What is the minimum required water pressure for testing completed sections of a water supply system?

The minimum required water pressure for testing completed sections of a water supply system is the working pressure. This is because the working pressure is defined as the pressure at which the system is designed to operate efficiently during normal circumstances. Testing at the working pressure ensures that the components of the water supply system can withstand the typical pressures they will encounter during use without failing or leaking.

Using the working pressure for testing aims to validate the integrity of joints, fixtures, and pipes under realistic operating conditions. This helps ensure safety and reliability when the system is placed into service. When testing is done at this level, it also identifies any potential weaknesses or failures that could lead to issues once the system is operational.

Other terms like static pressure, initial pressure, and standard pressure may not accurately reflect the conditions under which the system will actually operate, making them less appropriate for determining testing requirements. Static pressure often refers to pressure in a stationary fluid, while initial and standard pressures can vary in definition and application context. These do not provide the same guarantees about the system’s performance under normal working conditions as using the working pressure does.