Welcome to John’s Blog. Answers to frequently asked questions are periodically posted here. The objective is to share information about PVC pipe with readers as well as with utilities, design engineers and pipe installers. The blog provides the latest information on PVC pipe design, installation, and application for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
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John Houle: Senior Technical Consultant, PVC Pipe Industry
John Houle holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri and an MBA from the University of Oregon. He has more than 25 years of experience in the plastic pipe industry in applications engineering, market development, forensic analysis, technical writing, and standards development.
Question – one question that I hear quite often about testing of installed PVC pressure pipe is: “What is the maximum test pressure I can use?” Answer – since every component of a pressure pipeline has a pressure rating, the simple reply is: Do not exceed the pressure rating of any of the pipeline components.
From the AWWA C605 installation standard that is the basis for most project specifications, the instructions are similar: “In no case shall the test pressure exceed the rated working pressure for any joint, thrust restraint, valve, fitting, or other connected appurtenance of the test section.” For the pipe itself, the answer is: the maximum test pressure should not exceed the pressure class of the pipe. For my Tech Brief on the subject, click here.
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