Smoke Testing Our Sewer Systems

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Smoke Testing Our Sewer Systems
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Why Do We Test Our Sewer Systems?
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Why Do We Test Our Sewer Systems?

• To find the source of an inflow or infiltration
  problem! Smoke testing is used to find leaks and
  illegal connections to sewer lines. It is used to
  find abandoned sewer lines not previously
  surveyed.

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Why Is This Important?

• It helps resolve service interruptions and
  customer complaints.
• Infiltration and inflow may seriously affect the
  efficiency of the wastewater treatment system and
  may significantly increase operating expenses.

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Examples Of This Impact Are

• The processing of water that does not require
  treatment. Ground water and storm water are
  examples of this.

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Examples Of This Impact Are

• Pump stations handling large volumes of water.
  Pump Stations can overload and backup.

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Examples Of This Impact Are

• Decreased sewer capacity and increased sewer
  cleaning. Roots and soil can enter pipes through
  cracks.

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Examples Of This Impact Are

• Equipment wear due to soil deposits moving
  through the treatment plant.

Premature wear on moving parts.
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Why Smoketesting?
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Why Smoke Testing?

• Smoke testing is the most efficient and cost
  effective way to locate and identify these inflow
  and infiltration problems.
• TV inspection can only identify these problems
  when water tables are high or there has been a
  recent rain or melt.

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Do You Know What Kind Of Smoke Youre Using
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Do You Know Your Smoke?

• Some smoke products contain Zinc Chloride, a
  toxic compound. Even though using Zinc Chloride
  is not illegal, exposures exceeding the OSHA
  Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) can be dangerous
  and life threatening.

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Do You Know Your Smoke?

• Persons who are using smoke containing Zinc
  Chloride are advised to wear a respirator if the
  possibility of exceeding the OSHA PEL exists.
• Since smoke can enter buildings and homes,
  special care should be taken to warn residents of
  the dangers of Zinc Chloride smoke. A disabled
  person, or a person who may be sleeping and
  unable to evacuate a building promptly, could
  easily be at risk of overexposure.

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Do You Know Your Smoke?

• Always keep a copy of the MSDS sheet and any
  documentation pertaining to the smoke. If a
  medical emergency occurs, you will need this
  information for the attending physicians or
  paramedics.

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• HURCO has MSDS sheets and Test Data for its
  LiquiSmoke. All tests are conclusive, LiquiSmoke
  is laboratory-tested safe. It contains no harmful
  products.
• HURCO also has a NIOSH report on the dangers of
  Zinc Chloride.
• Copies of these reports are available in the
  Download Center of our website www.gethurco.com

LiquiSmoke...Laboratory Tested SAFE Leaves No
Residue
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What Are Some Factors For Implementing the
Program?
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What Are Some Factors Responsible For
Implementing A Smoke Testing Program?

• The age and construction materials of the
  collections system. Many sanitary systems are 50
  to 100 years old and are constructed of poor
  materials. Decay and roots have caused many
  breaks that permit excessive infiltration during
  wet periods.

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• The presence of undesired storm water
  connections. There are many other sources of
  water as well. Abandoned and uncapped sanitary
  connections and variety of storm water
  connections including catch basins, basement and
  yard drains, combined sewers, cross connections
  from storm sewers, foundation drains and roof
  down spouts.

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What Are the Procedures to Follow When Preparing
to Smoke Test?
An area is chosen for smoke testing using
several criteria.

• Future street overlay
• An area where infiltration is suspected
• Areas with obvious sewer gas odors
• Areas with rat or rodent problems

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• Overlay areas are selected a year in advance,
  thus giving you time to do your smoke test and
  repair any lines that may be damaged.

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• You may notice areas where flow seems high
  considering the number of connections to the
  sewer line. You will have significant increase in
  flow after a rain storm or melt. Sewage may be
  backing up into buildings after a rain.

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• Sewer gases are dangerous! A few of these gases
  have no odor and present the most serious problem
  because they can enter a home undetected. These
  gases can cause anything from minor illness to
  death. The gas odor that most people associate
  with sewer gas is Hydrogen Sulfide.

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• If you start noticing an increase of rodents in
  an area that normally does not have a problem,
  there may be a broken sewer line in that area.
  Smoke testing will usually find the broken line.

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Public Awareness
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NEWS FLASH !!!

• DIRECT CONTACT
• - Letter
• - Door Hangers

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CAUTION Property Owners of the Smoke Test

• Get a list of all property owners and mail a
  CAUTION letter 2 weeks in advance. Two weeks will
  allow anyone with health problems or questions
  time to contact you so you can arrange your
  schedule to accommodate them. Keep the
  information simple and to the point. Include the
  following points

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CAUTION (continued)

• What day you will be doing the test.
• Why you are doing the test.
• What precautions they can take to prevent smoke
  from entering their home or business such as
  pouring water into all drains and traps.
• Warn them of what they need to do if smoke should
  enter their building and warn them of any health
  concerns.

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CAUTION (continued)

• Give them a special number they can call and warn
  you of special concerns such as health problems.
• Remind them that the smoke entering their
  building is their friend. If smoke is entering
  their home or business, DANGEROUS gases could be
  entering as well.

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NEWS FLASH !!!

