§ 3a.115. Hydrostatic pressure test.
(a) A hydrostatic pressure test must comply with the following requirements:
(1) A hydrostatic pressure test may not exceed the following pressures:
(i) For boilers or unfired pressure vessels in the field, 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(ii) For boilers of locomotives, 1.25 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(iii) For glass-lined unfired pressure vessels, the maximum allowable working pressure.
(iv) For unfired pressure vessels fabricated to ASME section VIII, division 1 after January 1, 2000, 1.3 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
(v) For unfired pressure vessels fabricated to ASME Section VIII, Divisions 2 and 3, the pressure that was preapproved by an inspector.
(2) Pressure must be controlled at all times and may not be more than 106% of the test pressure allowed by the ASME Code at the time of construction.
(3) The temperature of the water used to apply the test must be between 70° and 120°F.
(4) A safety valve must be removed or each valve shall be held to its seat by a testing clamp. Screwing down the compression screw upon the spring is prohibited. A VR stamp holder must reseal the valves.
(5) Pressure must be equal to or below the release pressure of the safety valve having the highest release setting when a test is applied to an existing installation to determine tightness.
(b) An inspector may require a hydrostatic test after the completion of a repair to insure the pressure containing boundaries hold design pressure.
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