How long should the drainage system hold the pressure during a low pressure air test?

The standard requirement for a low-pressure air test on a drainage system is that it should hold pressure for a duration of 15 minutes. This time frame is significant because it allows for an adequate assessment of the integrity of the drainage system. During this test, the system is subjected to low-pressure air, and maintaining this pressure for the specified duration helps ensure that there are no leaks or weaknesses in the joints, fittings, or materials.

Holding the pressure for 15 minutes provides a balance between allowing enough time to detect small leaks while also being efficient in terms of test duration. If the system can maintain the required pressure for the entire 15 minutes without any significant drop, it indicates that the installation is sound and meets the necessary code requirements for construction and safety standards.

In practical applications, shorter durations may not adequately reveal potential issues, while longer durations could unnecessarily extend the testing process without additional benefit. Thus, 15 minutes is established as the standard duration for this type of test in various plumbing codes and guidelines.