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W A S T E W A T E R - W A S T E
ADVISORY LEAFLET
ATV-M 143E
June 1998
ISBN 3-934984-43-6
Marketing:
Gesellschaft zur Förderung der
Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA)
Theodor-Heuß-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef
Postfach 11 65, 53758 Hennef
ATV-M 143E, Part 6
The ATV Working Group 1.5.4 "Rehabilitation and Renewal of Drains and Sewers",
which has prepared this Advisory Leaflet, has the following members:
Collaborated as guests:
Dr.-Ing. O. Kaufmann, Bochum
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) H. Loy, München
All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Advisory
Leaflet may be reproduced in any form by photocopy, microfilm or any other process or transferred or
translated into a language usable in machines, in particular data processing machines, without the written
approval of the publisher.
Contents
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
Notes for users 4
1. Preamble 4
2. Area of application 4
3. Preparatory measures 5
3.1 Planning documents 5
3.2 Accessibility 5
3.3 Cleaning 5
3.4 Verification of the tightness of the test facility 5
3.5 Safety of the receiving water 5
3.6 Protective measures 5
3.7 Traffic regulation 5
3.8 TV surveillance 5
4. Requirements on the equipment to be employed 6
4.1 Equipment 6
4.2 Air overpressure and vacuum testing 6
4.2.1 Shut-off elements 6
4.2.2 Compressor or vacuum pump 7
4.2.3 Charging device 7
4.2.4 Pressure measurement device 7
4.3 Water pressure test 7
4.3.1 Shut-off elements 7
4.3.2 Gravity tank 7
5. Execution of leak testing 7
5.1 Installation of shut-off elements 8
5.2 Leak testing using air 8
5.2.1 Testing using overpressure 8
5.2.2 Testing using vacuum 9
5.3 Leak testing using water 9
5.4 Removal of the shut-off elements 9
6. Requirements on the personnel employed 9
7. Documentation 9
7.1 General 9
7.2 Test record 10
8. Tightness criteria 10
8.1 Tightness criteria for the leak test by reach or section 10
8.1.1 Water pressure testing 10
8.1.2 Air overpressure testing 11
8.1.3 Vacuum pressure testing 11
8.1.4 Requisite test times for air overpressure and vacuum testing 11
8.2 Tightness criteria with the testing of pipe connections
(sleeve testing) using air overpressure 11
8.3 Shaft/chamber testing 12
Appendix 1: Model record of leak testing by reach 13
Appendix 2: Sample record of sleeve testing 14
Appendix 3: Illustrative determination of the requisite test times
with sleeve testing 15
Literature 16
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
1. Preamble
The assessment of the condition of drains and sewers, and of possible hazard potential
due to damage, also demands the verification of tightness. Optical inspection (for this
see ATV Advisory Leaflet M-143, Part 2 [1] can provide such information to a limited
degree only. Thus visible damage does not always imply unsatisfactory tightness. On the
other hand, leakage points, in particular in the area of pipe connections, are barely
identifiable visibly.
For the leak testing of newly produced or rehabilitated drains and sewers there are
standardised regulations available (e.g. DIN 1986, Part 1 (06/88) [2], DIN EN 752, Part 5
[3] or DIN EN 1610 [4]).
Nevertheless, leak tests on existing drains and sewers, beyond optical inspection, are
required both in water laws and wastewater self monitoring regulations of individual
German Federal States as well as in the ATV Standard A-142 [5].
This Advisory Leaflet lays down requirements for leak tests as repeat testing on existing
earth covered drains and sewers and shafts using water and air as test medium.
2. Area of Application
This Advisory Leaflet, together with the Advisory Leaflets ATV M-143, Part 1 [6] and Part
2 [1], applies for the leak testing of existing drains and sewers, including shafts, operated
as gravity pipelines.
Leak tests must be carried out on drains and sewers in water catchment areas and on
such on which appropriate requirements in laws or surveillance regulations of the
German Federal Republic, German Federal States and communities are placed.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
3. Preparatory Measures
3.1 Planning Documents
Sufficient planning documents are to be made available for the execution of leak testing.
From these the following must be particularly visible:
• site of application,
• position, type, scope and regulatory characteristics (e.g. reach and/or shaft numbers)
of the object to be tested,
• possibilities for entry and escape.
Attention is to be drawn to particular hazards, e.g. danger of collapse, sewer
atmosphere, wastewater composition, pump surges.
3.2 Accessibility
The accessibility of the entrances is to be checked and secured for the duration of the
testing.
