UPC Section 1213 makes new fuel gas piping prove it is leak-free before any gas flows. The plumber pressure-tests the line with air or another non-flammable gas, an inspector checks it, and the line is purged before appliances are connected.
The Uniform Plumbing Code is published and copyrighted by IAPMO. This page explains the section in our own words with a short excerpt only. Read the full official text at the source.
New gas pipe carries fuel that can burn or explode. So the code will not let it go into service until it proves tight. UPC Section 1213 sets how a plumber tests, inspects, and clears new fuel gas piping before any gas flows. The pipe has to hold a pressure test with no leaks. An inspector checks the work. Only then can gas be put into the line.
What this section covers
Section 1213 is titled Pressure Testing, Inspection, and Purging:
1213.0 Pressure Testing, Inspection, and Purging
This is Chapter 12 of the UPC, which covers fuel gas piping. The section has three jobs. Test the pipe for leaks. Let an inspector check it. Purge the line before appliances connect. Each step guards the home against a gas leak.
The pressure test
Before gas is allowed in, the new piping is filled with air or another non-flammable gas and put under pressure. The plumber caps the ends and pumps the line up to a set test pressure. That pressure has to hold for a set time with no drop on the gauge. A steady gauge means the joints are tight. A falling gauge means there is a leak to find and fix. The exact test pressure and hold time are set by the code, so they are described here, not quoted. Water is never used to test a gas line.
Inspection and purging
An inspector checks the pressure test and the pipe work. Nothing gets covered or connected until it passes. After the pipe passes, the line is purged. Purging clears the test air out of the pipe in a controlled way, so no unsafe mix of air and gas is left inside. Only after purging are appliances connected, lit, and put into use.
Where it fits with your gas system
Every new gas run falls under this rule. That covers a new line for a range, a water heater, a pool heater, a furnace, or a fire pit. The pipe is put in under UPC 1210 gas piping installation and sized under UPC 1215 gas pipe sizing. The test also applies when a line is extended or altered. The pipe that carries the gas may be black iron or flexible CSST. See what CSST gas tubing is. The device that steps gas down to appliance pressure is covered in what a gas pressure regulator is.
What this means for you
If you are adding or moving a gas line, plan for this test and inspection. The line cannot be used until it passes. This is one big reason gas work needs a licensed plumber and a permit, not a DIY fix. For who may do the work, see gas line permit and who can install it in Arizona. For price, see the cost to add a gas line. If you ever smell gas, act fast: see how to detect a gas leak. Our gas line service covers the test and inspection as part of the job.
Full text and source
UPC Section 1213 is part of the Uniform Plumbing Code. IAPMO publishes it and holds the copyright, so only the section heading is shown here. The test pressure, hold time, and purging steps are described in plain terms, not quoted. Phoenix enforces the 2024 UPC with local amendments. Read the section on the UPC viewer at UpCodes, review the official code at IAPMO, or confirm local amendments with the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department at phoenix.gov/pdd.
Keep Reading
- UPC 1208: Approved Fuel Gas Piping Materials
- UPC 1210: Installing Fuel Gas Piping
- UPC 1211-1212: Gas Appliance Connections and Shutoff Valves
- UPC 1215: Sizing Fuel Gas Piping
- Do I need a permit to install a gas line in Arizona, and who can do it?
- How do I detect a gas leak, and what does repair involve?
- How much does it cost to add a gas line?