secondary spill containment | Spill Containment Blog

What Is A Secondary Containment Tank?

June 23, 2023 by Travis Zdrazil

In industries where the storage and handling of hazardous substances are integral to daily operations, maintaining safety and compliance is paramount. One important aspect of this is the use of secondary containment tanks. These specialized structures provide an additional layer of protection by preventing leaks, spills, and releases that could harm the environment and endanger human health.

What Is A Secondary Containment Tank — *A secondary containment tank: a container within a container*

In this post, we’ll delve into the concept of secondary containment tanks, their purpose, benefits, and the relevant federal regulations businesses must adhere to. So, if you’re curious about why secondary containment for tanks or other large storage containers matters, read on!

Defining and Understanding the Purpose of Secondary Containment Tanks

A secondary containment tank is a structure or device designed to contain leaks, spills, and overflows that may occur within a primary storage vessel. It serves as a safeguard, providing an extra layer of protection and allowing for prompt response and cleanup in the event of a containment breach.

Should the primary storage container fail for any reason, then the tank also has a secondary barrier: think of a tank inside another tank. This design helps effectively contain hazardous substances to avoid potentially polluting the surrounding environment or harming people.

One example is a spill berm barrier around an above-ground storage tank that houses a petroleum product such as diesel fuel. If the storage tank encounters a puncture or other damage, the secondary tank will hold the spillage and prevent it from leaching into the surrounding location.

Regulations and Guidelines for Secondary Containment Tanks

To maintain safety and environmental compliance, businesses must adhere to federal regulations concerning secondary containment. Regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), set standards that businesses must adhere to when handling hazardous materials.

Businesses need to stay up to date with the latest regulations and guidelines governing the use of secondary containment tanks. Failure to comply with these standards can result in severe consequences, including fines, penalties, and legal liabilities. Some of the key regulations and guidelines governing the use of secondary containment tanks include:

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)

The EPA’s SPCC rule mandates that certain facilities, such as those with a large oil storage capacity, develop and implement spill prevention plans. Secondary containment tanks—such as double-walled tanks or berms—are a crucial element of these plans, helping prevent oil spills and releases into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. It is applicable for under- and above-ground storage tanks.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Under the RCRA, businesses that handle hazardous waste must meet specific requirements, including proper containment. Secondary containment tanks are essential for storing and handling hazardous waste materials, reducing the risk of spills or leaks that could harm human health or the environment.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

While OSHA does not specifically mandate secondary containment tanks, it requires employers to provide a safe workplace for their employees. Which includes specific guidelines for the storage and handling of hazardous materials.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The NFPA develops and publishes standards for fire protection and prevention. These standards include guidelines for the storage and handling of hazardous materials. NFPA standards often require the use of secondary containment tanks to mitigate the risk of fire and prevent the spread of hazardous materials. They provide specific requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of secondary containment systems.

Common Types of Secondary Containment Tanks

Secondary containment for a fuel tank — *A 275-gallon secondary containment tank*

Secondary containment tanks come in various types, each designed to meet specific requirements and industry standards. Your tank choice depends on factors such as the type of hazardous material being stored, the volume of storage, and the specific application.

The following list explains some of the common types of secondary containment systems:

Double-walled tanks

Double-walled tanks consist of an inner primary storage tank and an outer containment vessel. The space between the two walls acts as a secondary containment area in the event of a leak or spill. This design provides an extra layer of protection and allows for easy visual inspection of the containment area. Double-walled tanks are commonly used in industries that handle large volumes of hazardous materials, such as chemical plants and fuel storage facilities.

Berms and dikes

Berms and dikes are physical barriers constructed around storage areas to contain potential spills. They are often made of concrete, steel, or heavy-duty plastics and form a barrier that prevents hazardous materials from spreading. Berms and dikes are commonly used in industries that store liquids in bulk, such as oil refineries and chemical storage facilities. They are effective in containing spills and can be designed to accommodate specific storage volumes.

Spill containment pallets

Spill containment pallets are specialized platforms designed to hold drums, barrels, or containers. They are equipped with a sump or containment area that captures any leaks or spills, preventing them from spreading. Spill containment pallets are widely used in industries that handle smaller quantities of hazardous materials, such as laboratories and manufacturing facilities. They provide a cost-effective solution for containing spills in a compact and easy-to-maintain manner. See our previous post, 6 Pallets that Control Spills, to learn more.

Secondary Containment Tank Benefits

Secondary containment tanks offer numerous benefits to industries that handle hazardous materials. These benefits go beyond environmental compliance and extend to risk reduction, cost savings, and increased operational efficiency. Let’s explore some of the key advantages of utilizing secondary containment tanks:

1. Environmental Protection

Secondary containment tanks play a critical role in safeguarding the environment. By effectively containing hazardous substances due to spills or leaks, they minimize the risk of soil and groundwater contamination, protecting ecosystems and local water sources. This is particularly important for businesses handling oil, chemicals, fuels, and other potentially harmful substances.

