What is the primary purpose of a hydrostatic test?

The primary purpose of a hydrostatic test is to check for leaks. This is conducted by filling a system, such as a water or gas pipeline, with water, pressurizing it to a specific level, and monitoring it for drops in pressure, which would indicate the presence of leaks. During the test, any loss of fluid or pressure suggests that there is an issue within the system that needs to be addressed before it can be safely put into service.

While inspecting pressure levels, assessing pipe integrity, and determining flow rates are important aspects of maintaining and inspecting piping systems, they are not the main focus of a hydrostatic test. The test is specifically designed to ensure that the system does not leak at pressure, making leak detection its primary function.