bowl rim. The
pressure that is created by the head of the water is equal
to the air pressure in the plumbing system. This proves the
system air tight.
If the water level drops slowly, a small leak in the system
is evident. If the water will not rise at all, then a large
leak is evident. The leak must be located and repaired.
The final test must then be repeated.
Once the water level has remained constant for 15 minutes, a
cleanout will be opened or the plug in the main drain
pulled. At this time the toilet bowl will flush and the
traps may siphon.
The caps on the vent terminals are to be removed and the
water seal replenished on all fixtures.
NOTES: This method uses no gauges and will exert a pressure
equal to or greater than 1 inch water column.
This information is provided as a public service, but we cannot guarantee that the
information is current or accurate. Readers should verify the information before acting
on it.
