Smoke testing (mechanical)

For other uses, see Smoke testing.
A sanitary sewer manhole in Springdale, Arkansas with smoke coming out as a result of smoke testing for leaks

Smoke testing refers to various classes of tests of systems, usually intended to determine whether they are ready for more robust testing. The expression probably was first used in plumbing in referring to tests for the detection of cracks, leaks or breaks in closed systems of pipes.[1]

Pre-dating the term itself, smoke tests were performed to detect leaks in wooden sailing vessels at least as early as 1836. After making a slow fire in the bottom of the hold, Richard Henry Dana writes, "Wherever smoke was seen coming out we calked and pasted and, so far as we could, make the ship smoke tight."[2]

  1. ^ "Stevenson, Thomas. A Treatise on Hygiene and Public Health, Volume 1. Published by: J. & A. Churchill, 1892". Philadelphia. 1892.
  2. ^ Dana, Richard Henry (1958). Two Years Before the Mast. United States of America: Pyramid Books Edition. pp. 132–133.