Strength Testing & Purging

Strength Testing & Purging.

Tightness testing is a safety-critical process carried out on existing pipework to ensure your gas pipework and installations are in a sound condition and safe to use. The test is carried out at a set pressure as per GSIUR 1998 using calibrated equipment to monitor any loss in pressure no matter how small and rectify as necessary.

We would advise as best practice that all gas pipework is inspected and tested annually during your regular gas appliance servicing. Often this is a requirement of your building insurance to validate the policy.

What you can expect from a Tightness Test: 

Survey pipework and calculate pipe volume.

Determine correct testing pressures calibrated gauges.

Calculate test period including barometric correction factors and permissible leakage rate.

Where necessary, isolate valves and bypass regulators.

Isolate gas appliances.

Carry out tightness test using gas, air or inert gas.

Analyse results to determine tightness and safety of pipework.

Re-commission any isolated appliances.

Complete all relevant documentation.

Strength Testing (STP)

New commercial & industrial pipework should undertake a Strength Test (STP) which is carried out above the normal operating pressure to identify any construction faults with the new pipework installation.

What you can expect from a Strength Test:

Survey of installation – inspection & removal of any component that may be damaged by the test pressure & test separately.

Calculation of the volume of the installation.

Determine test pressure & time period.

Preparation for the test including full health & safety briefing/assessment.

Pressurise system and complete strength test.

Analyse test readings to determine whether the installation is gas-tight & safe.

Checking of any joints in hazardous or unoccupied spaces.

Completion of documentation.

Purging.

(Decommissioning)

The purging of commercial & industrial gas pipework from gas to air is carried out to displace the combustible gasses with an inert mixture via a series of calculations, purge stack & safe working systems. This procedure would then ensure that any decommissioned pipework is safe to be dismantled or left open to the atmosphere without constituting a danger.

(Commissioning)

The purging of commercial & industrial gas pipework from air to gas is to ensure the perfect air/gas mixture is passed through the pipework without causing any hazards such as stratification or enveloping within the gas lines. The incorrect mixture at the incorrect rate will lead to appliance failure, explosive ignition, etc!

What you can expect from Purging:

Carry out a thorough risk assessment.

Set up safe systems of work including barriers & signage.

Set up purge stack & monitoring equipment.

Calculate purge volumes & purge medium (air/gas/nitrogen).

Ventilate purge area & extinguish any naked flames or sources of sparks.

Isolate appliances if applicable.

Carry out purge as per appropriate IGEM/UP standards.

On completion of purge, remove testing equipment from the system and reconnect or plug pipework connection points.

Complete all appropriate paperwork & certify purge.

Our Compliance Promise.

All our purging procedures are carried out with the latest equipment and industry-leading standards. Our commercial gas engineers’ work to the highest standards and maximum level of planning and supervision.

We follow strict risk assessments & method statements which ensures all site precautions are adhered to, thus, ensuring a safe working environment for all parties involved.

Working to industry standards – IGE/UP/1A – Industrial and commercial gas pipework with a volume less than 1m3, also industry standards – IGE/UP/1 – Industrial and commercial gas pipework with a volume of 1m3 and above.

At Bleeco we can offer our services throughout Horsham, Southwater, Broadbridge Heath and Billingshurst.