Air testing of plumbing systems
This plumbing industry notice, issued on December 6, 2006, deals with the choice of plumbing tests.
ACTPLA requests that the plumbing industry adopt air testing. It proposes that air testing of plumbing installations begin December 2006 and continue until further notice.
The following conditions apply:
- the air test will apply to all new residential and commercial drainage and stack work
- new drainage work on extensions to existing drains that require retesting may continue to be water tested
- new work connected to existing drains must be air tested and
- water testing will be accepted if the water used is from a non-drinking water supply.
The ACT is suffering the effects of one of the worst droughts recorded in the history of Canberra and stage 3 water restrictions were introduced mid December 2006.
Water testing of plumbing installations has been identified as a waste of water. The national plumbing and drainage standard (Australian and New Zealand Standard 3500 2003) describes an air test for sewer systems as an alternative to water testing. Amendment number 2 (August 2006) to Part 2 of the Standard states:
13.2.1 "Where the authority having jurisdiction has a water management strategy or had instituted temporary water restriction in response to an existing water shortage, the authority may request that an air test be applied to the completed work, either in its entirety or in sections as determined."
13.2.2 "Where hydrostatic testing is used as a means of testing sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage installations, non-drinking water may be used, where provided by the network utility operator."
Inquiries about this notice may be made by contacting us.