3.3 Cleaning
The test object must be cleaned in order to facilitate the secure positioning of the shut-off
elements and the problem-free execution of the leak testing. With this the cleaning of the
contact surfaces between the shut-off element and the sewer wall is particularly
significant.
3.8 TV Surveillance
With sleeve testing and leak tests by section (e.g. between two connections) in non-man-
accessible drains and sewers the exact positioning of the shut-off elements must take
place under TV surveillance.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
The following equipment is required for the execution of leak tests using air overpressure
or vacuum:
• shut-off elements,
• compressor, condenser or vacuum pump,
• charging device incl. pressure reduction valve and/or electronic pressure cut-off,
• pressure measurement device,
• facility for recording and archiving measurement data.
To carry out water pressure testing a
• gravity tank
is necessary.
All items of equipment must conform with regulations in accordance with VDE and DIN
as well as with the (German) Accident Prevention Regulations (UVV).
The sealing function in the contact area between the pipe walls and the shut-off elements
must remain safely maintained for every test pressure and with every test medium used
(water, air overpressure or vacuum).
Special sleeve testing equipment is to be used for sleeve tests. With the employment of
combined test and injection packers, which, for example, are applied to correct locally
limited leakages, the requirements of sleeve test equipment must suffice for the leak
testing. The suitability of the combined test and injection packer as well as the tightness
criteria (see Sect. 8.2) are to be verified.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
4.2.2 Compressor or Vacuum pump
The necessary test pressure can be produced by a commercial, sufficiently dimensioned
compressor or an appropriate vacuum pump.
With regard to the shut-off elements the details of Sect. 4.2.1. apply analogously.
With the water pressure test the test object is to be filled from the lowest point of the
pipeline. A ventilation opening, which has at least the same cross-section as the charging
pipeline, is to be located on the shut-off element at the high point of the pipeline.
He leak test can be carried alternatively using water or air. As the test using air is
significantly quicker to carry out, this is preferably to be used. If doubt exists about the
result of the air test then a water pressure test is to be carried out whose result is then
relevant.
With regard to the security measures which are fundamentally to be carried out, attention
is drawn to the relevant security directives of the Trade Association and of the Federation
of German Communal Accident Insurers (BAGUV), inter alia to:
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
• German Accident Prevention Regulations (UVV) "General Regulations" (VBG 1) [7]
• German Accident Prevention Regulations (UVV) "Construction Work" (VBG 37 [8]
• German Accident Prevention Regulations (UVV) "Technical Wastewater Systems"
(GUV 7.4) [9]
• German Safety Regulations for Pipe Construction (ZH 1/559) [10]
• German Safety Regulations for Work in Enclosed Spaces of Technical Wastewater
Systems (ZH 1/177) [11]
Special instructions for the execution of leak testing using air as the test medium are in
preparation. Once in force these also are to be observed.
The insertion of the shut-off elements into the pipe may, in the first place, take place only
in so far as they fit securely fullface. The firm seating is prerequisite for the subsequent
positive security against accidental change of position within the pipeline to be tested.
After ensuring security the site of the installation is to be evacuated and the charging of
the shut-off elements with the predetermined filling pressure from outside the shaft or
pipeline is to be carried out. Charging may be with compressed air only.
• the leak testing may not be carried out by only one person
• suitable persons are to be tasked who are familiar with the hazards associated with
the test and
• a supervisor is to be appointed.
From the start of the pressurisation in the test space with leak testing by reach or
section, work is not permitted in the pipeline or shaft for the duration of the test. During
this time no one may remain in front of the shut-off elements and their hazardous zone.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
5.2.2 Test Using Vacuum
The determinations from Sect 5.2.1 apply analogously to the same extent with testing
using vacuum.
Both the pressure balancing in the test space or the draining off of the test water and the
release of pressure from the shut-off elements are to take place from a secure location
outside the shaft or reach.
7 Documentation
7.1 General
The result of the leak test is to be documented on site, precisely and comprehensively in
a test record. Documentation includes:
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
7.2 Test Record
The test record is to be produced separately for each test. In detail it must contain:
• customer, contractor, if required project leader, equipment operator, test location, date
and time, road name, reach number and/or the designations of the shafts delimiting
the reach;
• status data on the object to be tested, such as, for example, the type of object (leak
testing by reach or section, or sleeve test). Nominal width, cross-sectional dimensions,
test length, material, type of sewer, year of construction, zero point of longitudinal
measurement, groundwater level;
• details on test specifications, test pressure, test time, settling time, permitted pressure
difference or permitted water charging;
• test note on the result of the leak test with the signature of the parties involved.
