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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/Fall 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 httpoHwww.waterboards .ca.gov/ust/forms/. UST a Some local UST regulatory agencies may prohibit the use of fuel as test fluid in spill buckets, especially direct-bury. i 3 t