ASTM F3535-21
Standard Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyamide-12 (PA12) Pressure Piping Systems Using Gaseous Testing Media Under Pressure (Pneumatic Leak Testing)

Standard No.

ASTM F3535-21

Release Date

2021

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM F3535-21

Scope

1.1 This practice provides information on apparatus, safety, pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests of polyamide-12 (PA12) pressure piping systems after installation using gaseous testing media such as un-odorized inert non-toxic gas or air, and applying pressure to determine if leaks exist in the system (pneumatic leak testing). This practice applies only to testing to discover leakage. Testing for other purposes such as testing to establish operating pressure is beyond the scope of this practice. 1.2 Leak testing with pressurized gaseous testing media shall be used only if one or both of the following conditions exists: 1.2.1 The piping system is so designed that it cannot be filled with a liquid, or 1.2.2 The piping system service cannot tolerate traces of liquid testing media. 1.3 Where hydrostatic testing is specified in contract documents or by the authority having jurisdiction, testing using pressurized gaseous testing media (pneumatic) testing shall not be substituted without the express consent and authorization of the authority having jurisdiction. 1.4 Some manufacturers prohibit or restrict testing of their products with pressurized gaseous testing media. Contact component manufacturers for information. Where the manufacturer of a test section component prohibits or restricts testing with pressurized gaseous testing media testing in accordance with this practice shall not be used without the express consent and authorization of the authority having jurisdiction and the component manufacturer. NOTE 1—Components that are not suitable for testing with gaseous testing media may not be suitable for service with pressurized gas. 1.5 This practice does not address leak testing using pressurized liquids (hydrostatic testing). For field leak testing using pressurized liquids, consult the manufacturer for guidance. 1.6 This practice does not apply to leak testing of nonpressure, negative pressure (vacuum), or non-PA12 (polyamide-12) piping systems. 1.7 This practice does not apply to fuel gas piping systems that extend from the point of delivery to the appliance connections. For other than undiluted liquefied petroleum gas (LP-Gas) systems, the point of delivery shall be considered to be the outlet of the service meter assembly or the outlet of the service regulator or service shutoff valve where no meter is provided. For undiluted LP-Gas, the point of delivery shall be considered to be the outlet of the final pressure regulator, exclusive of line gas regulators, in the system. This practice does not apply to LP-Gas systems covered under NFPA 58. 1.8 This practice is intended for use with PA12 pressure piping that conveys gaseous media under pressure (compressed gas) if the owner or operator or installer of the line does not have an established leak testing procedure that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. 1.9 Warning—Failure during a pressurized gaseous testing media leak test can be extremely violent and dangerous because energy that is applied to compress the gaseous testing media and to pressurize the system will both be suddenly released. NOTE 2—To illustrate the violent hazard of failure, assume a 5 HP compressor is used to raise the test section to test pressure and that it takes 1 h to achieve test pressure. If sudden rupture occurs, energy release may occur in 2 s. Therefore, the horsepower of the energy release would be 5 HP × 1 h × 3600 s/h / 2 s = 9000 HP. Further, if diameter is doubled, energy release is four times greater. For an example test section that is twice the diameter, energy release would be 36 000 HP. 1.10 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Numbered 1 This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test Methods. Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. DOI: 10.1520/F3535–21 Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 8QLYHUVLW\RI7RURQWR 8QLYHUVLW\RI7RURQWR SXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG 'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\ &RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW O DOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG :HG'HF*07 notes and information in parentheses in the text of the practice are non-mandatory information. Table notes are mandatory information. 1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.12 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM F3535-21 Referenced Document

• ASTM D1600 Standard Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
• ASTM F412 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems*， 2023-07-20 Update

ASTM F3535-21 history

• 2021 ASTM F3535-21 Standard Practice for Field Leak Testing of Polyamide-12 (PA12) Pressure Piping Systems Using Gaseous Testing Media Under Pressure (Pneumatic Leak Testing)