Re: Hyrdo test

Hydro:

Never use air for a full pressure test.
1. Very dangerous from stored energy.
2. Does not work to cap water with air. Put a gauge at the bottom and try it(I will be elsewere). Surface area vs. pressure.

I would never ask anyone to test(hydro) at 1 1/2 for used equipment unless it was after an alteration. MAWP is best, If you have threaded staybolts it is possiable to start cracking at the root of the thread. You may also loosen your caulked joints when this boiler flexes under a full hydro. Why damage something to see if it is OK?

Water at 60-120 F to avoid thermal shock and sweating. Not over 120 to avoid burns.

[smad-ext.grc.nasa.gov]

See Chapt 7, esp for pneumatic testing.

Dean D Cockroft