prEN 13638:2007 (E)
Annex G(informative) Safety precautions for hydrostatic and pneumatic testing
G.1 Safety precautions G.1.1 The safety of all persons, whether or not involved in the testing, is of paramount importance. Do not carry out any procedure which would violate this concept. All personnel engaged in testing will need to be instructed fully regarding the possible hazards involved in the testing, particular attention being paid to securing pipes to prevent whip following any failure.
G.1.2 Consult at the pipework design stage with the designer on the adequacy of the safety precautions proposed by the contractor. The safety precautions will need to ensure that, as far as possible, no person is exposed to injury should any part of the pipework system fail during the test operation. The safety precautions will need to be subject to the written approval of the engineer before the test, with particular reference to the following:
adequacy of protection of adjacent pipework and equipment;
adequacy of the pressure gauges installed in the station;
extent of the area cleared for test safety purposes;
adequacy of any applicable non-destructive testing carried out before the test including testing carried out previously by others;
resistance of the materials to fast fracture;
procedure to prevent local chilling during filling and emptying;
external of remote monitoring provided during test.
G.1.3 Take precautions to protect any adjacent pipework or equipment from the effects of failure of the pipework.
G.1.4 For hydrostatic testing, if test water becomes contaminated by the test, disposal arrangements shall be made.
G.1.5 Define a test area and agree it with the engineer. This test area will include all enclosed areas through which the pipework runs and local access ways. The boundaries of the test area shall be defined by marker tapes. Display proper warning notices reading "WARNING - STATION UNDER TEST" at all points where access may be gained to the test area.
G.1.6 Attention is drawn to the fact that if a test medium, such as compressed nitrogen, is reduced to the test pressure from high pressure storage, its temperature will fall. The test arrangements will need to be such that the
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