Test Sanitary Sewer: Air, Mandrel, CCTV Acceptance Checklist

Definition: Test sanitary sewer pipelines using air, mandrel, and CCTV methods for construction QA, documenting acceptance, safety, and records for engineers, inspectors, and contractors.

What: verify pipe integrity via air, mandrel, and CCTV methods
Why: prevent leaks, blockages, and costly rework before service connections
How: stepwise procedures with tools, tolerances, objective pass/fail evidence
Interactive, commentable checklist with export and QR code record bundles

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Checklist

Test sanitary sewer pipelines using low-pressure air, mandrel deflection, and CCTV inspection to verify integrity before acceptance. This checklist focuses on post-construction testing only, excluding installation, and supports inspectors, contractors, and owners. It assembles proven procedures for air testing, mandrel pulls (ovalization/deflection), and closed-circuit television (CCTV) sewer inspection, along with acceptance decisions and records management. By following these steps, teams reduce leakage risk, avoid sags and protruding laterals, and document clear pass/fail evidence per approved project specifications and authority requirements. The outcome is a compliant system with traceable calibration, photographs, videos, and signatures ready for handover. Use this interactive checklist—tick items, add comments, and export to PDF/Excel with a secure QR link for verification.

Use this focused, installation-excluded workflow to run low-pressure air testing, mandrel deflection checks, and CCTV surveys on sanitary sewer segments. It provides tools, safety controls, pass/fail cues, and documentation requirements so owners, engineers, and contractors can achieve timely, compliant acceptance without disputes.
Standardize your low-pressure air testing: isolate segments with rated plugs, stabilize pressure, and time the decay against approved limits. Follow with mandrel pulls to confirm maximum allowable deflection, documenting mandrel dimensions, chainage, and outcomes. Clearly record failures, corrective actions, and retests to demonstrate conformance.
Deliver defensible CCTV evidence with calibrated distance counters, consistent travel speed, and defect coding. Capture chainage-referenced screenshots, lateral locations, and infiltration observations. Package MP4 files, logs, and a concise acceptance summary. Archive with consistent filenames, metadata, and signatures for rapid authority review and approval.
Interactive online checklist with tick, comment, and export features secured by QR code.

Pre-Test Controls

1. Confirm testing approvals and traffic/confined space permits are current; verify work order references and applicable acceptance criteria per approved project specifications and authority requirements; attach permit copies to the test record.
2. Isolate the pipe reach between manholes with properly sized pneumatic plugs rated above intended test pressure; record plug sizes, serial numbers, and pressure ratings; photograph plug installation at each manhole.
3. Assess site conditions: measure ambient air temperature (°C) and note groundwater level relative to pipe crown (m); document values, as they influence air test results and CCTV visibility.
4. Verify all gauges and timers used for testing have calibration within the required interval; record certificate numbers, calibration date, and gauge accuracy (for example, ±1% full scale); photograph calibration stickers.
5. Confirm the pipeline was cleaned and flushed; remove debris and standing water as feasible using jet/vac equipment; capture pre-test photos showing clean invert and open flow path.

Low-Pressure Air Test

6. Install test plugs with safety restraints and a bleed/vent valve; perform a soap solution check on plug interfaces to confirm no plug leakage before starting the pressure test; record findings.
7. Attach a calibrated pressure gauge and regulator; pressurize the isolated segment slowly to the specified test pressure; allow stabilization as required; record start pressure (kPa), temperature (°C), and stabilization time (min).
8. Begin the timing interval once pressure is stable; measure the time for pressure to decay between the specified limits; acceptance: decay time meets or exceeds the required minimum; record elapsed time to the nearest second.
9. If decay time is below the minimum, locate leaks using audible listening and soap solution along accessible joints and laterals; document defect locations by chainage and clock position; record corrective actions.
10. Depressurize the line safely through the bleed valve; verify gauges return to zero and plugs remain secured; document final gauge readings and capture post-test photos.

Mandrel Deflection Test

11. Select a rigid mandrel sized to the allowable percent deflection for the pipe; verify mandrel outside dimensions with calipers (mm) and record measured diameters and mandrel ID.
12. Perform the mandrel pull after required backfill settlement/soak period; use a non-metallic line to pull from the downstream manhole unless specified otherwise; record pull direction and segment chainage.
13. Pull the mandrel at a slow, steady rate without forcing or rotating; acceptance: mandrel passes through the full reach without binding; if binding occurs, stop and mark chainage for investigation.
14. Log pipe size, material, reach length, manhole IDs, allowable deflection criterion, and pass/fail; photograph the mandrel at the manhole, showing size markings and verification measurements.
15. For deflection failures, delineate the affected area, initiate remediation (for example, re-compaction or replacement) per engineer direction, observe the required waiting period, and retest; attach before/after records.

