All sanitary sewers 21 inches and smaller including service lines shall pass a low pressure air test before acceptance. The village may, at their discretion, require in addition to or in lieu of the low pressure air test an exfiltration test as described in division (B) of this section which follows prior to final acceptance. Sanitary sewers 24 inches and larger shall pass an exfiltration test described in division (B) of this section and be subject to a physical inspection by the village. Additionally, manholes are subject to physical inspection and vacuum testing described in division (D) of this section.
(A) Low pressure air test procedures and requirements. The procedure for low pressure air testing shall follow that set forth in Section 31, Paragraph 31-1.11B(3) of the State Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Construction. All plugs including those in the upstream end of sanitary services must be carefully braced to prevent leakage and blowout. The line being tested shall be deemed acceptable when the time taken for the one pound pressure drop is not less than that shown in the Air Test Table which follows at the end of § 57.037.
(B) Exfiltration test procedures and requirements.
(1) The exfiltration test shall be performed in the absence of ground water in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 31, Paragraph 31-1.11B(1) of the State Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Construction.
(2) The amount of exfiltration shall not exceed 200 gallons per inch of pipe diameter per mile per day, including all manholes and service lines. The Village Engineer shall be the sole judge of the results.
(C) Deflection testing of PVC pipe. All main sewers shall be tested for excess deflection by pulling a "go-no go" mandrel through the pipe from manhole to manhole. The outside diameter of the test mandrel shall be equal to 95% of the original inside diameter of the pipe being used. The main sewers shall be so tested no sooner than 30 days after they have been installed. Wherever possible and practical, the testing shall initiate at the downstream lines and proceed towards the upstream lines. Where deflection is found to be in excess of 5% of the original pipe diameter, the contractor shall excavate to the point of excess deflection and carefully compact around the point where excess deflection was found. The line shall then be retested for deflection. However, should, after the initial testing, the deflected pipe fail to return to the original size (inside diameter), the line shall be replaced.
(D) Vacuum testing manholes. All new manholes shall be subject to a vacuum test. The test is applicable for new manholes. The vacuum test shall be performed after backfilling is completed. The testing agency is to comply with the following guidelines:
(1) Use manufactured vacuum test equipment meeting the Engineer's approval and should follow equipment manufacturer's recommended procedures throughout the test, unless directed otherwise required by this specification.
(2) Use extreme care and follow safety precautions during testing operations. Keep personnel clear of manholes during testing.
(3) Seal all openings except manhole top access using pneumatic plugs rated for test pressures. Install plugs according to test equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
(4) Brace pipe inverts if connecting pipes have not been backfilled.
(5) Install vacuum tester head assembly on manhole top access, and Inflate seal.
(6) Evacuate manhole to ten inches Hg (mercury) or five psi, close isolation valve and start test. The start time of the test should be recorded.
(7) Maintain vacuum in manhole for the time indicated in table for the diameter and depth of manhole being tested.
(8) Allowable vacuum loss: one inch Hg.
(9) Test failure is indicated by vacuum loss greater than allowable within the minimum test time indicated in table for the size of manhole being tested.
Minimum Test Times for Various Manhole Diameters | |||||
Depth, Feet | Diameter, inches | ||||
48 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | |
Time, Seconds | |||||
8 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 33 |
10 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 36 | 41 |
12 | 30 | 35 | 39 | 43 | 49 |
14 | 35 | 41 | 46 | 51 | 57 |
16 | 40 | 46 | 52 | 58 | 67 |
18 | 45 | 52 | 59 | 65 | 73 |
20 | 50 | 53 | 65 | 72 | 81 |
22 | 55 | 64 | 72 | 79 | 89 |
Minimum Test Times for Various Manhole Diameters | |||||
Depth, Feet | Diameter, inches | ||||
48 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | |
Time, Seconds | |||||
24 | 59 | 64 | 78 | 87 | 97 |
26 | 64 | 75 | 85 | 94 | 105 |
28 | 69 | 81 | 91 | 101 | 113 |
(E) Test results. If the sanitary sewer installation fails to meet the test requirements specified, the contractor shall determine the cause or causes of the defect and shall, at his or her own expense, repair or replace all materials and workmanship as may be necessary to comply with the test requirements.
(Ord. 07-57, passed 12-17-2007)