---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 56.97-25"
title: "46"
number: "56.97-25"
heading: "Preparation for testing (modifies 137.2)."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/56.97-25"
---

# §56.97-25. Preparation for testing (modifies 137.2).

- (a) **Exposure of joints.** All joints including welds must be left uninsulated and exposed for examination during the test.
- (b) **Addition of temporary supports.** Piping systems designed for vapor or gas may be provided with additional temporary supports, if necessary.
- (c) **Restraint or isolation of expansion joints.** Expansion joints must be provided with temporary restraint, if required for the additional pressure load under test.
- (d) **Isolation of equipment not subjected to pressure test.** Equipment that is not to be subjected to the pressure test must be isolated by a blank flange or equivalent means.
- (e) **Treatment of flanged joints containing blinds.** Flanged joints at which blinds are inserted to blank off other equipment during the test need not be tested.
- (f) **Precautions against test medium expansion.** If a pressure test is to be maintained for a period of time and the test medium in the system is subject to thermal expansion, precautions must be taken to avoid excessive pressure. A small relief valve set to 1 1/3 times the test pressure is recommended during the pressure test.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 73-254, 40 FR 40167, Sept. 2, 1975]

### Source

Source: CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18843, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended by USCG-2020-0634, 89 FR 50158, June 12, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j), 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18843, Dec. 18, 1968, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 73-254, 40 FR 40167, Sept. 2, 1975]