2. Ensuring Human Health and Safety

By preventing accidental releases of hazardous materials, secondary containment tanks help ensure human health and safety. Unforeseen releases can lead to fires, explosions, or the release of toxic gases, endangering workers and nearby communities. By confining potential spills within a secondary containment system, businesses can mitigate these risks and ensure a safer working environment.

Employers must assess potential hazards, including the risk of spills or releases, and take appropriate measures to mitigate these risks. Secondary containment tanks are a recognized best practice for preventing and controlling spills in various industries.

3. Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency

Implementing secondary containment tanks can lead to significant cost savings for businesses. By preventing spills and leaks, companies avoid expensive cleanup operations, legal liabilities, and potential lawsuits or fines.

Moreover, secondary containment tanks allow for efficient monitoring and detection of leaks, enabling prompt response and mitigation measures. Including the potential to recover and re-use spilled materials. All of which helps to minimize downtime, prevent production interruptions, damage to infrastructure, and maintain operational efficiency.

Concluding Thoughts

Secondary containment tanks are indispensable for businesses that handle hazardous substances, providing additional protection against unforeseen events like spills and releases.

By complying with federal regulations, companies can prioritize safety, protect the environment, and prevent costly fines and penalties. The benefits of secondary containment tanks go beyond environmental compliance and extend to risk reduction, cost savings, and increased operational efficiency.

Contact AbsorbentsOnline today to learn more about secondary containment. We offer a wide range of containment tanks and spill response products to help your business meet regulatory requirements and maintain a safe workplace.

What Is Important For Spill Containment?

September 9, 2022 by Travis Zdrazil

Spill containment is a necessary and important responsibility for many businesses. Because spills happen every day. Due to accidents, breakages, leaks, or even negligence and intentional acts.

In the event of a spill, following best practices is essential to protect people and the environment. Particularly when the spill involves a hazardous material.

This article will explore some key concepts on what’s important for spill containment. Including an overview of spill response regulations and requirements that may apply in your workplace.

How Does Spill Containment Work?

Spill containment means stopping and preventing a spill from spreading. By confining water, chemical, or other hazardous liquids within a barrier or drainage area. Containing a spillage minimizes exposing people, plants, stormwater, the ground, and more to harm or hazardous materials.

This practice fits within a company’s spill response plan. Which details how to prevent, control, and clean up potential spills. Being especially important for facilities with hazardous chemicals that could spill and cause harm.

drum spill pallet — *^{A spill pallet offers a good solution for 55-gallon drum containment}*

Containment equipment includes things like spill containment berms, dikes, or drainage sumps. Tools such as absorbent booms or socks help deal with smaller spills.

Similarly, secondary containment systems offer a backup spill solution should a primary container or structure fail. For instance, a spill pallet or spill deck can capture the contents of a leaking 55-gallon drum or tote.

Why is Spill Containment Important?

We briefly introduced two reasons why spill containment matters so much: safeguarding people and the environment.

In short, spill containment helps protect your business—and bottom line—by avoiding any or all of the following:

Injury to personnel
Risk of fire or explosion due to flammable material spills
Loss of business and productivity
Land or water environmental pollution
Equipment and building damages
Resource and material wastage
Time and effort for costly cleaning and decontamination procedures
Fines for non-compliance with spill regulations.

Which Spill Containment Rules and Regulations Apply?

In the United States, multiple governing bodies work together to oversee spill regulations. We’ll focus on two of the major agencies:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule
Facility Response Plan (FRP) Rule

These two rules require facilities to meet certain criteria and have plans in place. For example, oil production sites as well as some agricultural, farming, and chemical plant operations.

Secondary containment is a requirement for sites using bulk storage containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or more. And a spill plan demonstrating an ability to respond to a worst-case scenario that may cause substantial harm. Worst-case being a failure of the largest container in or on the secondary containment device or structure.

All FRP facilities require an SPCC Plan, but not all SPCC facilities require an FRP. Each plan serves a slightly different purpose and therefore operates as a separate document. Although some sections may duplicate each other.

Refer to the EPA website to determine your facility’s spill control and prevention requirements:

For sites with underground storage tanks, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) laws may also apply. Under Title 40 of CFR parts 239 through 282.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

Anything spill-related to workplace employees falls under OSHA regulations.

Such as its Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER). Which aims to minimize spill responders’ exposure to hazardous waste that could affect their health or safety. For example, receiving a chemical burn due to a corrosive or acid spill.

OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2) requirement covers keeping workplace walking surfaces in a clean and dry condition. Because any liquid or oil spill coating a shop floor will quickly increase slip, trip, and fall risks.

