When performing operating pressure tests on gas systems using a soap bubble leak test, what is the hold time period?

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In a soap bubble leak test, the hold time is the period you keep the system at the test pressure and watch for leaks. The goal is to give any slow leaks time to become visible as bubbles in the soap solution. Fifteen minutes is the standard window because it reliably reveals leaks without unnecessarily delaying the test. Shorter times, like five minutes, can miss slow leaks, while longer times such as thirty or sixty minutes are generally not required by typical practice and slow things down. During the hold, apply the soap to joints, maintain the operating pressure, and observe for bubbles throughout the period; any bubbles mean a leak that needs repair and re-testing. If no bubbles appear during the hold, the system passes at the operating pressure.