What kind of testing is performed after the distribution piping is blown down?

The appropriate testing performed after the distribution piping is blown down is pressure testing. This type of testing is essential for verifying the integrity of the piping system to ensure that it can safely hold the designated pressure for the medical gases. Pressure testing involves applying a specified pressure to the system and monitoring for any leaks or failures. This is a critical step because even small leaks could lead to significant safety issues, including the potential for hazardous conditions in a medical environment.

Conducting pressure tests helps confirm that all connections, joints, and the overall system are robust enough to handle the operational pressures necessary for delivering medical gases. This testing is typically performed after all construction and installation work is completed to validate the system before it is put into service.

Other testing methods, while important in other contexts, serve different purposes. For instance, structural integrity testing focuses on the material and construction aspects of a system, vacuum testing is primarily used to check the tight seals for vacuum systems, and functional testing assesses the operational readiness of a system rather than its structural capabilities under pressure.