Leak Detection Training

Lesson 1 • Leak Rate Units and Measurement Concepts

Introduces standard leak rate units and conversion methods used across industries. Provides the quantitative language needed for all subsequent detection and reporting tasks.

Lesson 2 • Overview of Leak Detection Methods

Surveys the major families of detection techniques without deep technical detail. Orients students to the decision landscape they will navigate throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • What Leaks Are and Why They Matter

Defines leaks at the molecular and macro level and links leak events to safety, environmental, and economic consequences. Establishes the motivation for systematic detection programmes.

Lesson 4 • Common Leak Sources in Industrial Systems

Identifies the most frequent failure points in piping, vessels, valves, and fittings. Helps students prioritise inspection locations during field surveys.

Lesson 1 • Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Details liquid-filled pressure testing for pipelines and vessels, including setup, pressurisation, and hold-period evaluation. Addresses safety precautions unique to high-pressure liquid tests.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Pressure Decay Testing

Explains how pressure loss over time reveals leak presence and magnitude. Establishes the theoretical basis for all pressure-based quantitative tests.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting and Reporting Test Results

Translates raw pressure data into actionable leak rate values and formal test reports. Builds the documentation skills required for regulatory and quality compliance.

Lesson 4 • Pressure Rise Testing in Vacuum Systems

Covers the inverse of pressure decay for evacuated systems, where rising pressure indicates leakage. Connects vacuum physics to practical test execution.

Lesson 1 • Tracer Gas Selection and Properties

Compares helium, hydrogen, and refrigerant tracers on sensitivity, safety, and cost. Guides students to match tracer choice to application constraints.

Lesson 2 • Tracer Gas Test Procedures

Provides step-by-step procedures for hood, bombing, and sniffer tracer tests. Connects procedural discipline to measurement accuracy and repeatability.

Lesson 3 • Sensitivity Limits and Error Sources

Identifies factors that degrade tracer gas measurement accuracy, including wind, temperature, and instrument drift. Teaches corrective actions to maintain reliable results.

Lesson 4 • Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection

Covers the operating principles of mass spectrometer leak detectors and their calibration. Teaches both sniffer and vacuum-mode test configurations.

Lesson 1 • Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Introduces continuous acoustic emission monitoring for pipelines and storage tanks. Distinguishes leak signals from mechanical noise and corrosion events.

Lesson 2 • Scanning Techniques for Leak Location

Teaches systematic scanning patterns for locating leaks in pipes, vessels, and compressed air systems. Emphasises probe distance, angle, and movement speed for reliable results.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting Acoustic Data

Develops skills for analysing waveform data, spectral plots, and trend charts from acoustic instruments. Connects data patterns to leak severity and location confidence.

Lesson 4 • Sound Generation by Leaks

Explains how turbulent flow through a leak orifice generates broadband acoustic energy. Links acoustic frequency content to leak size and pressure differential.

Lesson 1 • Visual Inspection Fundamentals

Establishes systematic visual inspection protocols for identifying staining, corrosion, and wet spots indicating leaks. Covers lighting, magnification, and documentation tools.

Lesson 2 • Soap Bubble and Liquid Film Testing

Covers formulation and application of bubble solutions for pressurised system leak location. Addresses limitations in cold, windy, or high-pressure environments.

Lesson 3 • Combining Visual Methods with Other Techniques

Demonstrates how visual and dye methods complement pressure and tracer gas tests for confirmation. Builds a multi-method workflow for complex leak scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Dye Penetrant Leak Testing

Teaches the full dye penetrant process from surface preparation through developer application and interpretation. Links penetrant sensitivity levels to leak size detectability.

Lesson 1 • Portable Electronic Detector Operation

Teaches bump testing, calibration, and field survey techniques for handheld gas detectors. Emphasises safe operating practices in confined and hazardous areas.

Lesson 2 • Infrared Gas Detection Technology

Covers non-dispersive infrared and optical gas imaging principles for hydrocarbon and CO2 leak detection. Teaches camera operation, image interpretation, and distance limitations.

Lesson 3 • Fixed Gas Detection System Design

Addresses sensor placement strategy, wiring, and control panel integration for permanent monitoring installations. Connects system design to hazard zone mapping and response planning.

Lesson 4 • Data Logging and Alarm Management

Covers electronic data logging, alarm threshold configuration, and event review for fixed and portable systems. Builds skills for trend analysis and false alarm reduction.

Lesson 1 • Ground Microphone and Listening Rod Techniques

Teaches the use of ground microphones and listening rods to detect and localise leak noise in buried pipes. Covers survey patterns and signal interpretation in noisy environments.

Lesson 2 • Challenges of Underground Leak Detection

Identifies factors that complicate underground leak location, including soil type, pipe material, and depth. Sets realistic expectations for detection sensitivity in buried systems.

Lesson 3 • Tracer Gas Injection for Underground Systems

Covers injection of tracer gases into buried pipelines and surface scanning to locate leak emergence points. Addresses soil permeability effects on tracer migration.

Lesson 4 • Flow Balance and District Metering

Introduces flow balance analysis and district metering areas as tools for quantifying network losses. Connects meter data to leak detection programme prioritisation.

Lesson 1 • Repair Prioritisation and Tracking

Establishes criteria for classifying leak severity and setting repair timelines. Teaches work order creation, repair verification, and delay justification documentation.

Lesson 2 • Programme Performance Metrics and Improvement

Defines key performance indicators for LDAR programmes and methods for tracking improvement over time. Builds a continuous improvement cycle using inspection and repair data.

Lesson 3 • Leak Detection and Repair Programme Design

Guides students through building a structured LDAR programme including component inventory, method assignment, and scheduling. Links programme design to risk-based prioritisation.

Lesson 4 • Regulatory and Compliance Framework

Surveys the functional requirements of leak detection regulations across oil, gas, and industrial sectors. Establishes the compliance obligations that shape programme design decisions.