ASTM C969M-19

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Designation: C969M − 17 C969M − 19
Standard Practice for
Infiltration and Exfiltration Acceptance Testing of Installed
Precast Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines (Metric)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C969M; 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
1.1 This practice covers procedures for testing installed precast concrete pipe sewer lines using either water infiltration or
exfiltration acceptance limits to demonstrate the integrity of the installed materials and construction procedure.
1.2 This practice is the SI companion of Practice C969.
NOTE 1—The owner shall specify the following: who will conduct, observe, and furnish labor, furnish material and measuring devices, and pay for
the tests; who is responsible for determining local groundwater conditions; and which test is to be conducted, that is, an infiltration test or an exfiltration
test.
NOTE 2—The user of this practice is advised that test criteria presented in this practice are similar to those in general use. Pipe, 600-mm diameter or
larger, may be accepted by visual inspection when testing for infiltration.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C822 Terminology Relating to Concrete Pipe and Related Products
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to concrete pipe, see Terminology C822.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Determine the groundwater conditions surrounding the section of sewer to be tested and select the type of test to be
conducted.
4.2 For the infiltration test, the amount of water leaking into the sewer line is measured, and the rate of infiltration is determined.
If the rate is less than or equal to the allowable limit, the section of sewer tested is acceptable.
4.3 For the exfiltration test, the sewer line is filled with water to the specified test head and the rate of water loss is determined.
If the rate is less than or equal to the allowable limit, the section of sewer tested is acceptable.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This is not a routine test. The values recorded are applicable only to the sewer being tested and at the time of testing.
6. Preparation of the Sewer Line
6.1 The sewer line shall be free of debris prior to testing.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C13.09 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved April 15, 2017Jan. 1, 2019. Published May 2017January 2019. Originally approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 20092017 as
C969M – 02C969M(2009). – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C0969M-17.10.1520/C0969M-19.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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C969M − 19
6.2 The manholes, the ends of the branches, laterals, wyes, and stubs to be included in the test shall be plugged. All plugs shall
be secured to prevent leakage blowout due to testing pressure.
7. Procedure
7.1 Infiltration Testing:
7.1.1 Conduct testing from manhole to manhole or between more than two manholes. The length of main tested shall not exceed
213 m.
7.1.2 Stop all dewatering operations and allow the groundwater to return to its normal level. Infiltration testing shall not be used
unless the groundwater level is at least 0.6 m above the crown of the pipe for the entire length of the test section.
7.1.3 Plug all pipe outlets discharging into the upstream manhole.
7.1.4 Measure the groundwater elevation and determine the average head over the test section.
7.1.5 Measure infiltration leakage at the outlet of the test section. Because leakage allowances are small, measurements are best
made by either timing the filling of a small container of known volume, or by directing flow into a container for a specified time
and measuring the content, or by using small weirs.
7.1.6 If the measured rate of leakage is less than or equal to the allowable leakage in accordance with 8.1, the section of sewer
tested is acceptable.
7.1.7 If the test section tails, it is not prohibited that it be repaired and retested in accordance with this practice.
7.2 Exfiltration Testing:
7.2.1 Conduct testing from manhole to manhole or between more than two manholes. The length of main tested shall not exceed
213 m.
7.2.2 Determine the groundwater elevation at both ends of the test section. If the groundwater level is less than 0.6 m above
the crown of the pipe measured from the highest elevation of the sewer, the exfiltration test shall be used.
7.2.3 Plug all pipe outlets discharging into the upstream manhole and the test section outlet, and fill the sewer line with water.
7.2.4 At the upstream manhole, the test head shall be established as a minimum of 0.6 m above the crown of the pipe, or at least
0.6 m above existing groundwater, whichever is higher.
7.2.5 Allow the pipe to remain saturated for a period long enough to allow water absorption in the pipe, a minimum of 4 h and
up to a maximum of 72 h. After the absorption period, refill the pipe to the required test head.
7.2.6 Measure the leakage loss over a timed test period. The minimum test period shall be 15
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