The test records are to be given a serial number and are to be archived systematically.
Examples of the layout of the test record are contained in Appendices 1 and 2.
8 Tightness Criteria
With groundwater present the test pressure per meter groundwater above the pipe sole
is to be increased by 100 mbar to a maximum of 200 mbar. If, during the test, the
groundwater level lies above the pipe crown an infiltration test which, however, is not part
of this Advisory Leaflet, can be carried out.
With regular operational water levels of more than 50 cm above the pipe crown the water
level is relevant. The maximum permitted test pressure at the lowest point of the object
to be tested is 0.5 bar.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
8.1.2 Air Overpressure Test
8.1.4 Required Test Times for Air overpressure and Vacuum Testing
The necessary test times of the air overpressure (see Sect. 8.1.2) and the vacuum tests
for nominal widths ≤ DN 1200, presented in Table 1, result from the following
relationship:
Intermediate values can be interpolated. The necessary test times [min] for larger
nominal widths (> DN 1200) or other cross-sectional shapes, which are not presented in
Table 1, can be calculated according to Equation 1:
whereby the diameter di in [m] is to be applied. For special profiles, e.g. oval sections, an
alternative diameter dE according to Equation 2 can be calculated:
Table 1: Necessary test times (min) with the tightness testing by sewer section and/or
sections of sewer using air overpressure or vacuum.
Nominal width 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
DN
8.2 Tightness Criteria with the Testing of Pipe Connections (Sleeve Test)
Using Air Overpressure
Sleeve tests in non-man-accessible drains and sewers must be carried out under camera
observation.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
As almost all sleeve testing equipments have different test volumes, which are limited by
the pipe walls, and possibly by the core piece and the shut-off elements of the sleeve
test equipment, it is not possible to define generally valid tightness criteria for the testing
of individual pipe connections.
To determine the necessary test times, the test volume of the sleeve test equipment
used, including the feed hoses, in the case that these have a connection with the test
space during the test, as well as the volume of the pipe connection1) must be determined.
Furthermore, the area of the pipe wall between the shut-off elements must be known.
Sleeve test equipments whose air feed hoses have no connection with the test space
during the teats are to be preferred.
VTest volume
t = 1800 ⋅ di + 0.5 ⋅ [ s] (3)
APipe wall
_________________
1)
In general, with non-man-accessible drains and sewers, the determination of the volume of the pipe connection can be dispensed
with.
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
Test note:______________________________
Equipment operator: Project management: Customer:
________________________ ________________________ ________________________
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
Test note:______________________________
Equipment operator: Project management: Customer:
________________________ ________________________ ________________________
The test volumes and test times calculated as an example, which are presented in Table
2, result under the following assumptions:
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
• A special packer is used for each nominal width.
• The diameter of the core of the packer is always 10 cm smaller than the nominal width
of the tested sewer (DN/1000-0.1 [m]).
• The test length, i.e. the separation between the shut-off elements , is 20 cm.
• The length of the hose carrying the air, with a diameter of 1 cm, is 150 m.
• The volume of the pipe connections and the volume of the shut-off elements are
ignored in this example.
VTest volume
t = 1800 ⋅ d + 0.5 ⋅ [s].
APipe wall
Table 2: Tests volumes [m3] of sleeve test equipments and the therefrom resultant
test times calculated as an example
Nominal width DN 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Volume, test space [m3] 0.005 0.008 0.011 0.014 0.017 0.020 0.024
Volume, hose [m3] 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012
Test volume [m3] 0.017 0.020 0.023 0.026 0.029 0.032 0.036
Pipe wall area [m2] 0.126 0.188 0.251 0.314 0.377 0.440 0.503
Test time [s] 203 171 156 149 145 143 147
Literature
[1] ATV-M 143E: Inspection, Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Replacement of
Drains and Sewers; Part 2: Optical Inspection (06.91)
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ATV-M 143E, Part 6
[2] DIN 1986: Entwässerungsanlagen für Gebäude und Grundstücke; Teil 30:
Instandhaltung [Drainage Systems for Buildings and Property,
Part 30: Repair] (01.95)
[4] DIN EN 1610: Verlegung und Prüfung von Abwasserleitungen und -kanälen
[Laying and Testing of Drains and Sewers] (10.97)
[5] ATV-A 142E: Sewers and Drains in Water Catchment Areas (10.92)
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