The Chicago Plumbing Code

§ 18-29-312

Tests and Inspections.

§ 18-29-312.1 Required tests.

Permit holders shall make applicable tests prescribed in Sections § 18-29-312.2 through § 18-29-312.9 to determine compliance with provisions of this chapter. A permit holder shall give reasonable advance notice to the building commissioner and the commissioner of water management when plumbing work is ready for tests. The equipment, material, power and labor necessary for the inspection and test shall be furnished by the permit holder and the permit holder shall be responsible for determining that the work will withstand the test pressure prescribed in the following tests. All plumbing system piping shall be tested with either water, smoke or air.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990,-- 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, -- 1)

§ 18-29-312.2 Drainage and vent water test.

The water pressure test for plumbing shall be applied by closing the lower end of the vertical pipes and filling the pipes to the highest opening above the roof with water. The air pressure test for plumbing shall be applied with a force pump and mercury column equal to 10 inches (250 mm) of mercury. The use of spring gauges is prohibited. Special provision shall be made to include all joints and connections to the finished line or face of floors or side walls, so that all vents or revents, including lead work, may be tested with the main stacks. All pipes shall remain uncovered in every part until they have successfully passed the test.

§ 18-29-312.3 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-312.4 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-312.5 Water supply system test.

Upon completion of a section of or the entire water supply system, the system, or portion completed, shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure not less than the working pressure of the system; or by an air test of not less than 50 psi (344 kpa). The water utilized for tests shall be obtained from a potable source of supply. The required tests shall be performed in accordance with this section and Section § 18-29-606.6.

§ 18-29-312.6 Gravity sewer test.

Gravity sewer tests shall consist of plugging the end of the building sewer at the last downstream structure before the public main, filling the building sewer with water, testing with not less than a 10 ft (3.05 m) head of water, and maintaining such pressure or level for 15 minutes.

§ 18-29-312.7 Forced sewer test.

Forced sewer tests shall consist of plugging the end of the building sewer at the last downstream structure before the public main and applying a pressure of 5 psi (34.5 kPa) greater than the pump rating, and maintaining such pressure for 15 minutes.

§ 18-29-312.8 Storm drainage system test.

Storm drain systems within a building shall be tested by water or air in accordance with Section § 18-29-312.2.

§ 18-29-312.9 Cross connection control device inspections.

The department of water shall inspect backflow prevention assemblies to determine proper installation including testing by a licensed Cross Connection Control Device Inspector. Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assemblies, double check-valve assemblies, double-detector check-valve assemblies and pressure vacuum breaker assemblies shall be tested at minimum, annually, the results of annual tests shall be reported within 30 days of tests to the department of water. In the event of test failure, immediate notification must be made to the department of water and remedial action taken to prevent the contamination of the potable water supply. The testing procedure shall be performed in accordance with one of the following standards:

ASSE 5010-1013-1, Sections 1 and 2

ASSE 5010-1015-1, Sections 1 and 2

ASSE 5010-1015-2

ASSE 5010-1015-3, Sections 1 and 2

ASSE 5010-1015-4, Sections 1 and 2

ASSE 5010-1020-1, Sections 1 and 2

ASSE 5010-1047-1, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4

ASSE 5010-1048-1, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4

ASSE 5010-1048-2

ASSE 5010-1048-3, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4

ASSE 5010-1048-4, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4

CSA B64.1.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-27-02, p. 82090, 3)