Containment Berms And What They Are

By Alyssa Riggs


Wherever trucks unloading industrial chemicals, containment berms can be found in use. These spill barriers are designed to keep any spillage of dangerous liquids from flowing into the environment. Made of chemical-resistant, heavy-duty materials, they are designed to comply with all EPA regulations made to prevent chemical spillage from damaging the environment.

The EPA, also known as the US Agency for Environmental Protection, has established standards for containment systems. That means the flooring underlying the drums or containers for the transfer of liquids must be made of high-grade material impervious to chemicals and acids. It must also be leak and crack free with sloping floor and walls that can contain any spills. It should be sufficient in size to contain 10 per cent of the total liquid volume being unloaded. In addition, there has to be a drainage system that can efficiently remove spills from the area.

Interestingly enough, these devices date back to the time of the Dutch and their dike-building. The term describes the sod mounds that Dutch farmers built to hold back the sea from spilling into their farmland. As time went on, these sod mounds became part of the natural terrain and looked a lot like the mounds and earth dwellings found in Middle Earth and made popular in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Modern-day berms work efficiently to prevent spillage when industrial fuels or acids are unloaded or loaded. Their base is made of heavy-duty materials that are tested and acid and fuel resistant. A wide variety of sizes and models have been designed capable of meeting all types of demands. Smaller models are often needed as regulations require trucking companies to equip each of their vehicles with a portable spillage device.

Generally, these devices are categorized as either portable or durable. The durable kind are most effective where there is a large volume of traffic involved in loading and unloading liquids on a regular basis. Portable models are highly adaptable and can easily be deployed or stored. Some models have interlocking sections which means that they can form bigger areas as needed.

One of the latest designs among the portable models features foam logs or sides. These allow vehicles to drive over them so that they retain their shape afterwards. The sides are made of foam and then covered with heavy duty material that is fuel resistant and designed for easy cleaning and repeated use. Sizes for the foam log type range from 62 gallons up to 1,885 gallons.

The drive-through portable model is also very popular. This unique feature makes it possible for the driver to enter without getting out of his truck. If a spill should take place, the sides will automatically inflate and prevent leakage. The heavy-duty, chemical resistant flooring can easily be cleaned and stored. This model has a size range from 140 gallons to 5,340 gallons.

Containment berms have proven to be one of the most efficient ways for industrial transfer of fuels and acids. By using these convenient devices, commercial companies can be assured that they are complying with all environmental safety standards. By adapting these as part of their best practices policy, companies can inspire customer trust and confidence.




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