Leak Detection
A landmark multi-tower condominium development in downtown Toronto—each tower rising over 70 floors—relies on an extensive network of vertical risers to deliver heating, cooling, and domestic water to thousands of residents. With district-energy integration and deep-lake-water cooling forming part of the site’s mechanical strategy, the reliability of every riser system is essential to overall building performance, efficiency, and lifecycle sustainability.
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Project Overview
Following installation of the hot- and cold-water risers (HWR/CWR), precise leak verification was required before commissioning. Instead of relying solely on traditional pressure testing, we deployed advanced pinpoint leak detection technology adapted for high-rise shafts. This non-invasive method allowed us to accurately trace and isolate small leaks within confined vertical risers—without destructive opening—ensuring efficient resolution and system readiness.
High-Rise Riser Verification
During construction, the hot-water riser (HWR) and cold-water riser (CWR) systems required precise integrity verification prior to commissioning. While standard pressure tests can confirm a loss in pressure, they do not identify the exact leak location—particularly challenging in high-rise buildings where vertical risers run through enclosed, limited-access shafts.
Precision Leak Detection
To accurately locate leaks, a specialized pinpointing method using advanced detection equipment was deployed and adapted for indoor high-rise applications. This approach enabled technicians to trace and isolate minor leaks within confined vertical spaces without invasive demolition, quickly identifying stress-related leak points at newly installed joints.
Project Impact
The adapted detection method enabled rapid pinpointing of riser leaks, reducing troubleshooting time and avoiding unnecessary demolition within the towers. This approach improved commissioning certainty, strengthened long-term system reliability, and minimized the risk of future failures by ensuring defects were identified and corrected early. It also enhanced overall safety, quality assurance, and compliance for the building’s mechanical