A hydrostatic test is most commonly used to assess the strength of pressure vessels such as gas cylinders, boilers, fuel tanks and pipelines. This type of testing not only identifies leaks and manufacturing flaws, but is used to validate proof of operational capability at pressure as well as validating factors of safety required by design standards to mitigate failure in service.

Hydrostatic testing up to 50,000 psi/ 3,450 Bar, is completed at our site in accordance with international standards such as defence standard 02-517, BSEN 13480, ASME B31.3, API 6D, API 17D, API 6D, API 6DSS and ANSI Class.

Hydrostatic testing is essential to ensure the safety of a component and verify its strength and stability when operating under pressure. The vessel or pipe system is filled with liquid, usually water because of its incompressibility, and pressurised to a specific test pressure for a predetermined period of time.

A components pressure integrity is checked by pressurising it to its designated design pressure, isolating the component from the pressure source and measuring pressure loss through calibrated transducers. The component may require a visual inspection whilst at pressure to check for signs of leakage, followed by a post-test inspection to identify any issues or damage. Specific measurements and quality checks may also be carried out at this stage if required.

The pressure applied in hydrostatic testing is governed by the appropriate design standard. A factor of safety is usually added to the design pressure. A typical safety margin of 10% to 50% is added to the design pressure depending on the type of test being undertaken.

Our team of highly skilled test engineers are experienced in completing hydrostatic testing for a range of clients. Clients have the opportunity to select our beginning to end, fully project managed testing service or can independently hire the test bays.