Additionally, hazmat training programs are a must to educate employees on keeping themselves safe.

Implementing A Spill Plan

You’ve likely heard the expression that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Well, it’s no surprise that this saying extends to spills. So even if federal-level spill requirements don’t apply to your business, adopting a plan is an excellent best management practice.

The plan should cover everything from hazard identification and prevention, to personnel training and operating procedures, to spill response. Being the countermeasure resources you need to control, clean up, recover, or dispose of spillages.

Learn more in our post, Be Ready with a Job Hazard Analysis and Spill Response Plan.

Conclusion

In the workplace, spills can lead to serious business implications, including health hazards. Employees who come in contact with hazardous substances may get sick or slip over and injure themselves.

If you want to keep your business running smoothly, then you need to implement a spill plan. Make sure to keep the appropriate spill control supplies and containment solutions on hand. Because primary containers can and do fail.

Following best practice spill prevention and containment procedures will help minimize damages caused by any spill incident. Allowing your workplace to remain safe, healthy, and compliant.

If your facility needs sorbents, containment solutions, or advice, then contact us!

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a spill kit and a containment system?

Spill kits contain absorbent materials and other clean-up equipment. You use them to help remediate spilled liquids. Meaning the kit contents are usually for one-time use before disposal.

Whereas a secondary containment system is any barrier, structure, or device that will hold a volume of hazardous materials that may spill or leak. Such as a spill containment berm with a primary container like a tote or vehicle inside it. Typically, this equipment is reusable rather than disposable. In many cases secondary systems enable the recovery of spilled products, helping reduce waste (and costs!).

What is the best way to prevent a spill?

Have an emergency response and spill plan in place before any accidents happen.

Be careful when transferring hazardous liquids to avoid potential spills. Use DOT-approved safety cans to transport fuels and other combustibles. Deploy spill berms at fueling stations and when working on oily machinery.
Train workers on how to recognize and control hazards like chemical spills. Ensure they familiarize themselves with safety data sheets for any material kept on-site.
Store chemicals correctly to prevent the container from tipping or accidental damage. Be sure that all containers used for storing liquids are properly sealed.
Use spill decks or other appropriate containment systems with primary containers of 55 gallons or more.
Regularly inspect drums and other containers for signs of damage, cracks, or other wear.

What is the best way to contain and control a spill in the workplace?

First, know the type of spill you are dealing with, be it a hazardous chemical or an oil spill. Immediately communicate and notify necessary personnel.
Make sure spill responders have the right gear. From personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and goggles to sorbent pads.
Confine and control the spill. Use a dike or other tool to surround and create a barrier to prevent its spread. Use drain blockers or plugs to protect stormwater outlets.
Stop the source of the spill. If necessary, use emergency leak repair tools to plug and patch container holes.
Use spill kits with absorbent pads, socks, or granular materials to soak up the spilled liquid.
Clean and decontaminate the site as necessary. Then, safely dispose of spent materials following state and federal rules.

Foam wall spill berm — *_{Portable berms are a helpful tool for containing spills}*

What are the different types of spill containment?

Spill systems come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and use applications. Including spill berms, dikes, pallets, decks, and drainage sumps or plugs. Steel and polyethylene are two of the most common construction materials.

Steel is typically best for fuels, solvents, and other flammable liquids. Whereas high-density polyethylene (HDPE) provides excellent resistance to a variety of chemicals, including corrosives.

Absorbent socks and booms are often useful for handling smaller spills.

Portable Spill Containment Berms To Handle Your Emergency Needs

February 8, 2021 by Travis Zdrazil

How to choose the best secondary containment berms for spill prevention and control

A PVC pop-up pool offers portable convenience for emergency spill containment

Spills are always accidents. Which, by definition, means that you can’t control when and where they’re going to happen. If spills are bound to happen wherever you go, wouldn’t it be nice to have a berm handy wherever you go, too?

Well, we’ve got some great news for you — you can! There are several spill containment berms available designed with portability in mind. Whether you’re containing drips from commercial trucks or catching an emergency leak. There are plenty of berms out there that you can easily take wherever you might need them.

A portable containment berm doesn’t mean compromising on durability or capacity, either. For instance, berms are capable of handling small to large spills from 10 up to 7,000 gallons, or more. Which is essential for workplaces with large vehicles or containers like tankers and frac tanks. Importantly, these portable berms offer excellent durability. As well as being easy to clean up, store, and reuse.

What is a spill containment berm and why is it necessary?

A spill containment berm is a secondary containment solution that prevents hazardous liquid leaks from polluting soil and water. Essentially, a berm acts as a large basin to catch different types of harmful chemical spills.

