TIL my pressure gauge hit 210 psi on a hydro test and I still can't decide if I should've shut it down sooner

Max Patel · 2026-10-19T10:05:05.918462+00:00

Had a small vessel test on a Tuesday job over in Gary, spec called for 195 psi, and I watched the needle climb to 210 before I got the pump killed. Whole test held for the required 30 minutes and passed, no weeping at the seams, no bulging, nothing. But the guy running the shift said I was fine since the vessel was rated way higher and the extra 15 psi just proved it was solid. The other hand on the crew said I was nuts for letting it ride past the number on the drawing instead of cracking the valve at 195. I've been doing this 11 years and I still go back and forth on it. Part of me thinks a spec number is a spec number and you don't get cute with it, the other part thinks a 15 psi overshoot on a cold hydro isn't worth a shutdown and a redo. What's the move here, do you crack the valve right at the number or let it float a little and watch the gauge like a hawk?

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TIL my pressure gauge hit 210 psi on a hydro test and I still can't decide if I should've shut it down sooner | Boilermakers - SMM Buzz