Overview
ISO 13846:2000 - Plastics piping systems - Test method for long-term leaktightness under internal water pressure - specifies a laboratory method to verify the long-term leaktightness of mechanically jointed assemblies and joints in thermoplastics pressure piping. The test simulates joint expansion from creep (related to service life up to about 50 years) and subjects pipe/fitting/valve assemblies to a sustained internal hydrostatic water pressure for a prolonged period (minimum 1000 hours). The method covers both end-load-bearing and non-end-load-bearing joints and applies to assemblies using elastomeric sealing rings or adhesives.
Key topics and requirements
- Test objective: Demonstrate long-term leaktightness of joints and assemblies under sustained internal water pressure.
- Scope of assemblies: Fittings, ancillaries, valves, integral pipe joints and pipe-to-pipe joints made from thermoplastics.
- Test duration: Minimum 1000 hours (longer if specified by the referring system standard).
- Temperature control: Tests at ambient or at the maximum allowed working temperature for the piping system; conditioning and temperature must be maintained (conditioning times and maintenance within ±2 °C for ambient-range tests are specified).
- Pressure application: Internal hydrostatic pressure is applied after evacuating air; test pressure must be applied within 30 s to 1 min and held for the test period (pressure control to a specified tolerance).
- Test assembly preparation: Use components of matching PN or series S; measure and record key dimensions (mean outside/inside diameter, out-of-roundness); free pipe length L must meet the referring standard (if unspecified, L ≥ nominal outside diameter, minimum 150 mm).
- Examination and failure criteria: Inspect for leakage at mid-point and end of the test; if rupture occurs outside the tested joint, the test may be disregarded and repeated as required.
- Test report: Must reference ISO 13846 and the referring standard and include component IDs, PN/S series, test pressure and temperature, time under pressure, measured dimensions, leakage details, incidents, date, laboratory and responsible person.
Applications and users
- Manufacturers of thermoplastic pipes, fittings and valves validating joint designs.
- Independent testing laboratories performing long-duration hydrostatic leak tests.
- Certification bodies and regulators assessing compliance with system standards.
- Design and specification engineers selecting joints and sealing systems for water and pressure applications.
- Quality assurance teams using the method to support product declarations and lifetime performance claims.
Related standards
- EN 715 - end-load-bearing joints (hydrostatic leaktightness including end thrust)
- EN 714 - non-end-load-bearing elastomeric sealing ring joints (hydrostatic leaktightness without end thrust)
Keywords: ISO 13846:2000, plastics piping systems, long-term leaktightness, thermoplastics pressure piping, hydrostatic test method, elastomeric sealing rings, end-load-bearing, non-end-load-bearing.