How long is a pressure test typically required to be held?

The typical duration for which a pressure test is held is 30 minutes. This duration is considered standard practice in many industry codes and guidelines, such as those put forth by ASME and API standards. The 30-minute timeframe allows sufficient time to stabilize the pressure within the system and to monitor for any signs of leaks or pressure drop that may indicate a failure in the integrity of the system.

Holding the test for a longer period may not provide additional value in most situations, as the primary goal is to detect immediate leaks rather than assess long-term integrity. This standard also helps ensure that tests are conducted efficiently, minimizing downtime while still achieving reliable results.

In contrast, other options such as 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 24 hours may either be too brief to effectively identify leaks or unnecessarily lengthy, leading to inefficiencies in operational workflow. Therefore, 30 minutes is recognized as the optimal duration for a preliminary pressure test in many applications.