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 which, 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 Electrical leak location methods are an effective and proven quality assurance measure to detect and locate leaks.

1.1 This practice is a performance-based standard for an electrical method for locating leaks in exposed conductive-backed geomembranes. 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 3.2.7).

1.2 This practice can be used for conductive-backed geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, canals, and other containment facilities. It is applicable for conductive-backed geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous geomembrane, and any other electrically insulating materials. This practice is best applicable for locating conductive-backed geomembrane leaks where the proper preparations have been made during the construction of the facility.

1.3 For electrical leak location of conductive-backed geomembranes using methods in lieu of or in addition to the spark testing method, the installation must be electrically isolated (as defined in 3.2.5).

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 The spark test may produce an electrical spark and therefore should only be used where an electrical spark would not create a hazard. 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, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.