Can galvanized gas line be tested with air pressure, and how?

Hi Barnesjr

The answer depends on what state you live in...

Check to be sure galvanized gas pipe is approved for gas piping in your state. Next, would be to disconnect the appliance the gas pipe connects to at the union fitting and cap the line. Then, you would disconnect all other appliances on the gas main at the union fittings of each appliance and you would cap those gas lines. Next, disconnect the gas meter from the test and connect a shutoff, a test gauge and a shrader valve onto the gas pipe going into the home (meter disconnected).

Then, you need find out what test gauge is needed in your state, what pressure the test should be held at and for how long the test is required to hold. In my state we are required to use a 1/10th LB incremental gas gauge and we pump the system to 3 PSI and hold for that test for10 minutes. In other states, you might pump to 25 PSI and hold for 30 minutes, so you need to find this information from a local plumbing/gas inspector or a local plumbing/gas code book.

After testing and inspection you reconnect everything and use a soap solution to test final connections and you should be all set to light the pilots!

Hope that helps!

Mark