Dry testing radiator circuit
 

I guess this device enables a radiator circuit to be pressurised with
air from a car pump??

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...0179&ts=84005#

Is it a simple matter of closing all the radiator valves and pumping
up the system?

Thanks

Mr F.

Mr Fizzion wrote:
I guess this device enables a radiator circuit to be pressurised with
air from a car pump??

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...0179&ts=84005#

Is it a simple matter of closing all the radiator valves and pumping
up the system?

pretty much.
I used one but left radiator valves open to check soundness of the
whole circuit.

also used a couple of Wicks push fit blanking cap things to blank off
sections of pipe which had no radiators currently.

Also enabled pipes to be left pressurised while carrying out other
flooring construction.

Very usefull device.

--
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In article ,
"Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk" writes:
Mr Fizzion wrote:
I guess this device enables a radiator circuit to be pressurised with
air from a car pump??

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...0179&ts=84005#

Is it a simple matter of closing all the radiator valves and pumping
up the system?

pretty much.
I used one but left radiator valves open to check soundness of the
whole circuit.

also used a couple of Wicks push fit blanking cap things to blank off
sections of pipe which had no radiators currently.

Also enabled pipes to be left pressurised while carrying out other
flooring construction.

Very usefull device.

Also see
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...cc5c2fe872a571

--
Andrew Gabriel

Mr Fizzion wrote:
I guess this device enables a radiator circuit to be pressurised with
air from a car pump??

The relevant BS on pipe testing recommends that air testing should only
be used as a last resort and that, if it is necessary, the area should
be evacuated. I would strongly suggest that you pressure test with
water.

Part of the purpose of pressure testing is to cause the failure of any
weak joints. With air, a considerable amount of energy goes into
compressing it and it is released explosively in the event of a
failure. Bits of pipe or fittings could go flying. 5 or 6 psi could
easily put someone's eye out. This device goes to up to 60 psi;
ignorance is bliss.

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 10:42:29 +0100, Mr Fizzion wrote:

I guess this device enables a radiator circuit to be pressurised with
air from a car pump??

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...0179&ts=84005#

Is it a simple matter of closing all the radiator valves and pumping
up the system?

Thanks

I reckon testing it dry using about 0.5-1.0 bar this will show up major
faults (you won't even get it started) and more minor ones can be found by
listening and by using gas leak detector.

The put the water in and test to 3.0 bar.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Ed Sirett wrote:
I reckon testing it dry using about 0.5-1.0 bar this will show up major
faults

Pressure testing with air is inherently dangerous. The BSI's panel of
experts who compiled the BS on pressure testing recommended against it.
Lots of people do it as routine, usually those who haven't seen a
failure under air pressure.

There was some programme in which a bunch of trainees had to build a
flat in a development. They got an 'expert plumber' in who tested their
non-expert plumbing by connecting his 50 psi B&Q compressor to it and
switching on. There were lots of leaks.

listening and by using gas leak detector.

Eh? Gas detectors use sniffer type things, don't they. Do you have an
ultra- sonic one (who from), or are you thinking in terms of gas pipes?

In article .com,
"Aidan" says...

Ed Sirett wrote:
I reckon testing it dry using about 0.5-1.0 bar this will show up major
faults

Pressure testing with air is inherently dangerous. The BSI's panel of
experts who compiled the BS on pressure testing recommended against it.
Lots of people do it as routine, usually those who haven't seen a
failure under air pressure.

There was some programme in which a bunch of trainees had to build a
flat in a development. They got an 'expert plumber' in who tested their
non-expert plumbing by connecting his 50 psi B&Q compressor to it and
switching on. There were lots of leaks.

listening and by using gas leak detector.

Eh? Gas detectors use sniffer type things, don't they. Do you have an
ultra- sonic one (who from), or are you thinking in terms of gas pipes?

It's a spray-on foam that makes leaks easy to see.

Rob Morley wrote:
It's a spray-on foam that makes leaks easy to see.

Of course. I was thinking of an electric gadget.

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 15:06:41 -0700, Aidan wrote:


Ed Sirett wrote:
I reckon testing it dry using about 0.5-1.0 bar this will show up major
faults

Pressure testing with air is inherently dangerous. The BSI's panel of
experts who compiled the BS on pressure testing recommended against it.
Lots of people do it as routine, usually those who haven't seen a
failure under air pressure.


The energy stored goes up with the square of absolute pressure, hence
testing to a modest pressure should be _much_ less hazardous.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Aidan wrote:

The relevant BS on pipe testing recommends that air testing should only
be used as a last resort and that, if it is necessary, the area should
be evacuated. I would strongly suggest that you pressure test with
water.

I have spent many years pressure testing pipes in aircraft with
compressed gas and I have never seen anything explode. Leak a lot, yes,
but never explode. This includes 3 to 4 inch aluminium, thin wall, pipes
pressurized to 50 PSI.

Part of the purpose of pressure testing is to cause the failure of any
weak joints.

No, it is to expose a weak joint, not to cause its failure. Proper
pressure testing is done in stages, by increasing the pressure slowly,
to establish that joints are secure. Any one in their right mind would
never apply a high pressure to an unknown pipe network without bringing
up the pressure slowly.

Dave