Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-24 - General safety and health standards › Part G-3 - FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT › Section 296-24-59212 - Hydrostatic testing

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
You must ensure that an internal examination of cylinders
				  and shells to be tested is made prior to the hydrostatic tests in addition to
				  an external visual examination.
(2) You must ensure that portable fire
				extinguishers are hydrostatically tested whenever they show new evidence of
				corrosion or mechanical injury.
(3)
				You must ensure that hydrostatic tests are performed on extinguisher hose
				assemblies which are equipped with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge end of
				the hose. The test interval shall be the same as specified for the extinguisher
				on which the hose is installed.
(4)
				You must ensure that carbon dioxide hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle are
				hydrostatically tested at 1,250 psi (8,620 kPa).
(5) You must ensure that dry chemical and dry
				powder hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle are hydrostatically tested at 300
				psi (2,070 kPa).
(6) Hose
				assemblies passing a hydrostatic test do not require any type of recording or
				stamping.
(7) You must ensure that
				hose assemblies for carbon dioxide extinguishers that require a hydrostatic
				test are tested within a protective cage device.
(8) You must ensure that carbon dioxide
				extinguishers and nitrogen or carbon dioxide cylinders used with wheeled
				extinguishers are tested every five years at 5/3 of the service pressure as
				stamped into the cylinder. Nitrogen cylinders which comply with  29 C.F.R.
				173.34(e)(15)  may be hydrostatically tested every ten years.
(9) You must ensure that all stored pressure
				and Halon 1211 types of extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the factory
				test pressure not to exceed two times the service pressure.
(10) You must ensure that acceptable
				self-generating type soda acid and foam extinguishers are tested at 350 psi
				(2,410 kPa).
(11)You must not use
				air or gas pressure for hydrostatic testing.
(12)You must remove from service and from the
				workplace extinguisher shells, cylinders, or cartridges which fail a
				hydrostatic pressure test, or which are not fit for testing.
(13)You must meet the following requirements
				for gas cylinders:
(a)The equipment for
				testing compressed gas type cylinders must be of the water-jacket type. The
				equipment must be provided with an expansion indicator which operates with an
				accuracy within 1% of the total expansion or 0.1 cc (.1 mL) of
				liquid.
(b) The equipment for
				testing noncompressed gas type cylinders must consist of the following:
(i) A hydrostatic test pump, hand or power
				operated, capable of producing not less than 150% of the test pressure, which
				must include appropriate check valves and fittings;
(ii) A flexible connection for attachment to
				fittings to test through the extinguisher nozzle, test bonnet, or hose outlet,
				as is applicable; and
(iii) A
				protective cage or barrier for personal protection of the tester, designed to
				provide visual observation of the extinguisher under test.