CCTV Inspection

16. Use a high-resolution pan/tilt camera with a calibrated distance counter; verify counter calibration against a measured tape (m) and record the deviation and equipment serial number.
17. Set camera focus, lighting, and lens cleanliness; confirm smooth crawler function; start recording with metadata: project, segment ID, date/time, operator, upstream/downstream manhole IDs, and chainage zero reference.
18. Survey at a steady speed to avoid motion blur; ensure water level and debris do not obscure the invert; acceptance: continuous, readable video with uninterrupted chainage; document any visibility limitations.
19. Code defects using the approved standard; note clock position, chainage (m), and extent; capture screenshots for cracks, offsets, intruding laterals, infiltration, sags, or debris; flag any structural or service-impacting issues.
20. Confirm lateral connections are identified and free of protrusions; acceptance: no active infiltration, blockages, or displaced joints exceeding allowable limits; record each lateral’s chainage and orientation.
21. Deliver MP4 video, a defect log (CSV/XLSX) with chainage references, and a concise segment report; include a plan or schematic if available; store files in the designated project repository with standardized filenames.

Acceptance & Records

22. Compile air, mandrel, and CCTV outcomes; compare each against approved acceptance criteria; produce a pass/fail summary sheet for the segment and identify any required corrective actions and retests.
23. Obtain digital sign-offs from contractor, inspector, and owner’s representative; capture names, roles, and timestamps; attach signatures to the test package and archive within the project quality system.
24. Update as-built data: manhole IDs, reach length (m), pipe size/material, and invert levels (m); attach final CCTV index; export updates to GIS/CAD and store the export alongside the test package.
25. Raise a nonconformance for any failed criteria; record defect description, location, corrective method, responsible party, and target retest date; close out with evidence of satisfactory retest results.
26. Archive all evidence: permits, calibration certificates, photos, videos, logs, and summary sheets; ensure consistent filenames and metadata; back up to cloud and local storage; include a QR link for retrieval.
27. Export the completed interactive checklist to PDF and Excel; verify that hyperlinks to videos, photos, and certificates function; distribute to stakeholders per the project communication plan.
28. Issue final acceptance recommendation for the segment when all tests pass and records are complete; obtain owner/authority acceptance notification per approved project specifications and authority requirements.

Plan the Test Segment, Isolation, and Safety Controls

Effective sanitary sewer testing starts with precise scoping and safe isolation. Confirm permits, traffic control, and confined space requirements. Select the manhole-to-manhole reach and verify access for plugs, mandrel pulls, and the CCTV crawler. Ensure the line is cleaned and free-draining to reduce false failures. Choose plugs rated above the intended pressure and add safety restraints. Log calibration status for all gauges and timing devices so readings are defensible. Record environmental conditions—temperature and groundwater—because they affect air test stability and CCTV visibility. Establish a data structure and filename convention before starting so photos, videos, and logs align by segment and chainage. Agree on acceptance criteria per approved project specifications and authority requirements, and predefine roles for witnessing and sign-off. Careful planning reduces retests, protects workers around pressurized plugs, and delivers records that withstand review without rework.

Define reach by manhole IDs and chainage limits
Use plugs rated above intended pressure with restraints
Verify instrument calibration and document certificates
Clean the line to remove debris and standing water
Preplan filenames, metadata, and witness roles

Execute Low-Pressure Air and Mandrel Deflection Tests

Perform the air test by stabilizing the line at the specified pressure, timing the decay across defined limits, and comparing the result to the required minimum. Temperature stabilization and proper gauge accuracy are critical to valid readings. If the segment fails, use soap solution and listening to pinpoint leaks, then repair and retest. Follow with mandrel testing after the required settlement period. Verify mandrel dimensions with calipers and document size, pipe material, and allowable deflection. Pull steadily without forcing; a free pass indicates compliance. When binding occurs, stop, record chainage, and escalate for remediation. Throughout, record evidence: start/finish pressures, elapsed time, photos of setups, mandrel measurements, and witness signatures. This disciplined approach prevents subjective calls and builds an audit-ready record for acceptance.

