This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1003 − 13 (Reapproved 2022)

Standard Practice for

Hydrostatic Leak Testing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1003; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2.2 ASNT Documents:4

1.1 This practice covers the testing of components for leaks SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personal Qualifica-
by pressurizing them inside with a liquid. tion and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
1.2 This practice can be used on piping, valves, and con- Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
tainers with welded or fitted sections which can be sealed at
2.3 AIA Standard:5
their ends and which are designed for internal pressure.
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
1.3 Basic procedures are described based on the type of Test Personnel
inspection used. These procedures should be limited to finding
leakage indications of 4.5 × 10−9 mol/s (1 × 10−4 Std cm3/s)2 or 3. Terminology
larger. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded practice, see Terminology E1316, Section E.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical

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conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
tion only and are not considered standard.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Hydrostatic testing requires that a component be com-

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1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety,
pletely filled with a liquid, such as water. Pressure is slowly
applied to the liquid until the required pressure is reached. This
pressure is held for the required time at which point the
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health, and environmental practices and determine the appli-
cability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
component is inspected visually to locate leaks or the pressure
on the gauge is recorded to determine the components total
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- leakage.
dance with internationally recognized principles ASTM E1003-13(2022)
on standard- 4.2 The two basic procedures are described together with
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
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Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
methods for improving their sensitivity.
4.2.1 Pressure Drop Indication—This procedure is used
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical primarily to measure total system leakage.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.2.2 Visual Inspection for Leakage—This procedure is
intended primarily to locate leaks.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 Ultrasonic pretesting for gross leaks is described.
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
5. Basis of Application
Testing
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations 5.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
ment between the parties using or referencing this practice:
5.2 Personnel Qualification
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- 5.2.1 If specified in the contractual agreement. Personnel
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.08 on Leak
Testing Method. performing examinations to this practice shall be qualified in
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved accordance with a nationally or internationally recognized
in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E1003 – 13(2018). DOI: NDT personnel qualification practice or standard such as
10.1520/E1003-13R22.
2
The gas temperature is referenced to 0 °C. To convert to another gas reference
temperature, Tref, multiply the leak rate by (Tref + 273) ⁄273.
3 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. (AIA), 1000
the ASTM website. Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 E1003 − 13 (2022)
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS-410, or similar docu- 8.2 Pressure Relief Valve.
ment and certified by the employer or certifying agency, as 8.3 Pressure Alarm.
applicable. The practice or standard used and its applicable
revision shall be identified in the contractual agreement. 8.4 Emergency Pressure Shut-Off Valve.
5.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified 8.5 Trapped Air Vent.
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified 8.6 Pressure Pump.
and evaluated as described in Specification E543. The appli-
cable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in the 8.7 Liquid Test Media.
contractual agreement. 8.8 Pressure Hoses and Fittings.
5.4 Re-examination of Repaired/Reworked Items—Re- 8.9 Protection Chamber for High-Pressure Tests.
examination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in this
practice, they shall be specified in the contractual agreement. 9. General Procedures
6. Significance and Use 9.1 Openings:
6.1 This practice is useful for quality control testing and 9.1.1 Seal all openings using plugs or covers that can
field inspection of piping systems, pipelines, valves, and withstand the test pressure and can be completely removed
containers that are expected to retain liquids. It is not sensitive after the test.
enough for leak testing when toxic or explosive gas is expected 9.1.2 The test fluid inlet should be located on the bottom of
to be retained under pressure. the test object with the trapped air vent at the highest point.
9.1.3 Components rated at pressures below the test pressure
7. Interferences must be isolated.
7.1 The interior and exterior welds and joints where leaks 9.2 Gauges—One or more test gauges must be connected to
are often found must be free of oil, grease, flux, slag, or other the system. If more than one gauge is used, one may be a
contaminants that might temporarily block or mask leakage. recording gauge. At least one gauge which is used for accep-

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New systems should be tested prior to painting, where practi- tance of the test shall be calibrated within 30 days prior to use.
cal. One indicating gauge must be easily visible to the operator
controlling the pressure throughout the pressurizing and testing
leak test using air or a tracer(https://standards.iteh.ai)
7.2 Hydrostatic testing should not be performed before a
gas. The liquid test media may cycle.
clog small leaks causing later tests to be inaccurate. 9.3 Pre-Test Inspection:
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7.3 Test liquid must be equal or above atmosphere
ture or droplets will form on the outside. The minimum
tempera- 9.3.1 Before pressurizing is begun, inspect the outside of the
test object to verify that it is dry and all welds and connectors
temperature of the liquid should be 16 °C (61 °F). are exposed if a visual inspection is to be conducted.
ASTM
7.4 If the container to be tested has parts made E1003-13(2022)
of stainless 9.3.2 Securely brace critical areas that may not be able to
withstand the weight.
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steel, nickel, or chromium alloys, the liquid or any additives
used must have a sulfur and halogen content of less than 50 9.4 Pressurizing—Gradually increase the pressure in the
ppm of each. If water is used as a test fluid it should be system to 50 % of test pressure and make an initial check for
deionized. leakage. Thereafter slowly increase the pressure to the final test
7.5 To avoid brittle fracture, the test pressure must not be pressure. The test pressure usually is between 75 % and 150 %
applied until the metal and the test fluid are approximately the of the operating design pressure.
same temperature. The metal should be a minimum of 16 °C 9.5 Leak Test:
(61 °F) prior to the application of pressure. 9.5.1 At the completion of test pressure holding time,
7.6 If a test liquid other than water is used, the liquid’s flash examine the system for leakage. Examination for leakage shall
point should be 93 °C (200 °F) or above. be made of all accessible joints and connections, attachment
welds where practical, and weep holes for paddings and
7.7 If plastic parts are used in the test container, the fluid attachments. Also inspect the area around inaccessible leakage
should not promote stress cracking or softening on the plastic. sites.
7.8 When the test container has carbon steel components, a 9.5.2 The inspector shall circle all accessible leaks found on
rust inhibitor should be used. the equipment using a nondeleterious marker. The magnitude
of leak shall be described in terms of: damp or moist area,
8. Apparatus
drops per minute or steady stream.
8.1 Pressure Gauge—The gauge must be able to withstand
9.6 Depressurizing—After inspection release the pressure
normal test pressures and be accurate enough to record small
slowly. The air vents need to be opened during draining to
pressure drops. Pressure gauges should be calibrated before
admit air and prevent collapsing of the test system.
each test. The gauge must be accurate to within 1 % of full
scale. The gauge must read at least 1.5× but not more than
4× the maximum test pressure to be used. (See Terminology 10. Pressure Drop Method
E1316 for a description of terms.) 10.1 Pressurize the system in accordance with Section 8.