Kennards Hire Test & Measure offers a new vacuum test kit designed
to leak-test sewer pipes efficiently, accurately and cost-effectively.
What was once a problematic process can now be achieved effortlessly
with Kennards Hire’s new vacuum test kit, helping users to test the integrity
of new, existing and rehabilitated manholes and sewers as well as their resistance
to water infiltration or exfiltration.
Previously, sewer pipes were tested using water through infiltration or
exfiltration. Groundwater entering the pipe was monitored through the use of a
weir, while the exfiltration test was carried out by introducing water into the
pipeline and monitoring the level over a specified period, usually 24 hours.
However, the infiltration method of testing can be problematic. For
instance, a faulty section of pipe could pass the test due to no groundwater
being present while measuring water flow using metering equipment can be
difficult. Similarly, problems can occur in exfiltration tests if ground water
is present and water does not escape from the pipe, leading to inaccurate
results.
Additionally, these methods of testing for leak detection are expensive
and time consuming; even if a leak is identified, there’s no way to determine
its exact location.
Leo De Sousa, Product Specialist at Kennards Hire Test & Measure East
Brisbane explains that the vacuum test kit is used to create a vacuum in the
manhole with an operator monitoring a gauge for vacuum loss to identify
problems within minutes. The head assemblies are made of lightweight aluminium
for easy handling during the testing process.
According to Leo, the vacuum test kit from Kennards Hire Test &
Measure enables manholes to be tested and leaks identified immediately before
or after ring installation and backfilling, eliminating the need for water
tests. The vacuum pump draws 254mm hg in approximately two minutes for a 4.5m
deep manhole at a rate of 425 lpm. An oil-free graphite vane pump eliminates
the need for a cumbersome lubrication system and has aluminium rather than
glass filter jars.
The vacuum test kit from Kennards Hire Test & Measure is ideal for construction,
civil engineering, remedial works, plumbing contractors, councils, utilities
and waste management companies.
