When you use an expansion joint, you want to feel confident that its bellows will work properly in your piping system. One way to ensure that is through pressure testing. Read below to learn the dos and don’ts of pressure testing expansion joints to better guarantee that the joints will perform as needed.
What Is Pressure Testing?
One question you may ask is, “What is pressure testing?” This procedure helps guarantee the safety and reliability of your expansion joints and ensure they follow your leak tightness requirements. Usually, manufacturers perform the test before the joint reaches you, or you can do it as a form of expansion joint maintenance.
What Are the Different Types of Pressure Testing?
When it comes to testing your expansion joints, you have two different types that you can perform: pneumatic and hydrostatic. The pneumatic test detects halogen gases and utilizes low pressure to determine whether there is a leak. However, it cannot confirm if your bellows are maintaining their structural integrity.
But the hydrostatic pressure test can. During the process, you will fill the expansion joint with water to the point where you have exceeded the recommended working pressure. If the bellows do not experience any damage and remain in their original condition, they have passed the test.
What Should I Do and Not Do During a Pressure Test?
It is important to learn the dos and don’ts of pressure testing expansion joints so you can conduct the test correctly. Before you start the test, remember to check that you have installed the joint in the proper location, with the correct flow direction and positioning.
You should also ensure that the anchors and guides are in their right places. In addition, ensure that you have removed the shipping devices and that the bellows do not have any foreign material on them.
During the test, make sure you stay within one-and-a-half times the designed pressure of your joint. You should also not use your shipping bars to restrain thrust as you test the piping system. Finally, if you perform a hydro test on oil and gas pipelines, clean and dry them afterward since it will help reduce the risk of corrosion.
Triad Bellows is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of expansion joints. We can help you find products that have passed pressure tests and are completely reliable. Visit our webpage to learn more!
