California ICC UST Service Technician Practice Exam

If automatic line leak detectors fail testing, what action must be taken?

1. They must be recalibrated

2. They must be replaced

3. They should be left untested

4. They must be serviced every six months

The correct answer is: They must be replaced

When automatic line leak detectors fail testing, the required course of action is to replace them. This is critical for maintaining the safety and integrity of underground storage tank systems. Automatic line leak detectors are designed to continuously monitor for leaks in the piping of UST systems. If they fail, it indicates that they can no longer reliably detect leaks, which poses a risk of environmental contamination and regulatory non-compliance. Replacing the defective equipment ensures that the tank system remains compliant with local regulations and protects the environment by preventing potential leaks from going undetected. This proactive measure helps in maintaining the safety of fuel storage operations and upholding public safety standards. The other options do not address the need for immediate action following a failure in a way that ensures safety and compliance. For instance, recalibration may be applicable in other contexts but would not resolve a critical failure in functionality. Servicing every six months does not address immediate failures either, and leaving leak detectors untested could lead to serious consequences should a leak occur undetected. Hence, replacement is the only viable option when a leak detection system fails its testing.