Stabilize pressure, then time decay precisely
Use soap and listening to locate leaks
Measure mandrel dimensions with calipers
Pull steadily; do not force or rotate
Capture photos, times, and signatures

CCTV Survey, Acceptance Decisions, and Records Handover

CCTV confirms internal condition and ties all results to chainage. Validate the distance counter against a tape to ensure accurate defect locations. Maintain steady speed and sufficient lighting; pre-clean if visibility is poor. Code defects consistently and capture screenshots for key findings such as cracks, offsets, intruding laterals, infiltration, and sags. Compile deliverables: MP4 videos, defect logs (CSV/XLSX), and a concise acceptance report summarizing pass/fail against the approved criteria. Update as-builts with manhole IDs, reach lengths, and lateral positions. Conclude with digital sign-offs and a properly archived package featuring calibration certificates, photos, and videos. Organised records speed authority approvals and reduce callbacks.

Calibrate and verify the distance counter
Maintain steady travel and proper lighting
Code defects with chainage and clock position
Provide MP4, logs, and a summary report
Archive with consistent filenames and metadata

How to Use This Sanitary Sewer Testing Checklist

Preparation: Gather calibrated gauges, pneumatic plugs with restraints, mandrel and calipers, CCTV crawler with counter, jet/vac, thermometer, tape, PPE, permits, and approved acceptance criteria.
Preparation: Define the segment by manhole IDs, confirm access, cleaning status, and safety arrangements; brief the team on roles, hazards, and documentation requirements.
Using the Interactive Checklist: Start interactive mode, tick each step as completed, and add comments with photos, readings, and chainage references for traceability.
Using the Interactive Checklist: Attach calibration certificates, CCTV files, and defect logs; use tags for segment ID, date, and instrument IDs to keep records searchable.
Export: Generate an export as PDF/Excel that includes checkmarks, comments, embedded links to media, and a QR code to the full record bundle.
Sign-Off: Capture digital signatures from contractor, inspector, and owner; distribute the export to stakeholders and archive the QR-authenticated package in the project repository.

Photo-realistic editorial image of a civil construction crew testing a sanitary sewer segment at a manhole: pneumatic plugs with hoses and gauges, engineer pulling a mandrel, CCTV crawler and service van with monitor, traffic cones and barricades, urban right-of-way setting, early morning side-lighting, crisp details, 16:9 composition, no text

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Sanitary Sewer Testing: Air, Mandrel, CCTV

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Start Checklist Tick off tasks, leave comments on items or the whole form, and export your completed report to PDF or Excel—with a built-in QR code for authenticity.

License: CC-BY 4.0. Please credit: “Sanitary Sewer Testing: Air, Mandrel, CCTV by Quollnet” with a link to this source page.

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Aisha Khan AquaEngineerAisha

Mar 24, 2026

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FAQ

Question: What is the typical sequence: air test first, mandrel, or CCTV?

Run low-pressure air testing first to screen for leaks, then perform mandrel deflection to confirm ovalization compliance, followed by CCTV to document internal condition and exact defect locations. This order prevents pushing debris during CCTV and captures definitive evidence after remedial work. Always follow the sequence required by approved project specifications and authority requirements.

Question: How do groundwater and temperature affect low-pressure air testing?

High groundwater can influence apparent leakage and stability, while temperature changes affect internal pressure. Record groundwater relative to pipe crown and ambient temperature. Stabilize pressure before timing, ensure gauge accuracy, and follow the specified decay limits. If conditions are unsuitable, postpone or adjust per approved project specifications and authority requirements, and clearly note site conditions in the report.

Question: How do I select the correct mandrel size for deflection testing?

Choose a mandrel sized to the pipe’s allowable percent deflection per the approved specifications. Verify the mandrel’s actual dimensions with calipers and document them before use. Pull without forcing; a free pass indicates acceptance. If binding occurs, stop, identify the chainage, remediate, allow any required settlement period, and retest with documented evidence.

Question: What should a complete CCTV deliverable package include for acceptance?

Provide calibrated video (MP4), a defect log with chainage and coding, key screenshots, segment metadata (manhole IDs, pipe size/material, date/time), and a concise acceptance summary. Ensure filenames follow a consistent convention, links function, and the distance counter accuracy is verified. Archive alongside permits, calibration certificates, and signed checklists for rapid review.