Replies

1. 
   popawheelie | Mar 27, 2008 03:59pm | #1

   this has come up before and I'm pretty sure it depended on the local building codes. There was alot of different requirements. Check with your building dept.

2. 
   BryanSayer | Mar 27, 2008 04:01pm | #2

   The last time I had it done (1989) it was much higher than 15 psi, and the time period was overnight. That is, the plumber pumped it up one day and scheduled the inspection for the next. I don't recall the psi though.

   I agree with the other responder, check with your local building dept. Some gas companies use a higher pressure system than others.

3. 
   roger g | Mar 27, 2008 05:00pm | #3

   Depends, but in most houses it's 15pounds for 15 minutes but that's for Canada. Some inspectors like to play with those numbers but 15-15 is code.

   roger

4. 
   DaveRicheson | Mar 28, 2008 06:26pm | #4

   Call your gas supplier. They know your local requirements, as will any local plumber that does gas service.

   Depending on which gas line you are testing, before or after the meter/regulator, the pressure and time it must hold may be different.

1. 
   peteduffy | Mar 29, 2008 12:12am | #5

   Thanks everyone.Pete Duffy, Handyman

2. 
   roger g | Mar 29, 2008 03:28am | #6

   Just curious. When would you ever be on the "other side" of the meter?roger

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Mar 29, 2008 03:45am | #7

   Around here the line from the street valve (stop box) to the house is the responsibility of the HO. If it has to be replaced it has to hold a higher test pressure  than the line in the house.

   I can ask what all of those pressures are when I go back to work next week, as well as the test pressure and hold times we require, if you like. The utility i work for supplies both gas and electric in our service area.

1. 
   roger g | Mar 29, 2008 04:19am | #9

   Interesting. Never heard of that.roger

5. 
   rlrefalo | Mar 29, 2008 04:13am | #8

   Around here (NJ), inspector wants a 30 # gauge, set at 15 #.

6. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Mar 29, 2008 06:07am | #10

   be sure to use a 30lb gauge. 15lbs here,however long it takes the inspector to look at everything else is how long it has to hold.larry

   if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?

7. 
   802Mike | Mar 29, 2008 11:11pm | #11

   Depends on the code in your area.  Here, for Natural Gas, it's 3# for 10 minutes. I've seen the gas company just do a dial test though.

   NFG Code says: "The test pressure to be used shall be no less than 1-1/2 times the proposed maximum working pressure, but not less than 3 psig, irrespective of design pressure. Where the test pressure exceeds 125 psig, the test pressure shall not exceed a value that produces a hoop stress in the piping greater than 50 percent of the specified minimum yield strength of the pipe."

1. 
   roger g | Mar 30, 2008 03:12am | #12

   After doing a pressure test without appliances or shut off valves we had to do a dial test once the meter was hooked up and the appliances connected. Without the dial test there isn't a good way of testing all the stuff that was attached after the pressure test.roger

8. 
   JDLee | Mar 30, 2008 03:29am | #13

   I tested mine with 15 lbs. for 24 hours.  I capped off every line, first (I think you have to do that).  The pressure varied with the temperature (which goes down considerably overnight here in San Diego).  But eveyone else is right in that it varies widely according to where you are.  I was removing an unpermitted line and union installed improperly by the previous owner of my home, so I did not have an inspection.  I just wanted the 24 hrs. for peace of mind.