ASTM D6747-21

Standard Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of Leaks in Geomembranes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Geomembranes are used as barriers to prevent liquids from leaking from landfills, ponds, and other containments. For this purpose, it is desirable that the geomembrane have as little leakage as practical.  
4.2 The liquids may contain contaminants that, if released, can cause damage to the environment. 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.  
4.3 Geomembranes are often assembled in the field, either by unrolling and welding panels of the geomembrane material together in the field, unfolding flexible geomembranes in the field, or a combination of both.  
4.4 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.  
4.5 Experience demonstrates that geomembranes can have leaks caused during their installation and placement of material(s) on the geomembrane.  
4.6 Electrical leak location methods are an effective and proven quality assurance measure to locate leaks. Such methods have been used successfully to locate leaks in electrically insulating geomembranes such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and bituminous geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, and landfill cells.  
4.7 The principle behind these techniques is to place a voltage across a sufficiently electrically insulating geomembrane and then locate areas where electrical current flows through leaks in the geomembrane (as shown schematically in Fig. 1). Other electrical leak paths such as pipe penetrations, flange bolts, steel drains, and batten strips on concrete and other extraneous electrical paths should be electrically isolated or insulated to prevent masking of leak signals caused by electrical short-circuiting through those preferential el...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to assist individuals or groups in assessing different options available for locating leaks in installed geomembranes using electrical methods. For clarity, this guide uses the term “leak” to mean holes, punctures, tears, knife cuts, seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an installed geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.6).  
1.2 This guide does not cover systems that are restricted to seam testing only, nor does it cover systems that may detect leaks non-electrically. It does not cover systems that only detect the presence, but not the location, of leaks.  
1.3 (Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These procedures are potentially very dangerous, and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.)  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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, G...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2021
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

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: D6747 − 21
Standard Guide for
Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of
1
Leaks in Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6747; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide is intended to assist individuals or groups in
assessing different options available for locating leaks in
2. Referenced Documents
installed geomembranes using electrical methods. For clarity,
2
this guide uses the term “leak” to mean holes, punctures, tears, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
knife cuts, seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
installed geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.6). D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
1.2 This guide does not cover systems that are restricted to
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
seam testing only, nor does it cover systems that may detect
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Mate-
leaks non-electrically. It does not cover systems that only
rials
detect the presence, but not the location, of leaks.
D7240 Practice for Electrical Leak Location Using
1.3 (Warning—The electrical methods used for geomem-
Geomembranes with an Insulating Layer in Intimate
brane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the
Contact with a Conductive Layer via Electrical Capaci-
potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard
tance Technique (Conductive-Backed Geomembrane
might be increased because operations might be conducted in
Spark Test)
or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between
D7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded
Geomembranes Using the Water Lance Method
conductor. These procedures are potentially very dangerous,
D7852 Practice for Use of an Electrically Conductive Geo-
and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical
textile for Leak Location Surveys
methods used for geomembrane leak location should be
D7953 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel.Appro-
Geomembranes Using the Arc Testing Method
priate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak
D8265 Practices for Electrical Methods for Mapping Leaks
location operators as well as other people at the site.)
in Installed Geomembranes
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3. Terminology
standard.
3.1 For general definitions used in this guide, refer to
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Terminology D4439.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 conductive-backed geomembrane, n—a specialty
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
geomembrane manufactured using the co-extrusion process
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
with an insulating layer in intimate contact with a conductive
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
layer.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.2 conductive drainage geocomposite, n—a specialty
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
drainage geocomposite manufactured with one or several
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
conductive geotextiles.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
2
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6747 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6747-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6747 − 21
3.2.3 conductive geotextile, n—a specialty geot
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6747 − 15 D6747 − 21
Standard Guide for
Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of
1
Leaks in Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6747; 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
1.1 This guide is intended to assist individuals or groups in assessing different options available for locating leaks in installed
geomembranes using electrical methods. For clarity, this guide uses the term “leak” to mean holes, punctures, tears, knife cuts,
seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an installed geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.33.2.6).
1.2 This guide does not cover systems that are restricted to seam testing only, nor does it cover systems that may detect leaks
non-electrically. It does not cover systems that only detect the presence, but not the location, of leaks.
1.3 (Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential for
electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In
particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These
procedures are potentially very dangerous, and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical methods used for geomembrane
leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to
protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.)
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
D7240 Practice for Electrical Leak Location Using Geomembranes with an Insulating Layer in Intimate Contact with a
Conductive Layer via Electrical Capacitance Technique (Conductive-Backed Geomembrane Spark Test)
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2021. Published January 2015August 2021. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 20122015 as
D6747D6747 – 15.–12. DOI: 10.1520/D6747-15.10.1520/D6747-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6747 − 21
D7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Water Lance Method
D7852 Practice for Use of an Electrically Conductive Geotextile for Leak Location Surveys
D7953 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Arc Testing Method
D8265 Practices for Electrical Methods for Mapping Leaks in Installed Geomembranes
3. Terminology
3.1 For general definitions used in this guide, refer to Terminology D4439.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 conductive-backed geomembrane, n—a specialty geomembrane manufactured using the coextrusionco-extrusion process
with an insulating layer in intimate con
...