Mesa 2D FAQs

We designed this system based on our own field experience. The Mesa system was not just a theoretical concept by some engineer. It was designed by a company that actually performs these tests every day. We depend on these systems and have engineered them to be cost effective, highly precise, and have little or no down time. Knowing each little nuance and every outside factor that affects testing, we built Mesa to be environmentally versatile and physically dependable.

The Mesa system utilizes digital technology to transform and analyze acoustical signals at the source. The Mesa system consists of a sonde placed in the ullage portion of the underground tank, connected to a computer that digitally records the sounds in the underground tank. A computer analysis program processes the digital signals from the sonde to determine if a leak is present in the system. The ACT V1 Water Sensor is designed to detect water entering the tank system. The use of the water sensor is required when any portion of the tank is submerged in water, as the water will mask the acoustical signals. The Mesa sonde and ACT V1 Water Sensor are completely compatible and work as one unit. This removes the problem of having to perform a separate test for water intrusion, saving time and money.

The Mesa system uses the safest protocols on the market. Under normal testing conditions, a maximum pressure of 60 inches of water vacuum or -2.16 psig must be used for testing underground tanks. The maximum is based on a tank differential pressure of no more than 4 psi to prevent any possible damage to tanks under test. The Mesa system will automatically calculate pressure adjustments for interior levels of product as well as exterior water levels to ensure both accuracy of testing and protection of the tank.

The Mesa system has no minimum fuel requirements. Tanks that range between completely empty and filled to 90.6% capacity can be tested.

Mesa 2D can test both underground storage tanks and aboveground storage tanks. Tanks as large as 30,000 gallons can be tested.

Unlike other systems on the market, there are no licensing requirements for use of the Mesa 2D system. You purchase the equipment, you own the equipment. We do not tack on additional charges for monthly fees, nor do we charge you for every report you generate.

Yes, EPA mandates that all operators of tank testing equipment be certified on the system they are using. To obtain certification, you can train at our facility in Sparta, NJ or we can arrange to have a field trainer come to your location. We have trained clients in 17 countries to date.

Certifications are valid for 2 years. Re-certification requires testing every 2 years however no physical re-training is required unless the test cannot be passed by the operator. This could always change if the US EPA changes regulations.

The Mesa 2D and the ACT VI equipment are both independently 3rd party certified by Ken Wilcox Associates. It is EPA approved and is listed in the National Work Group as a certified test. Most countries accept this listing for determining acceptable test methods. Copies of both certifications will be provided upon request.

The Mesa system does not require any factory re-calibration. That translates to less downtime and substantial savings over other systems that require yearly shipment back to the manufacturer for calibration. This can cost you at least a week of lost revenue and the cost of re-calibration can exceed $1,000 per year.

The Mesa system is extremely versatile and accurate in a multitude of test environments because it is non-volumetric. Unlike other tank test systems, the Mesa system is not affected by wind, temperature fluctuations, or high and low pressure systems.

No wait time at all! There is absolutely no wait time after fuel deliveries. That means you will not have to sit around wasting time and money or reschedule jobs because of a recent fuel drop. As the fuel truck pulls away, your test can begin!

The Mesa system will generate results in a matter of minutes, dramatically increasing operational efficiency. The acoustical test can be performed in less than ten minutes. Some systems have to sit in the tank for 60 to 90 minutes per test. Not so with the Mesa test; in 90 minutes you are at another location completing another job!

The Mesa unit was designed using solid state digital technology and does not contain mechanical moving parts that require periodic replacement for wear and tear. This will drastically reduce the cost and downtime for product repairs and maintenance.

No. Not only can you easily replace the microphone in the field, it’s only of fraction of the cost of the other systems of this type. Keep a spare on your truck and don’t miss a single job.

All Mesa 2-D field data is interpreted by a computer analysis program which determines whether the system fails or passes leak testing standards. With Mesa, a clear concise graph is charted and can be printed and made available as a matter of record in addition to a clear concise report of your entire inspection. There are no manual reports to write out and results are immediately available to your clients.

Yes. The report form and all calculations can be converted to metric units with a simple click of a button. You can simply toggle between the two standards as needed.

The water sensor is only used if there are exterior water levels at or above the base of the tank. When the water sensor is used, is water required to be added the tank for an initial reference? The water sensor requires a conductive liquid of a minimum height of 0.014 inches (.036 cm) measured from the base of the tank. If the tank does not contain any water than 0.014 inches of water must be added.

Other acoustical tank test systems are far less sophisticated and solely rely on a technician listening for leaks in the tank through a microphone and earphones. Using physical hearing to determine whether a tank passes or fails is susceptible to operator error. In addition, the acoustical sound produced by a leak may be out of the human hearing range. With Mesa, the computer will analyze all acoustical data and determine if the tank is leaking.

The vacuum pump is a multi stage venturi and does not require any electrical power. It is able to evacuate at a rate of 17.0 cu/ft per minute.

The only power this equipment requires is the battery in your laptop. The MESA system does not require any direct power source. The use of the venturi vacuum eliminates electrical requirements needed on other systems to operate the pumps. If your laptop is charged up and ready to go, you can test anywhere any time; no noisy generators or miles or extension cord required.

One of the biggest differences is that Mesa is a single test. Competitor’s equipment requires that the liquid portion of the tank be evaluated as a stand alone followed by a test of the ullage space. Mesa test both at the same time. Also, Our system is the only one available that will automatically calculate pressure adjustments for interior levels of product as well as exterior water levels to ensure both accuracy of testing and protection of the tank. Another big advantage of the Mesa 2D system is that all field data is interpreted by a computer analysis program, which determines whether the system fails or passes leak testing standards. With Mesa, a clear concise graph is charted and can be printed on-site and made available as a matter of record in addition to a clear concise report of your entire inspection. The Mesa test time is less than 10 minutes once the tank is at test pressure; whereas the other’s tests take 1.5 hours to as long as 3 hours.