33 05 05.41 - Air Testing.pdf
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- Attached to
- Contract 2026-01: Maintenance & Emergency Contract (Excavation) – Project No. 7297. 0444
- Solicitation number
- Not on record
- Issued by
- York County, Pennsylvania
About this file
This is a technical specification document for air testing procedures related to gravity sewer piping, prepared by Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. for West Manchester Township, Pennsylvania under Contract 2026-01 (Project No. 007297.0444). The specification outlines mandatory low-pressure air testing requirements for all gravity sewer piping within the township's sanitary sewer system unless otherwise approved. Before testing commences, contractors must submit testing procedures, equipment lists, testing sequence schedules, water disposal provisions, and pressure gage calibration certification. The specification requires lamping (internal visual inspection) of all pipe sections between manholes in the presence of township representatives to verify uniform line and grade installation. Testing utilizes air compressors, regulators, relief valves, calibrated pressure gages (±0.1 psi accuracy), plugs, and stopwatches to introduce air pressure slowly to approximately 4 psig, adjusted based on groundwater elevation above the pipe spring line, with maximum pressure not exceeding 10 psig.
The air testing methodology establishes specific minimum testing durations per 100 feet of pipe based on diameter, ranging from 3 minutes 46 seconds for 4-inch pipe to 51 minutes 17 seconds for 36-inch pipe, with minimum test times of 2.5, 4, and 5 minutes respectively for smaller diameter laterals. Test failure is defined as air pressure drop exceeding 1.0 psi during the testing period; any pressure drop of 1.0 psi or less indicates acceptable piping. The contractor bears responsibility for identifying leak sources through incremental stage testing, executing repairs, and retesting until successful results are achieved. All visible leaks must be repaired regardless of leakage quantity, and all laterals installed into manholes require individual air testing. Sealed bids for the overall maintenance and emergency contract were due by 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with bids received online through PennBID and publicly opened at that time.
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Text version
33 05 05.41 - AIR TESTING
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 33 05 05.41 - 1 007297.0444
SECTION 33 05 05.41 - AIR TESTING
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
A. Section Includes: Low-pressure air testing of gravity sewer piping.
B. Related Requirements:
1. Section 33 31 11 - Public Sanitary Sewerage Gravity Piping: Pipe materials, manholes, and accessories normally encountered with gravity sewerage piping.
1.2 SUBMITTALS
A. Section 01 33 00 - Submittal Procedures: Requirements for submittals.
B. Submit following items prior to start of testing:
1. Testing procedures.
2. List of test equipment.
3. Testing sequence schedule.
4. Provisions for disposal of flushing and test water.
5. Certification of test gage calibration.
1.3 REQUIREMENTS
A. Air testing shall be performed on all gravity sewer piping unless approved otherwise.
B. The Contractor shall determine and correct the causes of test failure and retest until successful test results are achieved.
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 AIR TESTING
A. Equipment:
1. Air compressor.
2. Air supply line.
3. Shutoff valves.
4. Pressure regulator.
5. Pressure relief valve.
6. Stopwatch.
7. Plugs.
8. Pressure Gage: Calibrated to 0.1 psi.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 EXAMINATION
A. Section 01 73 00 - Execution Requirements: Requirements for installation examination.
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 33 05 05.41 - 2 007297.0444
B. Verify that piping is ready for testing.
C. Verify that trenches are backfilled.
3.2 PREPARATION
A. Section 01 73 00 - Execution Requirements: Requirements for preparation.
B. Lamping:
1. Lamp gravity piping after flushing and cleaning in the presence of the Township.
2. Perform lamping operation by shining light at one end of each pipe section between manholes.
3. The Township will observe the light at other end.
4. Pipe not installed with uniform line and grade will be rejected.
5. Remove and reinstall rejected pipe sections.
6. Clean and lamp until pipe section is installed to uniform line and grade.
C. Plugs:
1. Plug outlets, wye branches, and laterals.
2. Brace plugs to resist test pressures.
3.3 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL
A. Section 01 40 00 - Quality Requirements: Requirements for inspecting and testing.
B. Low-Pressure Air Testing:
1. Test each reach of gravity sewer piping between manholes.
2. Introduce air pressure slowly to approximately 4 psig.
3. Determine ground water elevation above spring line of piping.
4. For every foot of ground water above spring line of piping, increase starting air test pressure by 0.43 psi.
5. Do not increase pressure above 10 psig.
6. Allow pressure to stabilize for at least five minutes.
7. Adjust pressure to 3.5 psig or to increased test pressure as determined above when ground water is present.
8. Do not make allowance for laterals.
9. Minimum Testing Duration in Minutes Per 100 Feet:
a. Pipe Size 4 Inches: 3:46.
b. Pipe Size 6 Inches: 5:40.
c. Pipe Size 8 Inches: 7:34.
d. Pipe Size 10 Inches: 9:26.
e. Pipe Size 12 Inches: 11:20.
f. Pipe Size 15 Inches: 14:10.
g. Pipe Size 18 Inches: 17:00.
h. Pipe Size 21 Inches: 19:50.
i. Pipe Size 24 Inches: 22:47.
j. Pipe Size 27 Inches: 28:51.
k. Pipe Size 30 Inches: 35:37.
l. Pipe Size 36 Inches: 51:17.
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 33 05 05.41 - 3 007297.0444
m. Pipe Size 42 Inches: 69:48.
10. Record drop in pressure during testing period.
11. If air pressure drops more than 1.0 psi during testing period, piping has failed.
12. If 1.0-psi air pressure drop has not occurred during testing period, piping is acceptable; discontinue testing.
13. If piping fails, test reach of piping in incremental stages until leaks are isolated, repair leaks, and retest entire reach between manholes.
14. If unsatisfactory testing results are achieved, make necessary repairs and retest until result meets criteria.
15. Repair visible leaks regardless of quantity of leakage.
16. All laterals installed into manholes shall be air tested. Regardless of pipe length, the minimum test times for 4-inch diameter, 6-inch diameter, and 8-inch diameter pipes are 2.5, 4 and 5 minutes, respectively.
END OF SECTION
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