Testing of Drainage and Venting Systems

There are four standard tests required by Part 7

  • Water Tests
  • Air Tests
  • Ball Tests
  • Final Tests

7.3.6.1. Tests and Inspection of Drainage or Venting Systems

  1. Except in case of an external leader, after a section of drainage system or a venting system has been roughed in, and before any fixture is installed or piping is covered, a water or an air test shall be conducted.
  2. Where a chief building official requires a final test, it shall be carried out after every fixture is installed and before any part of the drainage system or venting system is placed in operation.
  3. Where a prefabricated system is installed as a part

of drainage system is assembled off the building site in such a manner that it cannot be inspected and tested on site, off-site inspections and tests shall be conducted.

  1. Where a prefabricated system is installed as a part of a drainage system and venting system, all other plumbing work shall be tested and inspected and a final test shall be carried out on the complete system.
  2. A ball test shall be carried out on a sanitary building drain, sanitary building sewer, storm building drain and a storm building sewer buried underground.


7.3.6.2. Test of Pipes in Drainage Systems

  1. Every pipe in drainage system, except an external leader or fixture outlet pipe, shall be capable of withstanding without leakage a water test, air test and final test.


7.3.6.3. Tests of Venting Systems

  1. Every venting system shall be capable of withstanding without leakage a water test, air test and final test.




7.3.6.4. Water Tests

  1. Where a water test is made it shall be applied to
  1. the system as a whole, or
  2. sections of the system, each of which is at least 3 m high and includes at least 1 500 mm of the section below.
  1. In making a water test
  1. every opening except the highest shall be tightly closed with a testing plug or a test cap, and
  2. the system or the section shall be kept filled with water for 15 min.



7.3.6.5. Air Tests

  1. Where an air test is made
  1. every opening in the system shall be closed,
  2. air shall be forced into the system until a pressure of 35 kPa (5.1 psi) is created, and
  3. this pressure shall be maintained for 15 min without the addition of more air.




7.3.6.6. Final Tests

  1. Where a final test is made
  1. every trap shall be filled with water,
  2. the bottom of the system being tested shall terminate at the building trap, test plug or cap,
  3. except as provided in Sentence (2), smoke from smoke-generating machine shall be forced into the system,
  4. when the smoke appears from all roof terminals they should be closed,
  5. a pressure equivalent to a 25 mm water column shall be maintained for 15 min without the addition of more smoke
  1. The smoke referred to in Clauses 7.3.6.6.(1)(c) and (d) may be omitted provided the roof terminals are closed and the system is subjected to an air pressure equivalent to a 25 mm water column maintained for 15 min without the addition of more air.



7.3.6.7. Ball Tests

  1. Where a ball test is made, a hard ball dense enough not to float shall be rolled through the pipe.
  2. The diameter of the ball shall be not less than 50 mm where the size of the pipe is 4" or more.


Testing of Potable Water System


7.3.7.1. Application of Tests

  1. After a section of a potable water system has been completed, and before it is placed in operation, a water test or an air test shall be conducted.
  2. A test may be applied to each section of the system or to the system as a whole.
  3. Where a prefabricated is assembled off the building site in such a manner that it cannot be inspected and tested on-site, off-site inspections and test shall be conducted.
  4. Where a prefabricated system is installed as part of a water system, all other plumbing work shall be tested and inspected, and the complete system shall be pressure tested.


7.3.7.2. Test of Potable Water Systems

  1. Every potable water system shall be capable of
  1. withstanding without leakage a water pressure that is at least 1000 kPa (145 psi) for at least 1 h, or
  2. withstanding for at least 2 h without a drop in pressure an air pressure that is at least 700 kPa (102 psi).


7.3.7.3. Water Tests

  1. Where a water test is made all air shall be expelled from the system before fixture control valves or faucets are closed.
  2. Potable water shall be used to test a potable water system.