Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 248 CMR - BOARD OF STATE EXAMINERS OF PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTERS › Title 248 CMR 10.00 - UNIFORM STATE PLUMBING CODE › Section 10.04 - Testing and Safety

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
Survey
. Prior to the commencement of work, all
			 portions of existing systems that will be directly affected by proposed
			 plumbing work shall be surveyed by the licensed plumber to insure the existing
			 systems are adequate to support the proposed work.
(2)
Testing and Inspections of
			 the Plumbing System
. All testing shall adhere to the
			 manufacturer's testing requirements of the materials being tested.
(a)
Testing and Inspection of
			 Rough Plumbing
. Prior to requesting an inspection of rough
			 plumbing, the licensee shall choose one of the testing methods listed in
			 248
			 CMR 10.04 to ensure the safe and proper
			 functionality of the installed plumbing system. All testing shall be performed
			 in accordance with product manufacturer instructions.
Exception
: The testing of plumbing systems in
			 manufactured and modular buildings shall be accomplished by performing a
			 non-destructive test and without removal of walls or other pre-fabricated
			 building components. The Inspector may require the permit holder or other
			 licensee employed by the permit holder to be on site, with
			 248 CMR
			 10.00.
1.
Methods of Testing the Drainage and Vent System
.
a.
Water Test
. A
			 water test shall be applied to the drainage system either in its entirety or in
			 sections. If applied to the entire system, all openings in the piping shall be
			 tightly closed, except the highest opening and the system filled with water to
			 point of overflow. If the system is tested in sections, each opening shall be
			 tightly plugged, except the highest opening of the section under test, and each
			 section shall be filled with water, but no section shall be tested with less
			 than a ten-foot head of water. When testing successive sections, at least the
			 upper ten feet of the next preceding section shall be tested, so that no joint
			 or pipe in the building (except the uppermost ten feet of the system) shall
			 have been submitted to a test that utilizes less than a ten-foot head of water.
			 The water shall be kept in the system or in the portion under test for at least
			 15 minutes before the inspection starts: the system shall then be tight at all
			 points.
b.
Air
			 Test
. An air test shall be performed by attaching an air
			 compressor testing apparatus to any suitable opening, and, after closing all
			 other inlets and outlets to the system, forcing air into the system, until
			 there is a uniform gauge pressure of five PSIG or enough pressure to balance a
			 column of mercury ten inches in height. This pressure shall be held without
			 introduction of additional air for a period of at least fifteen minutes. The
			 gauge used for this test shall be calibrated in increments no greater than 
			 1/10 of a pound.
d.
Peppermint
			 Test
. A peppermint test shall only be used and performed on the
			 concealed piping within existing buildings or structures. The test shall be
			 applied by creating a liquid mixture with the appropriate amount of oil of
			 peppermint and hot water. The mixture shall be poured down a main stack. The
			 stack opening shall then be sealed. The individual who has handled the oil of
			 peppermint or the peppermint mixture shall not enter the building until the
			 test has been completed. The presence of the aroma of the oil of peppermint may
			 potentially be present on the individual who created the mixture and will
			 compromise the building environment under test and observation.
e.
Smoke Test
. A
			 smoke test shall be performed by obtaining smoke injector equipment designed
			 for the purpose of producing and introducing a heavy volume of smoke. Smoke
			 injector testing equipment utilizes several methods for producing adequate
			 smoke conditions for testing; manufacturers' recommendations shall be observed.
			 The discharge hose from the smoke injector equipment shall be extended to and
			 through a smoke test cap or plug and all voids encompassing the hose shall be
			 sealed with putty or another similar compound. When the entire system or
			 portion thereof is charged with smoke, air pressure equal to U2 water column
			 shall be applied. Defects, failures, and leaks in the piping system will be
			 revealed by plumes of smoke that will discharge through
			 them.