ASTM_D_7953_-_20.pdf

Designation:D795320Standard Practice forElectrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Usingthe Arc Testing Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7953;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice is a performance-based standard for anelectrical method for locating leaks in exposed geomembranes.For clarity,this practice uses the term“leak”to mean holes,punctures,tears,knife cuts,seam defects,cracks,and similarbreaches in an installed geomembrane(as defined in 3.2.6).1.2 This practice can be used for geomembranes installed inbasins,ponds,tanks,ore and waste pads,landfill cells,landfillcaps,canals,and other containment facilities.It is applicablefor geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene,polypropylene,polyvinylchloride,chlorosulfonatedpolyethylene,bituminous geomembrane,and any other suffi-ciently electrically insulating materials.This practice is bestapplicable for locating geomembrane leaks where the properpreparations have been made during the construction of thefacility.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D4439 Terminology for GeosyntheticsD6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical LeakLocation of Leaks in GeomembranesD7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on ExposedGeomembranes Using the Water Puddle MethodD7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on ExposedGeomembranes Using the Water Lance Method3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor general definitions used in thispractice,refer to Terminology D4439.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 artificial leak,nan electrical simulation of a leak ina geomembrane.3.2.2 conductive-backed geomembrane,na specialtygeomembrane manufactured using coextrusion technology fea-turing an insulating layer in intimate contact with a conductivelayer.3.2.3 current,nthe flow of electricity or the flow ofelectric charge.3.2.4 electrical leak location,na method which useselectrical current or electrical potential to locate leaks in ageomembrane.3.2.5 electrically isolated conductive-backed geomembraneinstallation,nan installation of conductive-backed geomem-brane that achieves a continuously conductive surface on thebottom layer while electrically isolating the bottom conductivelayer from the top insulating layer of the entire geomembraneinstallation.3.2.6 leak,nfor the purposes of this document,a leak isany unintended opening,perforation,breach,slit,tear,puncture,crack,or seam breach.Significant amounts of liquidsor solids may or may not flow through a leak.Scratches,gouges,dents,or other aberrations that do not completely1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosyn-thetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.Current edition approved Jan.1,2020.Published January 2020.Originallyapproved in 2014.Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D7953 14.DOI:10.1520/D7953-20.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.penetrate the geomembrane are not considered to be leaks.Types of leaks detected during surveys include but are notlimited to:burns,circular holes,linear cuts,seam defects,tears,punctures and material defects.3.2.7 poor contact condition,nfor the purposes of thisdocument,a poor contact condition means that a leak is not inintimate contact with the conductive layer underneath thegeomembrane to be tested.This occurs on a wrinkle or wave,under the ove