During a hydrostatic test, at what percentage of the maximum intended test pressure should the test be paused for inspection?

The correct answer is that the test should be paused for inspection at 50% of the maximum intended test pressure. This is a commonly accepted standard in the industry to ensure safety and integrity of the piping systems being tested. Pausing at this percentage allows for a thorough visual inspection of all joints, fittings, and the system as a whole to check for any leaks or issues that may not be apparent at lower pressures.

At 50%, the pressure is sufficient to reveal potential weaknesses or defects in the material or construction, but it is still below the maximum intended pressure, making it safer for personnel to conduct the inspection. Performing this inspection allows for corrective actions to be addressed before the pressure is raised to potentially hazardous levels, thus improving the overall safety and reliability of the system.

Other options such as 25%, 30%, or 75% either do not provide an adequate safety margin for inspection or could delay discovering potential issues until higher pressures are reached where the risk is greater.