La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § IX-175

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-175 - Pressure Test, Leak Checks, and Inspection Required

A. Pressure Tests

1. Shall be performed on all new piping systems and on piping systems that has been modified or had new piping added.

2. The length of time of the pressure test shall be not less than 1/2 hour for each 500 cubic feet of pipe volume or fraction thereof, except when pressure testing less than 10 cubic feet of pipe volume or a single family dwelling, the duration of the test may be reduced to 15 minutes.

3. The test pressure of the Pressure Test shall be 1 1/2 times the proposed operating pressure of the system but in no case less than 3 psig.

4. There shall be no gain or loss in pressure during the test. If leakage is indicated, the system shall be repaired and a new pressure test performed before placing in service.

5. The pressure source shall be isolated before the test.

6. No underground piping shall be covered until after inspection and the pressure test are made.

7. Pressure tests shall be documented in the dealer's files.

B. Leak Checks

1. Low Pressure Leak Checks

a. Shall be used on systems that receive gas at pressures of 1/2 psig or less.

b. Shall be performed the first time a tank, piping system and appliances are connected for use.

c. Shall be performed in any suspected leak situation.

d. Shall be performed the first-time service of a new customer.

e. Shall be performed in all out-of-gas and interruption of service situations. A High Pressure Leak Check will be permitted in lieu of the Low Pressure Leak Check if the dealer has documented in his files a Low Pressure Leak Check within the past 12 months for that customer or has filed such documentation with the office of the director within the past 12 months for that customer.

f. The length of time for this test shall be 3 minutes.

g. The test pressure for this test shall be 9 inches + or - 1/2 inch of water column or equivalent.

h. Low Pressure Leak Checks shall be documented in the dealer's files.

i. This leak check shall include all regulators, including appliance regulators and control valves in the system. Accordingly each individual equipment shutoff valve should be supplying pressure to its appliance for this leak check. This leak check shall prove the integrity of the 100 percent pilot shutoff of each gas valve so equipped, so the manual gas cock of each gas valve incorporating a100 percent pilot shutoff should be in the "on" position. Pilots not incorporating a 100 percent pilot shutoff valve and all manual gas valves not incorporating safety shutoff systems shall be placed in the "off" position prior to this leak check.

j. When leakage is indicated, repairs shall be made and a new leak check performed before placing the system back into service.

k. The following protocol shall be used for performing this leak check. Insert a water manometer or equivalent gauge into the system downstream of the final stage regulator, pressurizing the system with either fuel gas or another approved test medium to full operating pressure, close pressure service valve, observe gauge reading, lockup, should be between 10-14 inches of water column or equivalent, then release enough test medium through a range burner or other suitable means to drop the system pressure to 9 inches + or -1/2 inch in water column or equivalent. This ensures that all regulators are unlocked and the entire system is communicating to the gauging device. There shall be no loss or gain in pressure for a period of three minutes.

2. High Pressure Leak Checks

a. This leak check may be used on a system that receives gas at 1/2 psig or less, when a Low Pressure Leak Check has been performed and documented within the past 12 months by the dealer for that system. This type leak check may be performed once annually when access to the gas utilization equipment is not accessible.

b. This leak check may be used on systems that receive gas at pressures greater than 1/2 psig but less than tank pressure.

c. The length of time for this leak check is 3 minutes.

d. The test pressure for this leak check is 10 pounds below tank pressure.

e. These tests shall be documented in the dealer's files.

f. When leakage is indicated, repairs shall be made and a new leak check performed before placing the system into service.

g. The following protocol shall be used for this leak check. By inserting a pressure gauge between the container gas shutoff valve and the first stage regulator in the system, admitting full container pressure to the system and then closing the container shutoff valve. Enough gas should then be released to lower the pressure reading by 10 psi. System should then be allowed to stand for 3 minutes without an increase or decrease in the pressure gauge reading. This method will indicate if there is an open line, open valve, a standing pilot open or leak anywhere in the system and can be used only under the conditions stated in §175 B(2)(a) and (b) of this Section.

3. In out-of-gas or interruption of service situations and a leak check cannot be performed by the dealer, the procedure in §167 of this Code shall be used or the container cannot be serviced.

C. Inspections

1. Inspections shall be performed any time a pressure test, a high pressure leak check, or a low pressure leak check is performed. Exception: if the dealer has documented in his files an inspection of the system within the past 12 months for that system, no inspection is required.

2. Inspection shall include installation workmanship, all visible piping materials, connectors, appliances and other materials to ensure all materials, connectors, valves and appliances are approved for liquefied petroleum gas use.

3. Inspection shall include proper appliance installation and proper flame performance characteristics for the appliances.

4. Any materials, connectors, valves, appliances, or installation workmanship not in compliance with the codes shall be repaired, replaced, or disconnected.

5. Documentation that the inspection was performed shall be made by the dealer and retained in his files.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § IX-175

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission, LR 20:1403 (December 1994), amended LR 24:468 (March 1998), LR 24:2312 (December 1998), LR 29:2510 (November 2003), LR 33:1142 (June 2007), effective July 1, 2007, LR 38:1267 (May 2012).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1846.