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Fuel trucks can pose environmental threats when refueling or providing fuel to site locations. Both can cause safety hazards in the event of a spill or leak. Basic Concepts’ spill berms provide users with fuel tank containment solutions while transferring fuel.
The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® is designed for heavy-duty equipment, including fuel trucks and oil barrels. Fuel containment berms are designed to provide superior spill protection for vehicles when parked inside the berm. Patented technology allows vehicles to enter and exit the berm with ease. No assembly is required; simply position and drive equipment over it. The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® offers heavy-duty construction for long-term fuel tank containment. These containment berms are portable and offer durable construction.
The Rigid-Lock Quickberm Lite is perfect for emergency spills or preventing leaks when fueling trucks or other containers. Designed specifically for emergency spill response, the light weight berm can be thrown in work vehicles or carried by hand on the job site.
What Kinds of Spills and Leaks Can the Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® Help With for Fuel Tank Containment?
In any industry dealing with potential hazardous, toxic, or polluting materials, there is a risk of leaks and spills — especially when filling oil tanker containers or refueling without proper fuel tank containment.
Compatible with hydrocarbons (and a wide range of other chemicals), BCI’s single-piece construction spill berms offer peace of mind and durability, making them ideal for fuel tank containment, preventing leaks, and managing emergency spills. And, since the Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® has supports that are built into the walls themselves, you get the maximum usable containment sump area and the smallest working footprint possible.
Simply placing the container to be filled inside the berm before filling ensures proper fuel tank containment and provides your worksite the secondary containment needed to keep workers safe and meet (and in some cases exceed) state and federal EPA guidelines.
When refueling vehicles or refilling tanks, using fuel containment berms can provide spill protection for equipment parked inside. The flexible, durable, PVC-coated geomembrane liner is designed and engineered to be driven on. Just lower the support and drive onto the berm surface.
Fuel Spill Containment Solutions for Diesel and More
The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® from BCI is a versatile spill containment solution designed to handle a variety of spills and leaks, including those involving fuels such as diesel. BCI offers a range of containment options tailored to meet specific needs, ensuring compliance with EPA secondary containment requirements. These requirements mandate that containment systems hold up to 110% of the primary container’s volume to prevent environmental contamination effectively.
The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® is equipped with durable vinyl liners that provide enhanced resistance to chemicals and spills, making it ideal for managing leaks from storage tanks, drums, and other containers. This added chemical resistance ensures the berm can safely handle a wide array of hazardous materials, from hydrocarbons to industrial chemicals.
How Leaks and Spills Impact People and the Environment
Mitigating risk to people and the environment is a major reason to make sure you have the right equipment on each job site.
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers exposed to oil spills may come in contact with “carcinogenic volatile aromatic compounds like benzene, toluene, and naphthalene.” These compounds can negatively affect the long-term health of workers that are exposed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that VOC related to oil spills are acutely toxic if inhaled and may cause cancer.
These effects are not just for workers in the oil and gas sector. Anyone refilling oil drums (or other containers), trucks, tankers, or other machinery can be affected by the dangers of spilled or leaking oil.
The environment can also be put at risk if oil or other job site materials are spilled or improperly stored. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that while pesticides are a part of protecting food and crops, they can be poisonous “when not used and/or stored properly.”
EPA conducts and supervises investigation and cleanup actions at sites where oil or hazardous chemicals have been or may be released into the environment
The Role of Vinyl Liners in Spill Containment
Mitigating risk to people and the environment is a major reason to make sure you have the right equipment on each job site. Leaks and spills can have devastating effects on both people and the environment, contaminating soil, water sources, and air, while posing significant health risks to those exposed to hazardous materials. Effective containment is critical to mitigate these impacts, and having chemical-resistant spill containment solutions plays a pivotal role in achieving this.
The PVC-coated fabric on the Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® has exceptional chemical-resistant properties, forming a durable barrier against fuels, chemicals, and other hazardous substances. Our PVC-coated fabric ensures the integrity of containment systems, preventing leaks from spreading and causing environmental damage. These solutions not only protect ecosystems and human health but also help industries comply with environmental regulations, ensuring safe and sustainable operations.
What Are the Consequences of Not Using Berms for Fuel Tank Containment and Spill Control?
