Release Detection for Piping

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Spring 2004

• Release Detection for Piping

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Types of Piping

• Safe Suction
• Unsafe Suction
• Pressurized

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Leak Detection Requirements

• Safe Suction- meets leak detection requirements
  if passes inspection
• Unsafe Suction- needs insitu monthly leak
  detection or line tightness test every 3 years
• Pressurized Piping- needs
• 1) Insitu monthly leak detection or annual line
  tightness test, and
• 2) Catastrophic (3 gph) leak detection

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Orientation

• What type of piping do you have?
• What method of piping leak detection are you
  using?
• Can you prove it is working properly?
• Do you check your results periodically?
• Do you have necessary records?

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Line Tightness Testing

• Annual test for Pressurized piping
• Test every 3 years for Unsafe Suction
• Vendor and state approved tester
• Method listed on NWGLDE
• Include test results with inspection report
• Most common in older single wall pipe systems
• Dont bother if any insitu method in place

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Monthly Leak Detection Options

• Interstitial Monitoring
• Electronic Automatic Line Leak Detector (ALLD)
  set for 0.2 gph and/or 0.1 gph testing
• Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR)

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Interstitial Monitoring First, the Piping

• Open sump lid
• Look where piping penetrates sump wall
• Is there a boot at the end or is the end open?

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Interstitial Monitoring Next, the Measurement

• If Electronic, look for
• Sensor. Flip over and check console readout
• Wiring. Check condition
• Print-out or hand written log
• If Manual, look for
• Sensorless sump
• Measuring device (stick, eyeball)
• Hardcopy Log

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Interstitial MonitoringFinally, the Console
(electronic)

• Tied into automatic tank gauge panel or Idiot
  light
• If automatic tank gauge panel
• Check sensor status after tipping over sensor.
• If Idiot Light
• See that it is on after tipping over sensor.
• If either but no paper
• Find monthly log

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Interstitial Log

• Written logs not preferable but legal
• Make a blank log form for your site

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Electronic Automatic Line Leak Detector

• Make sure ALLD is programmed for 0.2 gph testing.
• Make sure there is at least one passing test per
  month, printout or hand written log
• Check the equipment evaluation summary on the
  NWGLDE list (Is the device installed within
  limitations?)

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Statistical Inventory Reconciliation for Piping

• Check SIR records
• Check third party evaluation to make sure it is
  on the NWGLDE list
• Make sure the NWGLDE list states the method is
  evaluated for piping.

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Example of Suction Piping

• No pump
• Double Wall Piping
• Sump Sensor

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Safe Suction

• Piping slopes back to tank
• Checking this the eyeball way, if questionable
  inspector my use a transit or level
• Operates under atmospheric pressure
• Have to assume this one
• No more than one check valve at the dispenser
  (top of tank)
• Inspector need to check if possible.

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Unsafe Suction

• One of these things
• Piping slopes away from tank
• Check valve in tank
• Not at atmospheric pressure
• Leak Detection Options
• 3 year Line Tightness Test
• Monthly Leak Detection such as Interstitial
  Monitoring or SIR

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Example of Pressurized Piping Leak Detection

• Sump
• Double-wall piping and Sump Sensor (Monthly)
• Pump
• Electronic ALLD (Catastrophic 3gph test)

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Example of Mechanical ALLD for Catastrophic Leak
Detection

• Functional element of pump
• Mechanical ALLD (Catastrophic 3gph)
• Piping
• Crusty, oily water (must be removed)

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Mechanical ALLD what the inspector needs

• Confirm presence and operation
• Review third party evaluation (NWGLDE list- is
  the device installed within limitations?)
• Confirm annual function test protocol and review
  last annual function test results. (If moer than
  a year since last test, your inspector may be
  able to perform the test.) Test results are
  submitted to DEC with the inspection report.
• Inspector will also need to inspect
  monthly/annual leak detection method

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Example of Electronic ALLD for Catastrophic Leak
Detection

• Electronic ALLD (capable of Catastrophic 3gph and
  monthly 0.2gph)
• Look for electrical wire
• A controller panel (box) for the electronic ALLD
  is usually near pump control boxes or
  incorporated in the Automatic Tank Gauge and
  Sensor Control Panel

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Electronic ALLD what the inspector needs

• Confirm presence and operation
• Review third party evaluation (NWGLDE list- is
  the device installed within limitations?)
• Review documentation of maintenance/testing as
  recommended by manufacturer. Most manufacturers
  say they are self-testing, but some manufacturers
  require annual calibration. Your inspector my be
  able to perform necessary maintenance/testing.
• Catastrophic - Printout of last passing 3.0 gph
  test result or written documentation of last
  passing test
• Monthly printouts of last 12 months passing 0.2
  gph test results
• For now, State of Alaska is not requiring
  function testing annually unless recommended by
  manufacturer or the equipment is not on the
  NWGLDE list.

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Release detection for piping record keeping

• Mechanical ALLD (3gph) Annual function test
  results
• Electronic ALLD (3gph) last passing test
  printout/function test results and possibly
  documentation of calibration
• Electronic ALLD monthly 0.2 gph leak detection
  monthly printout/function test results or monthly
  written log documenting display has been checked
• Interstitial Manual written monthly log
• Interstitial Electronic printout- examples
  Veeder-Root Sensor Status Report EBW Contact
  Report Incon Line Compliance Report or hand
  written log if display only (no printer)
• Annual line tightness test Test results
• SIR Monthly report

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Bottom Line

• Review leak detection MONTHLY and Keep your leak
  detection records in order
• Extra vigilance is required to ensure pressurized
  piping leaks are detected ASAP