Final answer:
Drainage piping may be tested with an air test or a pressure test in lieu of a water test to verify integrity, with visual inspection serving as an initial assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drainage piping, except for plastic pipe, may be tested using an air test or a pressure test in lieu of a water test. This allows for verification of the integrity and leakproof nature of the piping system without the use of water.
An air test typically involves sealing the pipeline system and introducing air to a specified pressure then monitoring for pressure drops, which would indicate a leak. A pressure test might entail the same process using air or an inert gas, and in some cases, water might be used in pressure testing too, but it is generally not the standard for drainage piping. A visual inspection might be employed as an initial or supplementary assessment, but it cannot replace the conclusiveness of an air or pressure test.