ASTM_D_5925_-_96e1.pdf

Designation:D 5925 96e1Standard Practice forPreliminary Sizing and Delineation of Soil Absorption FieldAreas for On-Site Septic Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5925;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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.e1NOTEParagraph 1.6 was added editorially October 1998.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers procedures for estimating the di-mensions and marking the boundaries of a soil absorption areafor an on-site septic system involving residential-strengthwastewater.It can also be used to estimate the dimensions ofcommercial on-site septic systems where wastewater strengthsare similar to residential wastewater.1.2 This practice can also be used for marking the bound-aries of the area for a septic system constructed filter bed.1.3 This practice can be used at any site where a potentiallysuitable or recommended field area has been identified inaccordance with Practices D 5879 and D 5921.1.4 Non-metric units remain the common practice in designand installation of on-site waste disposal systems,and are usedin this practice.Use of SI units given in parentheses isencouraged,if acceptable to the appropriate permitting agency.1.5 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.1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performingone or more specific operations.This document cannot replaceeducation or experience and should be used in conjunctionwith professional judgment.Not all aspects of this practice maybe applicable in all circumstances.This ASTM standard is notintended to represent or replace the standard of care by whichthe adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,nor should this document be applied without consideration ofa projects many unique aspects.The word“Standard”in thetitle of this document means only that the document has beenapproved through the ASTM consensus process.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 5879 Practice for Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems2D 5921 Practice for Subsurface Characterization of Test Pitsfor On-Site Septic Systems23.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 clinometeran instrument for measuring inclination,as in topographic slope.3.1.2 constructed filter bed(CFB)for the purposes of thispractice,material,usually of a sandy texture,placed above orin an excavated portion of the natural soil for filtration andpurification of wastewater from an on-site septic system.3.1.3 on-site septic systemfor the purposes of this prac-tice,any wastewater treatment and disposal system that uses aseptic tank or functionally equivalent device for collectingwaste solids and treats wastewater using natural soils,orconstructed filter beds with disposal of the treated wastewaterinto the natural soil.3.1.4 potentially suitable field areathe portions of a sitethat remain after observable limiting surface features,such asexcessive slope,unsuitable landscape position,proximity towater supplies,and applicable setbacks,have been excluded.3.1.5 recommended field areathe portion of the poten-tially suitable field area at a site that has been determined to bemost suitable for an on-site septic system soil absorption fieldor filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.3.1.6 soil absorption(SA)areaan area of natural soil usedfor filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-siteseptic system.3.1.7 soil absorption field area(SAF)an area that includessoil absorption trenches and any soil barriers between thetrenches.Also called a leachfield.3.1.8 soil absorption trenchan excavated trench,usually1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment.Alsocalled a lateral or leachline.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRockand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface andSubsurface Characterization.Current edition approved April 10,1996.Published November 1996.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 04.09.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice should be used in conjunction with asurface and subsurface site investigation to delineate a recom-mended field area that is adequate for any septic system thatcan reasonably be anticipated for the site.If actual designresults in a smaller field area,the boundaries can be modifiedaccordingly.4.2 Staking and flagging procedures in the practice helpprevent accidental disturbance of a recommended septic sys-tem field area by equ