ASTM D7007-15

Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Geomembranes are used as impermeable barriers to prevent liquids from leaking from landfills, ponds, and other containments. 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. 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, and punctures caused by traffic over rocks or debris on the geomembrane or in the subgrade.  
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 Electrical leak location methods are an effective final quality assurance measure to detect and locate leaks.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover standard procedures for using electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered with water or earthen materials. For clarity, this practice uses the term “leak” to mean holes, punctures, tears, knife cuts, seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an installed geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.5).  
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capability. To allow further innovations, and because various leak location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and equipment to perform these surveys, performance-based operations are used that specify the minimum leak detection performance for the equipment and procedures.  
1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment, procedures, and survey parameters used are demonstrated to result in an established minimum leak detection distance. The survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.  
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes covered with earthen materials. Separate procedures are given for leak detection distance tests using actual and artificial leaks.  
1.5 Examples of methods of data analysis for soil-covered surveys are provided as guidance in Appendix X1.  
1.6 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically-insulating materials.  
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.8 (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 earthen 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 m...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2014
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7007-09 - Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earth Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM D7007-16 - Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D7909-21a - Standard Guide for Placement of Intentional Leaks During Electrical Leak Location Surveys of Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6747-21 - Standard Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D7700-22 - Standard Guide for Selecting Test Methods for Geomembrane Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7007 − 15
StandardPractices for
Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes
1
Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7007; 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 1.8 (Warning—The electrical methods used for geomem-
brane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the
1.1 These practices cover standard procedures for using
potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard
electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered
might be increased because operations might be conducted in
with water or earthen materials. For clarity, this practice uses
or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between
the term “leak” to mean holes, punctures, tears, knife cuts,
the water or earthen material and earth ground, or any
seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an installed
grounded conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY
geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.5).
DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. The
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location
electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should
surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capa-
be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel.
bility. To allow further innovations, and because various leak
Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak
location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and
location operators as well as other people at the site.)
equipmenttoperformthesesurveys,performance-basedopera-
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tions are used that specify the minimum leak detection perfor-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
mance for the equipment and procedures.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 Thesepracticesrequirethattheleaklocationequipment,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
procedures, and survey parameters used are demonstrated to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
result in an established minimum leak detection distance. The
survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated
2. Referenced Documents
equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes
D6747 GuideforSelectionofTechniquesforElectricalLeak
covered with earthen materials. Separate procedures are given
Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
forleakdetectiondistancetestsusingactualandartificialleaks.
3. Terminology
1.5 Examples of methods of data analysis for soil-covered
surveys are provided as guidance in Appendix X1.
3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics, see
1.6 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes Terminology D4439.
installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
cells, landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The
3.2.1 artificial leak, n—an electrical simulation of a leak in
proceduresareapplicableforgeomembranesmadeofmaterials
a geomembrane.
such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlo-
3.2.2 current source electrode, n—the electrode that is
rosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other
placed in the water or earthen material above the geomem-
electrically-insulating materials.
brane.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.3 dipole measurement, n—an electrical measurement
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
made on or in a partially conductive material using two
standard.
closely-spaced electrodes.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem-
2
branes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published February 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D7007–09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7007-15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7007 − 15
3.2.4 earthen material, n—sand, gravel, clay, silt, combin
...

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: D7007 − 09 D7007 − 15
Standard Practices for
Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes
1
Covered with Water or EarthEarthen Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7007; 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 These practices describecover standard procedures for using electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered
with water or earth materials containing moisture.earthen materials. For clarity, this practice uses the term “leak” to mean holes,
punctures, tears, knife cuts, seam defects, cracks, and similar breaches in an installed geomembrane (as defined in 3.2.5).
1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capability.
To allow further innovations, and because various leak location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and equipment to
perform these surveys, performance-based operations are used that specify the minimum leak detection performance for the
equipment and procedures.
1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment, procedures, and survey parameters used are demonstrated to result
in an established minimum leak detection sensitivity.distance. The survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated
equipment, procedures, and survey parameters.
1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes
covered with earthearthen materials. Separate procedures are given for leak detection sensitivitydistance tests using actual and
artificial leaks.
1.5 Examples of methods of data analysis for soil-covered surveys are provided as guidance in Appendix X1.
1.6 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells,
landfill caps, and other containment facilities. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically-
insulating materials.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 Warning(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 earthen 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.—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.)
1.9 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009Jan. 1, 2015. Published August 2009February 2015. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20032009 as
D7007–03.–09. DOI: 10.1520/D7007-09.10.1520/D7007-1
...