• DIRECT CONTACT TELEVISION
• NEWSPAPER
• RADIO

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CAUTION (continued)

• Do a news release on local television, radio, and
  in your local newspaper. A news release and smoke
  testing CAUTION letter is sent out to the media
  and other officials to let them know your plans.
  This is usually done one week in advance. The
  news release should include the days and exact
  locations, why you are doing the test and where
  they can expect to see smoke. List your phone
  numbers for questions. Do not try to give too
  much information in your news flash, your letter
  will cover the details. This is just a reminder.

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CAUTION (continued)

• On the day of the test, call 911 in case of any
  panic calls due to the smoke. Even with all of
  your preparation, you will undoubtedly get a
  panic call sooner or later. The emergency
  personnel in your area need to be aware of this
  so they can sort a panic call from a real
  emergency.

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Preparing for the Smoke Test
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What Type of Equipment is Needed to Smoke Test?

• A portable air/smoke blower with a capacity of
  2000 to 4000 CFM at 3.00 static pressure.
• Higher cfm and pressure ratings may be necessary
  on larger diameter lines.

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Make Maps to Use in the Field
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MAPS (continued)

• Mark an aerial map with sewer lines and manholes
  to be tested. This map will show you all the
  buildings and streets. Draw the location of the
  sanitary sewer manholes on this map so you know
  where they are. Also determine which manholes you
  want to smoke and circle them. You do not need
  details such as measurements on this map. This
  map should serve as a quick reference to
  determine what sections will be tested and where
  you will set up.

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MAPS (continued)

• A sanitary sewer location map with measurements
  and locations. This map will show where the
  manholes are and which direction the lines flow.
  It will also show you whether there are other
  lines such as force mains or lamp holes, etc.
  Usually this map also helps with street names,
  addresses and the overall area sanitary picture.
  This is an excellent map to include your notes
  on. Remember! Good notes will prevent delays on
  the job.

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MAPS (continued)
What kind of notes?

• Notes on property owners with special
  requirements such as health concerns. These
  people are usually very sensitive to anything
  that may bring on stress. Smoke can cause panic
  and stress to an unsuspecting individual,
  especially someone with health problems.

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MAPS (continued)

• Busy intersections to avoid. You will have busy
  intersections you want to avoid. Creating a
  detour or closed intersection will upset some
  drivers causing dangerous situations.

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MAPS (continued)

• Manholes to be used in the test. More than
  likely, you will have already marked these
  manholes on your map, but identify them with a
  manhole number that will tie them to an existing
  As-Built Drawing.
• Example MH106 to MH108 on Prairie Street north
  of 18th Street. (Printed manhole locations can be
  highlighted.)

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MAPS (continued)

• Note the location of failures as you do your
  test. Special notes showing where smoke is coming
  from will make repair work proceed smoothly. Note
  the address, measurements from a fixed object
  such as the corner of a house, a tree or
  something not likely to be moved before the
  repair can be done.

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Assemble the Field Crew

• A field crew should consist of a minimum of two
  people. (If you choose to use smoke bombs, you
  will need an additional person to watch the
  smoke blower.)

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Smoketesting Procedures

• When using LiquiSmoke, it is not necessary to
  monitor the smoke machine. The smoke will run
  continuously, you control the time you want it to
  run. Typically, you will leave the smoke run
  until the crew has had ample time to do a
  thorough inspection. Dont rush, minor leaks can
  be overlooked. Using LiquiSmoke will cut your
  labor cost.

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Steps For Smoketesting
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Watch for smoke coming out of roof vents
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Double check procedure
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Double check procedure
Identify two block area to conduct smoke testing.
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Double check procedure
Place smoke generator in mainhole central to
testing area.
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Double check procedure
x
Worker 1 starting position.
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Double check procedure
x
Worker 1 checks neighborhood working clockwise.
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Double check procedure
x
x
Worker 2 starting position.
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Double check procedure
x
x
Worker 2 checks neighborhood working counter
clockwise. Workers overlap, double checking
neighborhood.
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Procedures Capture Images

• Video Cameras and Still Digital Cameras will make
  your job easier. Capture images of the smoke leak
  and the address on the house or building. The
  video or picture will help you pinpoint the
  problem along with your measurements. It will
  also give you some idea of how bad the leak is.
• Be sure to keep good notes of where the leak can
  be found.

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Process the Data Accumulated in the Field

• Create a file for your maps and notes, or use
  appropriate data collection software.
• Create a list of problem spots.
• Notify property owners that have a problem.

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Notify the Property Owners

• Send a letter to all property owners who need to
  repair a service. Give them all the information
  they need to do the repair such as permits
  required, repair methods and a list of licensed
  contractors.
• Always do a follow up inspection. Set a time
  limit.

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Special Notes

• Always try to test your sewer lines when water
  tables are low and on dry days.
• Allow smoke to run long enough so crew members
  can get accurate results and notes.
• Blocking or bypassing a sewer line should not be
  necessary except when isolation is important.

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Special Notes

• Remember! Sewer gases are dangerous. Use all
  precautions when entering a manhole and warn
  property owners that the presence of smoke can
  mean the presence of those gases.
• If using smoke with Zinc Chloride, be aware of
  the dangers and precautions that need to be taken.

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Special Notes

• Check with your insurance provider

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