Test tag for water heater

[hwh]

Does anyone know if you would need to have a test tag on a water heater installed in 2003. 6.22.6 requires the tag as of Oct, 2012, but what about a 2003 installation?

[Admin]

There's quite a history behind Clause 6.22.6.

The B149.1-00 code book used Section 5.22 to describe the pressure test requirements.  The B149.1-00 was ammended on June 1, 2001 and added Clause 5.22.7 to include the test tag requirements.

When the B149.1-05 replaced the B149.1-00 the pressure test requirements switched from Section 5.22 to Section 6.22.  Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document FS-67-05 adopted the B149.1-05 on January 1, 2006 and amended Section 6.22 by adding sub clause 6.22.6.

6.22.6 When the pressure test in 6.22.2 or the leak test in 6.22.4 is completed, a tag stating the following information shall be attached to the piping, tubing system or an appliance in a readily accessible location protected from the environment:
(i) Address of test;
(ii) Contractor's name
(iii) Contractor's registration number
(iv) Date of test
(v) Test pressure
(vi) Test duration
(vii) Total pipe length
(viii) Pipe size
(ix) Gas Technician name
(x) Gas Technician certificate number and classification
(xi) Statement: "DO NOT REMOVE"

Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document FS-098-07 adopted the CSA-B149.1S1-07, Supplement No. 1 on August 1, 2007.

Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document FS-144-09 amended the CSA-B149.1S1-07, Supplement No. 1 on February 18, 2009 and added sub clause 6.22.6.

Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document FS-200-12 will adopt the B149.1-10 on December 1, 2012 and has amended it to include sub clause 6.22.6.

Clause 6.22.2 describes what tests we must perform before connecting an appliance.

6.22.2
Before an appliance is connected, a piping and tubing system that contains fittings or joints shall be pressure tested using either air or an inert gas (carbon dioxide) in the following manner:
(a) Appliance shut-off valves not rated for the test pressure being used and meters and regulators shall not be connected to the piping or tubing system under test.
(b) The test pressure shall be measured by either a pressure gauge or equivalent device and, if a gauge is used, the minimum diameter shall be 3 in (75 mm) and the maximum range shall exceed the test pressure by at least 15% but not more than 300%. The pressure gauge or equivalent device shall be calibrated to read in increments of not more than either 2 psig (14 kPa) or 2% of the maximum dial reading of the pressure gauge, whichever is less.
(c) A pressure recorder when used for this test shall be calibrated to the requirements of Item (b).
(d) The pressure and duration of the test shall be in accordance with Table 6.3.

Clause 6.22.3 describes what tests we must perform after connecting an appliance.

6.22.3
After an appliance is connected, the system shall be tested in the following manner:
(a) Before turning on the gas for the test, a check shall be made to ensure that any opening from which gas can escape is closed.
(b) Immediately after allowing the gas into the piping or tubing system, a test shall be made to determine that no gas is escaping by carefully watching the test dial of the meter or by using a manometer.
(c) Where a meter is not provided, the pressure shall be measured with either a pressure gauge or equivalent device calibrated to read in increments not greater than those specified in Clause 6.22.2(b), with the following exceptions:
(i) for a system where the working pressure is 0.5 psig (3.5 kPa) or less, the pressure gauge or equivalent device shall be calibrated to read in increments of not greater than 1 in w.c. (250 Pa); and
(ii) for a system where the working pressure exceeds 0.5 psig (3.5 kPa) but does not exceed 5 psig (35 kPa), the pressure gauge or equivalent device shall be calibrated to read in increments of not greater than 2 in w.c. of pressure (0.5 kPa).
(d) The test described in Item (b) shall be of a 10 min duration.
(e) Each appliance connection, valve, valve train, and system component shall be checked while under normal operating pressure with either a liquid solution or a leak-detection device to locate any source of a leak.

Clause 6.22.4 describes what tests we must perform if we make an addition to the existing piping/tubing system.

6.22.4
An addition to an existing piping or tubing system shall be tested as an individual system in accordance with Clause 6.22, except that
(a) where the addition is 20 ft (6 m) or less in length and the normal working pressure is less than 0.5 psig (3.5 kPa), the addition shall be leak tested in accordance with Clause 6.22.3(e); and
(b) where the addition is accomplished using a welded tie-in, and the new system has been tested in compliance with Clause 6.22, the tie-in weld shall be tested in accordance with Clause 6.22.3(e).

Before we connect an appliance (6.22.2) or if we add to the existing piping/tubing system (6.22.4) we must perform a test and attach a tag.  My concern is with the fact that the person who activates the appliance may not be the person who is listed on the tag as having tested the piping/tubing system.  The TSSA should adopt an appliance activation tag for anyone who activates a newly installed or converted appliance.  The appliance activation tag should include different information than the pressure test tag, for example, gas pressure, flue gas readings, temperature rise etc...