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LG 166 - GUIDELINES FOR TESTING SPILL BUCKETS Enclosure 1 carefully removed and properly disposed of prior to testing, and this should be documented on the "Spill Bucket Testing Report Form." Spill buckets should be clean before testing. Fuel, rags, absorbents, water, and other materials used to clean the spill bucket may contain some residual hazardous substance, and may need to be managed/disposed of as hazardous waste. After cleaning, the spill bucket and fill cap should be inspected for any visible signs of leakage or damage. A spill bucket that is visibly damaged or leaking (e.g., obvious leaks on the fill pipe below the bucket, cracked spill bucket bottom or sides, etc.) does not need to be tested, but should be recorded as a failure on the "Spill Bucket Testing Report Form" and must be fixed or replaced. After fixing or replacing, the spill bucket must be tested. Prior to replacing a spill bucket, check with the local UST regulatory agency to see if a permit is required. Part II: Test Procedures Several approaches to testing spill buckets are currently in use. Although a simple hydrostatic "lake test" is most common, other methods such as vacuum testing or precision liquid level measurement devices can be used as well. In fact, these test methods may be preferable to the lake test because they are more sensitive, faster, and, in the case of vacuum methods, generate no hazardous waste and can identify the location of leaks. Common test methods are discussed below: A. Vacuum Test Methods Vacuum -based testing is performed by placing a sealed lid over the spill bucket while a partial vacuum is drawn within the bucket. The vacuum level within the sealed spill bucket is measured over time, and a pass/fail determination is made based on the rate at which the vacuum level decays. Use of a leak indicating solution (e.g., soapy water) and a clear lid to seal the spill bucket provides a visual indication of leaks as air entering the spill bucket causes bubbles. The test duration and pass/fail criteria for vacuum testing must be at least as sensitive as discussed in part H, section B(1), below. Vacuum testing must also test at least the same volume of the spill bucket as discussed in part 11, section B(1). Note: The pressure -based drop tube%verfll prevention valve test (TP -201.1C or 1D) required by the Air Resources Board (ARB) does not test the same volume of the spill bucket, and therefore is not considered to be an equivalent method. Because they are quick, can identify the location of leaks, and generate no hazardous waste, vacuum - based methods are preferred for testing spill buckets. While vacuum testing has many advantages over the traditional hydrostatic lake test, there are some important limitations to be aware of: 1. Special equipment is required for vacuum -based testing, so tests should only be conducted by a qualified service technician. 2. Some spill buckets cannot be sealed at the top and therefore cannot be tested using vacuum - based methods. 3. Applying vacuum in excess of the manufacturer's maximum recommended level may damage the spill bucket. Never apply vacuum exceeding the manufacturer's maximum recommended level. 4. Components within the spill bucket, such as the fill adapter, nipple, vapor recovery adapter, or drop tube should not be removed in order to perform the vacuum test. If the fill adapter, nipple, vapor recovery adapter, or drop tube are removed for testing or troubleshooting, or the spill bucket drain valve is fixed or replaced, a qualified technician must conduct drop tube and drain valve leak checks per ARB test procedure(s).