Containment berms act as catch basins to prevent pollution-causing spills

Typically, spill berms uses are for temporary applications. Such as collecting hazmat liquids in decontamination stations, or truck washing decks. Or, emergency catch basins under vehicles and equipment during fueling or maintenance operations. Alternatively, they can replace spill pallets when storing oil drums or chemical containers.

Berms help with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) guideline compliance. Which requires workplaces to have a plan in place to contain a spill, to prevent the pollution of natural resources.

Spill berms come in many styles, materials, configurations, capacities, and footprint sizes. This ensures berms are able to accommodate a wide variety of containers and equipment in different use situations. For instance, smaller spill berms are capable of housing one or two 55-gallon drums. Meanwhile, the largest berms will handle spills from high-capacity containers or vehicles such as tanker trucks.

In short, containment berms are a great way to help meet your job site’s EPA and SPCC requirements. And therefore are popular for businesses that store or use large quantities of petroleum products.

With all that said, here are some common scenarios that may help you pick the right berm for your needs.

Small secondary containment berms

Scenario one: You need a small containment berm for an emergency fuel spill. Or, to contain liquids during short-term projects.

This folding portable containment berm features collapsible snap-up walls

For these situations, you may want to try one of the lightweight and portable spill berm models. Such as a Portable Drum Berm, which come in a variety of sizes up to 500 gallon spill capacity. Because these compact models use either snap-up or foam walls, they’re very quick and easy to set up and pack down.

Similarly, Emergency Pop Up Pools are lightweight, convenient, and resistant to chemicals. Thanks to their smaller size, economy models can fit into a convenient storage bag or cab-mount container. These spill berms are a great option for your on-the-go containment needs, with a capacity from 20 up to 400 gallons.

Spill prevention berms for temporary container storage

Scenario two: You require a spill containment product for temporarily storing frac tanks or other large totes.

Flexible sidewalls provide this berm with easy forklift and equipment access

Consider the Flexible Wall Containment Berm that easily unrolls and doesn’t require assembly. Its two-way hinge side walls ensure easy in/out access for vehicles or hand trucks. However, you may want to use heavy-duty ground mats or track mats to prevent tears or holes in the berm liner.

Available up to 66 feet long, this berm is ideal for containing even the largest frac tank spill. In addition, it’s a great choice for IBC tote storage. Best of all, this berm helps you comply with EPA Container Storage Regulation 40 CFR. That is to say, it can stop a container’s hazardous waste leak from entering the stormwater system, and prevent pollution.

Drive-in and through spill berms

Scenario three: You need a large containment berm for a truck. It must be able to be rapidly assembled by a single person.

The sidewalls of this drive-in berm rise automatically in the event of a spill

You’re probably looking for the Drive-Through Secondary Spill Containment Berm, which can be set up in minutes. Tanker trucks have easy access by driving the vehicle into the berm. If a spill happens, the low-profile walls rise automatically as the berm fills.

Other great options are the Throw N’ Go Secondary Spill Containment Berm and Self-Rising Containment Berm. These no-assembly berms’ walls also rise automatically as they fill up. In other words, simply unfold and they’re ready for use!

To increase the service life of these heavy-duty spill berms, an optional ground mat can help reduce vehicle tire wear and tear.

Larger containment solution berms

Scenario four: You’re looking for a more efficient way to contain large spills or leaks for trucks and other machinery.

A large and economical spill berm with almost 7,500-gallon size capacity

Look no further than the Spill Containment Berm Snap Up, which features sturdy collapsible sides and is easy to set up. Tie-down straps on the sides and corner grommets allow you to securely position this berm in place. The largest 54-foot-long model has more than 5,500-gallon capacity.

Or, the minimal setup Foam Wall Containment Berm has low-profile 2- or 4-inch wall heights with lengths up to 72 feet. Choose from either Copolymer-2000 or more affordable and lighter PVC liner materials.

Finally, try the Secondary Spill Containment Berm — this economical model is a top-seller! At 66 feet long, the largest model has a 7,406-gallon capacity. However, this berm does require some assembly using L-bracket wall supports. Therefore, it doesn’t offer quite the same level of convenience as some of the other single-piece models.

Have a different spill containment scenario in mind?

Don’t worry if the situations above don’t fit your specific containment needs, or if you even need a berm in a custom size. There are plenty of spill containment solutions and berm accessories available.

Absorbents Online is here to help!

We understand. No one wants to deal with a spill when they’re on the go. But having a portable spill containment berm can save you from a big mess. Or, even bigger consequences when it comes to non-compliance with spill regulations.

Talk to your spill containment and clean-up experts

Whether you’re traveling with a full-on commercial truck or transporting machinery, it’s always best to prepare by having a spill berm on hand. Then, once you’ve got a spill under control, be sure you also have plenty of the right hazardous waste absorbents for efficient cleaning.

Have questions about which spill containment products or absorbents are right for you? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or toll-free at (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publish date of May 12, 2015