What Is Containment For Chemicals?
Holding hazardous chemicals at work must be adequately contained to safeguard employees and the environment – this may include secondary containment systems. Typically the Interesting Info about oil containment.
Secondary spill containment provides an additional safeguard in case primary containers of your hazardous chemicals leak or spill, protecting from further release by providing other containment measures like berms, dikes, concrete walls, or spill decks. Some code-compliant chemical storage buildings even come equipped with built-in secondary spill containment sump protection to secure their contents further.
Concrete Containment Structures
Chemical containment was traditionally performed using large concrete basins surrounding primary storage tanks. Although this provided superior protection in case of an accidental spill, this solution was costly and cumbersome to install and difficult to relocate should storage needs change in any way. Furthermore, coating concrete with anti-corrosive materials added cost and time during its installation process; plus, it only lasts one use before recoating after another spill incident.
Code-compliant chemical storage buildings often include raised floors above their sump for easier cleaning and drainage. These may consist of galvanized steel 1-inch floor grating for chemicals with corrosion potential, fiberglass grids with non-slip surfaces, or polymer concrete. Furthermore, sump floors may feature sloped designs to help direct liquids toward their lowest point more rapidly and enter an alarm system quicker for rapid alerts.
For chemicals like sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid, which are both highly corrosive, we advise using more durable lining systems for concrete structures. These could include carbon-filler furan resin mortar/grouts, urethane or epoxy vinyl-ester concretes, and polymer concretes mixed and cast just like standard cement to offer excellent protection from chemical attacks and physical abuse.
Open-Top Tanks
Some industries, like plating and mining, employ highly harsh chemicals that must be safely stored. Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, and Boric Acid must be shielded from environmental threats while being easily accessible for processing purposes.
An open-top tank system is one of the most cost-effective solutions for storing these compounds. This solution significantly lowers upfront costs compared with concrete containment structures while enabling workers to access the required chemicals during processes. Furthermore, unlike concrete techniques, open-top tanks can be moved as needed to accommodate different production needs without risking damage to their primary container.
Containment basins can also help contain chemicals. These solutions can store various liquids – acids and caustics alike – while helping to lower disposal costs in case of chemical leakage or spills.
Whatever chemical storage system you select must match well with the stored chemicals. A suitable containment system ensures any accidental leakages don’t pollute other areas or pose safety risks to employees – not to mention compliance with OSHA and local state safety requirements. If in doubt about what would work best for your business, seek professional guidance before making your choice.
Portable Secondary Containment Platforms
Based on your storage of chemicals, facility, and environmental conditions, an enclosed containment system may be necessary to prevent the leakage of hazardous substances into the environment and save money and lives. A proper containment solution will protect against expensive equipment damage or property loss while keeping employees safe. The right system could help save costs through reduced equipment breakdown, replacement, and lost materials or employee injuries.
Containment solutions range from simple containers, drip pans, or zip lock bags to more complex concrete berms, bunds, or pallets. Some products even expand when necessary to accommodate larger volumes of liquids and chemicals – perfect for emergency response situations.
If you store hazardous chemicals or fuel in drums and IBC tanks, protecting them from environmental damage caused by accidental spills and leaks is of utmost importance. Drum and IBC spill pallets provide an environmental safeguard with sump capacities that exceed state requirements; their materials include polyethylene, fluorinated polyethylene, or steel, depending on temperature variations or chemical content, to provide maximum flexibility in response.
Fuel tank containment solutions are now more accessible and straightforward than ever, offering fast assembly and surface-mounted setup. One option available for fuel tank containment is a lightweight bladder dike like the EPA-compliant Poly Dike MPE that’s portable yet lightweight; no special tools or heavy equipment is needed to assemble or take down this containment system’s angled walls and keep fluids inside, preventing fuel loss; plus this solution takes up less space than a concrete berm system!
SAFE-Tank
SAFE-Tanks (double-wall or secondary containment tanks) provide a safer alternative to concrete containment structures and other tank options with their built-in safeguard against serious chemical spills and hazards, making them suitable for storing caustic chemicals or reactants in multiple businesses and industries.
Chemical plants are particularly prone to chemical spills and leaks due to the large amounts of chemicals they utilize, so both EPA and OSHA regulations mandate that these facilities implement secondary spill containment measures in case their primary container fails or experiences an accident, thus mitigating hazardous chemical emissions into the environment.
Your choice of container for secondary containment systems depends on the nature and composition of the chemicals stored, their interactions with different materials, and the potential impact of leakage on the environment and employees.
Poly Processing’s SAFE-Tank system offers an effective and affordable way to mitigate such problems. Comprised of a primary tank surrounded by secondary containment systems, this solution keeps chemicals from seeping into interstitial spaces or damaging walls due to higher temperatures (such as sulfuric acid). Furthermore, this “tank-within-a-tank” solution eliminates concrete berms or other costly secondary containment solutions and their attendant costs.
Read Also: 5 Stellar Reasons To Opt For A Stamped Concrete Contractor For Patios In Arkansas