Smoke Testing

Smoke Testing - What You Need to Know

• Why is the City smoke testing?

  Smoke testing is a commonly used method to evaluate sewers, identify failed sanitary sewers, and locate connections between sanitary and storm sewers. The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of inflow and infiltration from storm water or ground water that could lead to high flows during rain events. Smoke testing can also help locate the following:

  • Buildings that have downspout, cellar, yard or basement drains, and sump pumps
  • Points of groundwater or storm water intrusion into the sewer
  • Any cross connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains
  • Defective sewer connections that could allow sewer gases into a building

  Sanitary sewer systems are designed to collect residential sewer flows and can be overwhelmed by storm sewer flows infiltrating the system, creating problems for residents and City operations.

• How does smoke testing work?

  This testing is performed by blowing a harmless vapour into a sewer. The “smoke” is not a real smoke, but rather a mist containing a large percentage of moisture. It is highly visible at low concentrations. The smoke is expected to exit from manholes, the sewer stack at the top of your house, catch basins and downspouts.

  The City will deliver notices to buildings within the testing area and will inform the local fire and police departments of where they will be conducting smoke testing each day.

  Smoke may be seen coming out of the ground, manholes, or sewer stacks and gutters on homes and businesses. Smoke coming out of the ground may indicate a break or other defect in the sewer line that allows smoke to escape up through the ground. For instance: if smoke permeates up through a yard, it indicates breaks in the sewer line.

  Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required, and smoke should escape from building sewer stacks.

• What can I do to prepare for smoke testing?

  When you receive notice that smoke testing will take place, you could pour approximately half a litre of water into your basement floor drains and run a small amount of water into any sink, bathtub or other fixture that may not have been used for a long period of time.

  If there is an individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and/or mobility limitations, or if you have any additional questions, contact the City's Dogwood Operations Centre at dogwood.operations@campbellriver.ca or 250-286-4033.

• Where does the smoke appear?

  In nearly all cases, smoke will be seen coming from sewer stacks in the roof, building foundations, manhole covers or yard cleanouts. Smoke coming from sewer stacks of homes is a normal occurrence during testing and indicates to the crews that smoke has filled all sewers and the plumbing in the home is working correctly.

  If you have any additional questions, contact the City's Dogwood Operations Centre at dogwood.operations@campbellriver.ca or 250-286-4033.

• Can smoke enter my house?

  It is possible, although rare, that smoke could enter a residence through a drain trap that has dried out or another plumbing defect, such as an un-trapped washing machine drain.  Some smoke may enter your home or place of business if the:

  • Vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed
  • Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed, or missing
  • Pipes, connections and seals of the wastewater drain system in and under your buildings are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed

• What should I do if smoke vapour gets into the house?

  • Do not become alarmed.
  • Open windows to allow ventilation and note the location of the smoke emission; smoke will clear within a few minutes.
  • Exit the building and notify smoke testing personnel in the area.

• If the smoke vapour is not harmful, why do you recommend evacuating the structure?

  We recommend evacuating as a precautionary measure in case the smoke is due to a real fire rather than a test, and also because smoke in your house from this test indicates that other sewer gases may also be entering the building.

• What happens if the inspection crews find a faulty sewer or lack of water traps in a home?

  If smoke vapour is seen within a house or structure, our crews will attempt to notify the homeowners of these potential defects. Owners will be responsible for repairs to private-property plumbing.

• How long will the smoke testing take?

  While crews might be in your area for a few hours, each actual smoke test setup takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Most houses will only be within the testing area for one or two tests.

• Do I have to be home during testing?

  No. Inspection crews will not need to enter your home.

• Can the smoke testing activate the smoke alarms?

  Yes, smoke alarms may be activated during smoke testing. If possible, open windows and/or doors for ventilation. If you have any doubts about the origin of the smoke, please notify smoke-testing personnel in the area.