Aside from potential harm to people and the environment, several regulations mandate the use of fuel tank containment measures and other protective equipment. Regulations like the EPA's Clean Water Act and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) help keep the environment and people safe from exposure to toxic or hazardous materials. Each state is also able to regulate its own environmental standards for critical resources like clean water.
According to the EPA, “Many of the nation’s environmental statutes contain both civil and criminal revisions to address pollution violations.”
Civil enforcement like fines or other kinds of penalties like clean-up programs can be used to correct violations or improve the environment where infractions occur. If a criminal case is brought and the defendant pleads guilty, they may face fines, restitution, or incarceration.
Running afoul of the federal or state EPA can be costly in both dollars and reputation.
In 2018, a Connecticut charter bus company was fined a $4,700 penalty and forced to address violations of regulations after the EPA found the bus company “did not have an adequate oil spill prevention control and countermeasure plan.”
That same year, the EPA fined a logging company in Maine after their “fuel delivery company overfilled an above-ground storage tank, highlighting the need for fuel tank containment to prevent spills from reaching nearby streams.
The EPA notes that the logging company did not have the required Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plan. The logging company “agreed to pay a $4,000 penalty and address violations of the Oil Pollution Prevention regulations of the Clean Water Act.”
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection also penalized both the logging company and the fuel provider for the same spill in a separate regulatory action, according to the EPA.
How Can Berms Help Me Avoid Fines and Enforcement?
Having appropriate spill prevention control and countermeasure plans is the first step toward avoiding action from regulators.
In many cases, the Basic Concepts Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® is a great tool to ensure you’re keeping your work site safe from spills and leaks. Since this product is designed to meet or exceed state and federal EPA regulation requirements (including the 40 CFR part 112 of the Clean Water Act and SPCC), properly deploying this on job sites is a simple, effective way to ensure compliance with environmental regulation, and its use can help avoid fines and other enforcement measures.
Why Choose BCI for Fuel Tank Containment?
Choosing BCI for fuel tank containment offers numerous advantages rooted in our expertise, history, and commitment to client satisfaction. With over 35 years of experience,we have established ourselves as a leader in spill containment solutions. We pioneered the original QuickBerm®, setting industry standards for portable secondary spill containment and demonstrating our dedication to innovation and quality.
BCI’s reputation for client satisfaction is reflected in our widespread use across more than two hundred military installations and hundreds of industrial sites worldwide. Our products are trusted for their reliable performance, providing peace of mind to businesses and organizations that require effective containment solutions.
In addition to our strong track record, we offer comprehensive containment solutions tailored to prevent spills and enhance safety at facilities of all sizes. Our products are designed to meet or exceed state and federal EPA regulations, including the stringent requirements of the 40 CFR part 112 of the Clean Water Act and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations.
Our spill containment products are also recognized for their durability and chemical resistance. Compatible with hydrocarbons and a wide range of chemicals, our containment solutions are built to prevent leaks and manage emergency spills effectively.
By choosing BCI, your business can ensure your fuel storage and transfer operations are safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible.
FAQs
Q: Do fuel tanks need to be in containment?
Yes, fuel tanks, especially single-wall tanks, must be in containment to comply with safety standards like NFPA 30. Containment areas, often referred to as "diked areas," must have the capacity to hold 110% of the largest tank’s volume to prevent environmental contamination and ensure spill control.
Q: What is fuel tank containment?
Fuel tank containment refers to a system designed to prevent spills or leaks of hazardous liquids, such as fuel, from contaminating the environment. It serves as a secondary barrier that captures and retains any leakage from the primary tank, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. This containment is a critical component of spill prevention and is often required for facilities handling fuel or other hazardous substances.
Q: What are the secondary containment requirements for a tank?
Secondary containment for tanks must meet specific volume requirements to prevent overflow in case of a leak or spill. For a single tank, the containment system must have a capacity equal to at least 110% of the tank's volume. For multiple tanks, the containment must hold 10% of the aggregate volume or 150% of the largest tank’s volume, whichever is greater. Additionally, outdoor containment systems may require extra capacity to account for precipitation.
Q: How do you size a tank containment?
To size a tank containment system, calculate the required capacity based on regulations: for a single tank, the containment must hold 110% of its volume. For multiple tanks, it should hold either 10% of the total volume of all tanks or 150% of the largest tank’s volume, whichever is greater. If the containment is located outdoors, additional capacity must be factored in to account for potential rain or snow accumulation, ensuring the containment system remains effective in all weather conditions.