ASTM D8551-24
(Practice)Standard Practices for Permanent Monitoring Systems for Electrical Leak Detection and Location
Standard Practices for Permanent Monitoring Systems for Electrical Leak Detection and Location
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Geomembranes are used as impermeable barriers to prevent liquids leaking out of landfills, ponds, and other containment facilities. In addition, geomembranes are also used to prevent external liquids leaking into to these types of facilities (for example, floating covers, landfill caps, and roofs of storage tanks). The liquids may contain contaminants that, if released, can cause damage to the environment or damage to the contents where protection is against leakage into the facility. In the case of a landfill cap, leakage increases the amount of leachate that the landfill can produce. Leaking liquids can erode the subgrade, causing further damage. Leakage can result in product loss or otherwise prevent the installation from performing its intended containment purpose. For these reasons, it is desirable that the geomembrane have as little leakage as practical.
4.2 Geomembrane leaks can be caused by poor quality of the subgrade, poor quality of the material placed on the geomembrane, accidents, poor workmanship, manufacturing defects, and carelessness.
4.3 The most significant causes of leaks in geomembranes that are covered with only water are related to construction activities, including pumps and equipment placed on the geomembrane, accidental punctures, punctures caused by traffic over rocks or debris on the geomembrane or in the subgrade, and ruptures caused by settlement during filling.
4.4 The most significant cause of leaks in geomembranes covered with earthen materials is construction damage caused by machinery that occurs while placing the earthen material on the geomembrane. Such damage also can breach additional layers of the lining system such as geosynthetic clay liners.
4.5 As a practical measure, other electrical leak location methods (see Guide D6747) should be used in conjunction with the permanent monitoring system to eliminate leaks in the installed geomembrane(s) as part of facility construction. Such methods must include testing ...
SCOPE
1.1 These practices describe standard procedures for using electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered with liquid, earthen materials, waste, and/or any material deposited on the geomembrane.
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that permanent leak detection and location systems are effective, which can result in complete containment (no leaks in the geomembrane).
1.3 Not all sites will be easily amenable to this method, but some preparation can be performed in order to enable this method at nearly any site as outlined in Section 6. If ideal testing conditions cannot be achieved (or designed out), the method can still be performed, but any issues with site conditions must be documented.
1.4 Permanent monitoring systems for electrical leak detection and location can be used on geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, and other containment facilities including civil engineering structures. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other sufficiently electrically insulating materials.
1.5 Any permanent electrical monitoring system must detect the occurrence of a leak through the geomembrane, and it must last longer than the monitored geomembrane by nature of the concept. Therefore, all buried components and mechanical and electrical connections must be made of material either the same as the geomembrane, in case of sensors situated above geomembrane, or made from a material with a longer lifespan in cases where they are situated under the monitored geomembrane.
1.6 Permanent electrical monitoring systems are comprised of either large mesh pads separated by nominal spaces, or a grid of sensors situated either below the geomembrane or above the geomembrane or in both positions (below and above the ge...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8551 − 24
Standard Practices for
Permanent Monitoring Systems for Electrical Leak Detection
1
and Location
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8551; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the geomembrane). In specific cases, sensors may be situated
only at the perimeter of the monitored lined facility.
1.1 These practices describe standard procedures for using
electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
with liquid, earthen materials, waste, and/or any material standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
deposited on the geomembrane. standard.
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that permanent 1.8 The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak
leak detection and location systems are effective, which can location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced
result in complete containment (no leaks in the geomembrane). personnel. Appropriate safety measures should be taken to
protect the leak location operators, as well as other people at
1.3 Not all sites will be easily amenable to this method, but
the site.
some preparation can be performed in order to enable this
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
method at nearly any site as outlined in Section 6. If ideal
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
testing conditions cannot be achieved (or designed out), the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
method can still be performed, but any issues with site
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
conditions must be documented.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 Permanent monitoring systems for electrical leak detec-
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
tion and location can be used on geomembranes installed in
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
caps, and other containment facilities including civil engineer-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ing structures. The procedures are applicable for geomem-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
branes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous
material, and other sufficiently electrically insulating materials.
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 Any permanent electrical monitoring system must detect
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the occurrence of a leak through the geomembrane, and it must
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
last longer than the monitored geomembrane by nature of the
D6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak
concept. Therefore, all buried components and mechanical and
Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
electrical connections must be made of material either the same
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
as the geomembrane, in case of sensors situated above
Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
geomembrane, or made from a material with a longer lifespan
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
in cases where they are situated under the monitored geomem-
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Mate-
brane.
rials
1.6 Permanent electrical monitoring systems are comprised
D7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
of either large mesh pads separated by nominal spaces, or a
Geomembranes Using the Water Lance Method
grid of sensors situated either below the geomembrane or
D7909 Guide for Placement of Intentional Leaks During
above the geomembrane or in both positions (below and above
Electrical Leak Location Surveys of Geomembranes
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
2
Geosynthetics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geomembranes. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2024. Published February 2024. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D8551-24. the ASTM website.
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