Discuss NFPA CFI-I Exam Topic 4 Question 13

At what minimum pressure would automatic sprinkler piping be hydrostatically tested if the maximum system pressure is 175 psi (12 bar)?

A175 psi (12 bar)

B200 psi (13.8 bar)

C225 psi (15.5 bar)

D250 psi (17 bar)

Suggested Answer: B

According to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, all sprinkler piping must undergo a hydrostatic test to verify its strength and leak resistance.

Hydrostatic testing must be conducted at a pressure of 200 psi (13.8 bar) or 50 psi (3.4 bar) greater than the system's maximum working pressure, whichever is higher.

Since the maximum system pressure is 175 psi, the test pressure must be at least 200 psI .

175 psi (A) is the system pressure, not the test pressure.

225 psi (C) and 250 psi (D) exceed the required test pressure.

NFPA 13, Section 25.2.1.1: Hydrostatic test requirements for sprinkler piping.

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34 comments · newest first

Pansy 10 months ago

The standard is indeed 200 psi for testing.

Shawna 10 months ago

I thought it was 225 psi? Seems high.

Norah 10 months ago

Definitely B, can’t risk it with lower pressure!

Scarlet 10 months ago

It’s usually 1.5 times the max pressure, so 200 psi sounds right.

Jackie 10 months ago

Wait, why would it be 250 psi? That seems excessive.

James 11 months ago

I thought it was 250 psi, but I might be mixing it up with another type of system. I need to double-check the guidelines.

Hildegarde 11 months ago

I feel like the answer might be 225 psi, but I can't recall if that's the standard for hydrostatic testing.

Julio 11 months ago

I remember a practice question where we had to calculate the test pressure based on the system pressure. I think it was around 200 psi for a system like this.

Laila 11 months ago

I think the minimum pressure for hydrostatic testing is usually 1.5 times the maximum system pressure, but I'm not entirely sure how that applies here.

Marguerita 12 months ago

Ah, I remember this from the lecture. The hydrostatic test pressure is typically 50% higher than the maximum system pressure. So if the max is 175 psi, the minimum test pressure would be 175 + (0.5 x 175) = 262.5 psi. I think the answer is D.

Tashia 12 months ago

I'm a bit confused on this one. I know the hydrostatic test pressure needs to be higher than the maximum system pressure, but I'm not sure of the exact relationship. I'll have to review my notes and try to reason this out.

Linwood 12 months ago

Okay, let me see if I can figure this out. The maximum system pressure is 175 psi, so the hydrostatic test pressure needs to be higher than that. I'm thinking the answer is probably B or C, but I'll have to double-check the typical pressure increase for hydrostatic testing.

Meaghan 1 year ago

Hmm, I'm a little unsure about this one. I know the hydrostatic test pressure is usually higher than the maximum system pressure, but I'm not sure by how much. I'll have to think this through carefully.

Kayleigh 1 year ago

This one seems pretty straightforward. The question is asking for the minimum pressure for hydrostatic testing, and the maximum system pressure is 175 psi, so I think the answer is A.

Truman 1 year ago

Alright, time to break out the pressure gauge and give it a good ol' hydrostatic test! Woohoo, let's do this!

Tegan 1 year ago

↳ replying to Truman

B) 200 psi (13.8 bar)

Alisha 1 year ago

↳ replying to Truman

A) 175 psi (12 bar)

Erinn 1 year ago

You know, I bet they're just trying to trick us with this question. The answer is definitely A, 175 psi (12 bar). Easy peasy.

Dalene 1 year ago

Hmm, I'm gonna go with D. Better safe than sorry, right? 250 psi (17 bar) sounds about right.

Yolando 1 year ago

↳ replying to Dalene

I agree, D seems like the safest option for hydrostatic testing.

Fidelia 1 year ago

↳ replying to Dalene

I think D is a good choice too. It's always better to be safe.

Laticia 1 year ago

Why do you think it's B)?

Tesha 1 year ago

I disagree, I believe the correct answer is B) 200 psi.

Ty 1 year ago

Dude, if the max system pressure is 175 psi, then the test pressure should be at least 250 psi (17 bar). Safety first, am I right?

Cassie 1 year ago

↳ replying to Ty

D) 250 psi (17 bar)

Shannon 1 year ago

↳ replying to Ty

A) 175 psi (12 bar)

Laticia 1 year ago

I think the answer is A) 175 psi.

Carmelina 1 year ago

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's C, 225 psi (15.5 bar). Gotta test it a little higher than the max system pressure, you know?

Marguerita 1 year ago

I think the answer is B, 200 psi (13.8 bar). That's the standard minimum pressure for hydrostatic testing, right?

Linette 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marguerita

C) 225 psi (15.5 bar)

Glory 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marguerita

Correct! The minimum pressure for hydrostatic testing is typically 1.5 times the maximum system pressure.

Lisbeth 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marguerita

B) 200 psi (13.8 bar)

Sharmaine 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marguerita

No, the minimum pressure for hydrostatic testing is higher than the maximum system pressure.

Paulina 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marguerita

A) 175 psi (12 bar)

NFPA CFI-I Exam - Topic 4 Question 13 Discussion