ASTM_D_7909_-_14.pdf

Designation:D790914Standard Guide forPlacement of Blind Actual Leaks during Electrical LeakLocation Surveys of Geomembranes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7909;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 guide is for placing blind actual leaks in geomem-branes before performing an electrical leak location survey.The geomembranes can be bare(not covered)or can becovered with water or moist soil.1.2 This guide is intended to serve as an additional qualitycontrol/quality assurance(QC/QA)measure to ensure thatleaks through the geomembrane are detectable,site conditionsare proper for leak location surveys,and a valid and completeleak location survey is performed.Because various leaklocation practitioners use a wide variety of equipment toperform these surveys and have a wide range of expertise,placement of blind actual leaks by the owner or ownersrepresentative helps ensure that the leak location survey isbeing performed correctly and completely.1.3 Placing blind actual leaks can also assist in determiningwhether or not the site conditions permit the flow of electriccurrent through leaks,which is necessary for detecting leaksusing electrical methods.1.4 For clarification,this guide is in addition to the typicalplacement of the artificial or actual leaks placed as described inthe relevant ASTM International standards for the various leaklocation methods.1.5 Placing blind actual leaks should be done with theconsent and knowledge of all involved parties and specificallythe“owner”of the geomembrane.Geomembranes are typicallypurchased and installed by dedicated geosynthetic installerswho“own”the geomembrane until the ownership gets trans-ferred to the end user.A project meeting should be set up withthe owner,the consultant,the geosynthetic installers,and theleak location contractor.The intention to use blind leaks shouldbe clearly stated by the owner or consultants or both and thescope and number to be placed should be understood by allparties.The consultant should broadly identify to the liningcontractor a location that can be easily repaired after the test.Itis critical that all actual blind holes be included on the linerdocumentation and repair record drawing.1.6 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranesinstalled in basins,ponds,tanks,ore and waste pads,landfillcells,landfill caps,and other containment facilities.Theprocedures are applicable for geomembranes made of electri-cally insulating materials.(WarningThe electrical methodsused for geomembrane leak location could use high voltagesresulting in the potential for electrical shock or electrocution.This hazard might be increased because operations might beconducted in or near water.In particular,a high voltage couldexist between the water or earth material and earth ground orany grounded conductor.These procedures are potentially verydangerous and can result in personal injury or death.Theelectrical methods used for geomembrane leak location shouldbe attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel.Appropriate safety measures shall be taken to protect the leaklocation operators as well as other people at the site.)1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D4439 Terminology for GeosyntheticsD6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for ElectricalDetection of Leaks in GeomembranesD7002 Practice for Leak Location on Exposed Geomem-branes Using the Water Puddle SystemD7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaksin Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earth Materials1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 onGeosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-branes.Current edition approved March 1,2014.Published March 2014.DOI:10.1520/D7909142For 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 States1 D7240 Practice for Leak Location using Geomembraneswith an Insulating Layer in Intimate Contact with aConductive Layer via Electrical Capacitance Technique(Conductive Geomembrane Spark Test)D7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exp