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LG 166 - GUIDELINES FOR TESTING SPILL BUCKETS Enclosure 1 B. Hydrostatic Methods 1) Standard Lake Test - A standard lake test for spill buckets is easy to perform and requires no special equipment. The test is performed by filling the spill bucket with test fluid and observing the fluid level over time. Any drop in fluid level is an indication that the spill bucket may be leaking. Recommended procedures for a standard lake test are as follows: a) Test Duration and Fluid - A lake test of at least one hour is recommended. Water with a small amount (a few drops) of common soap or detergent (such as `Dawn') is the recommended testing fluid. Adding a small amount of soap to the water reduces surface tension, making the test fluid properties more similar to fuel. Use of fuel as a test fluid may pose a fire and safety hazard, and increase the probability of an unauthorized release in the event of spill bucket failure. Therefore, it is not recommended, especially for testing of direct -bury spill buckets.4 b) Test Fluid Level - It is our understanding that spill buckets commonly fail at the upper sealing area, around the joint(s) where two or more parts of the spill bucket assembly come together. Therefore, it is important to test as much of the spill bucket volume as is possible. The test fluid should cover the top joint, and be no less than 1.5 inches below the top of the spill bucket, regardless of the spill bucket's capacity. This level will typically be above the fill cap, meaning that a leaking cap will result in a failed test. Technicians should inspect the cap and gasket, and repair or replace defective parts prior to adding test fluid. A tape measure or other measuring device should be used to measure the level of test fluid at the start of the test and again at the end of the test. c) Test Pass/Fail Criteria - Any observable decrease in test fluid level during the test should be declared a failure. This includes test fluid loss caused by a failed spill bucket drain valve. Even if a failed drain valve is leaking test fluid into the UST rather than to the environment, it may adversely affect performance of the UST vapor recovery system and be a source of vapor releases from the UST. Therefore, failed drain valves should be promptly repaired and the spill bucket re -tested. 2) Accelerated Precision Hydrostatic Test - Hydrostatic tests of less than one hour can be used if they are at least as sensitive as the procedures described above in part B(1). To achieve the same sensitivity as the one-hour lake test in less time, accelerated hydrostatic tests require the use of precision measuring equipment. This specialized measurement equipment should only be used by a qualified service technician who has been trained in the proper use of the equipment. Accelerated hydrostatic testing should use the same test fluid and test at least the same volume of the spill bucket as discussed in part B(1). The test duration and pass/fail criteria should be made by the manufacturer of the measurement equipment, based on the sensitivity of the equipment. More sensitive equipment allows for shorter test duration. However, pass/fail criteria should not be less stringent than those prescribed for the one-hour lake test in part II, section B(1). Part III: Reporting of Test Results Spill bucket test results should be recorded on the enclosed `Spill Bucket Testing Report Form" or, if testing is done at the time of secondary containment testing, in Section 9 of the `Secondary Containment Testing Report Form." These forms can be found at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ust/forms/. UST 4 Some local UST regulatory agencies may prohibit the use of fuel as test fluid in spill buckets, especially direct -bury.