Generator Spill Containment Solutions

When a generator leaks, you need containment you can trust. The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® is engineered specifically for generator secondary containment, combining fast deployment, rugged durability, and full compliance in one solution.

Secondary containment, as defined by the Washington State Department of Transportation, is a safeguard measure designed to capture hazardous liquids before they contaminate soil, water, or air. In practice, berms provide this protection by creating a liquid-tight barrier that traps fuel, oil, or other hazardous materials until proper cleanup occurs.

The Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® and QuickBerm® Lite make this process simple and reliable:

• Quick setup with single-piece construction—no assembly required.
• Drive-through design with reinforced corners for safe equipment access.
  Chemically resistant fabric compatible with hydrocarbons, fuels, oils, and other hazardous chemicals.
• Compact, portable Lite option for small generators, refueling operations, or space-limited sites.
• Meets or exceeds EPA SPCC requirements (40 CFR Part 112) for secondary containment.

With durable construction and reusable designs, these berms offer dependable protection against leaks and overfill spills while helping facilities stay compliant and avoid costly environmental penalties.

Lightweight and portable, perfect for smaller generators or frequent deployment. Folds flat for storage, sets up in minutes, and still provides compliant spill containment.

[Get Your QuickBerm® Lite]

Without secondary containment, generator spills and leaks can quickly endanger workers, communities, and the environment. Gasoline and diesel are hazardous materials that can burn skin, irritate lungs, and cause long-term health effects such as damage to the nervous system, blood, and kidneys. When spilled into soil or groundwater, petroleum products can spread contamination, requiring costly cleanup and remediation.

The risks extend beyond health and environmental damage:

• Groundwater and soil contamination that demands expensive cleanup.
• Fire and safety hazards for workers handling fuels and oils.
• Regulatory fines of up to $47,357 per day of violation under EPA guidelines.
• Reputational harm, as spills damage trust with regulators and customers.

While the EPA does not classify generators as “oil-filled operational equipment,” the fuels they use are stored in bulk containers and transferred during operation, making them subject to spill risks. For this reason, berms and other secondary containment measures remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your workforce, the environment, and your bottom line.

 

Spill containment berms act as a reliable secondary barrier, capturing leaks and spills before they can spread into the environment. For generators, berms are particularly valuable during refueling, storage, or long-term operation—ensuring gasoline, diesel, or oil stays contained rather than seeping into soil or groundwater.

Leaking fuel is not only a contamination risk but also a fire hazard. OSHA cites generator refueling accidents as a major cause of workplace injuries, while faulty parts can also lead to unexpected leaks. Berms help mitigate both human error and equipment failure by trapping fuel before it causes harm.

With durable, single-piece designs, BCI berms provide reusable protection that sets up quickly and remains dependable in demanding jobsite conditions. Options like the Rigid-Lock QuickBerm® and QuickBerm® Lite make it easy to:

• Capture gasoline, diesel, or oil spills safely before they spread.
• Prevent sparks or ignition sources from contacting flammable fuel.
• Reuse the berm after proper cleaning, maximizing value.
• Contain not only generator fuel but also hydraulic leaks, damaged tanks, and battery drips.

Lightweight materials and fold-down designs allow crews to deploy berms rapidly wherever they’re needed. This gives operators peace of mind knowing they’re keeping workers safe, protecting the environment, and maintaining compliance with EPA and SPCC guidelines.

 

At BCI, we offer generator spill containment solutions to fit any facility or situation. Look to us for:

• Proven performance: Trusted by industrial, commercial, and military facilities worldwide.
• Regulatory compliance: Engineered to meet EPA SPCC containment standards.
• Custom solutions: Available in standard and custom sizes to fit your generators.
• Ease of use: Fast deployment, portable storage, and durable designs.

Ready to safeguard your generators? Contact Basic Concepts today for a quote or to find the right generator spill containment berm for your facility.

During a generator leak, spill berms provide necessary spill containment processes helping comply with SPCC and EPA regulations. The MilBerm™ by Basic Concepts helps contain hazardous materials and is compatible with all hydrocarbons and a wide range of chemicals. MilBerms are available in custom sizes to meet specific spill containment needs.

The durable design of the Milberm offers drive-through spill berm use with reinforced corners. The unit deploys quickly with no assembly required and has a single-piece construction for quick setup.

The Milberm is designed specifically to meet or exceed EPA state and federal regulations for secondary spill containment, including the SPCC requirements for spill containment found in 40 CFR part 112 of the Clean Water Act.

MilBerms are available in custom sizes for specific generator spill containment needs.

Suggested berm size for various MQ, Cummins and Kohler diesel generators

Utilizing Milberms for Secondary Containment.

A berm is considered secondary containment, which can be defined as “a safeguard measure used to prevent accidental releases or spills of toxic or hazardous substances to the environment (water, soil, and air),” according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WDOT). 

“Secondary containment can be a structure that is chemically compatible to hold a release and remain liquid-tight until clean-up occurs,” says the WDOT. 

In the case of generators, secondary containment works to keep fuel, oil, and other potential hazards from escaping into the environment by trapping it with PVC-coated fabric (or similar materials). Secondary containers like the MilBerm Lite are designed to be portable, folding down to store or transport. This makes them easy to deploy on-site as a preventative measure for spills when refilling generators or other tanks. 

Because they are designed for smaller containment needs, these secondary containment berms take up less space than other berms and are ideal for capturing leaks from overfill spills from fuel tanks and refueling operations, like those that can happen with generators. And, with a seamless one-piece design, the MilBerm Lite sets up fast and easy. It’s a simple way to keep spills from becoming a major hazard. 

What Happens If I Don’t Use a Berm? 

Without secondary containment, spills and leaks can quickly become dangerous to workers, the public, and the environment. 

Even though we use gasoline and diesel in our everyday lives, they are still considered hazardous materials. The New Jersey Department of Health lists gasoline as a hazardous substance, noting that it can burn skin and eyes and cause lung irritation, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. 

Chronic exposure to petroleum products may affect the nervous system, blood, and kidneys, according to the New York Attorney General’s Office. 

The environment can also be damaged by leaking oil, gas, or diesel. According to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, diesel spills can contaminate groundwater if they are not properly cleaned up. 

“Contaminated soil needs to be removed because contaminants can leach to groundwater or spread to surface water if there is rain,” according to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Although the EPA doesn’t consider generators and gen-sets “oil-filled operational equipment,” it is prudent to use berms to protect worksites from spills.  According to the EPA, although generators consume oil in order to make electricity, the fuel they use “is not inherent to the device and is stored in a bulk storage container, which requires transfers of oil.” 

This technicality means that, although they use gas, gen-sets are not considered for regulation by the EPA. Although gen-sets include oil-filled operational equipment, oil-filled operational equipment is not subject to the same regulations as bulk storage containers. The EPA says that violators are subject to a potential civil penalty of up to $47,357 per day of violation.

Still, there is a great benefit to workers and the environment to prevent spills and to be able to clean up accidents quickly and safely. 

How Does a Berm Work to Prevent Generator Spills?

While gas-powered generators are convenient on job sites, they can also be a safety or environmental hazard if their fuel leaks or spills. By using a berm during refueling or generator storage, you can capture dripping fuel before it becomes a larger health or environmental issue. 

Just like any other fuel, leaking gas from a generator is flammable. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists fires from improperly refueling a generator as a major cause of workplace injuries and fatalities for workers. 

In some cases, human error may not be to blame for leaking gas, diesel, or oil from generators. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, faulty parts can lead to generator leaks, which in turn can cause hazards on a job site. 

By using a berm when refilling a gas generator, you can help ensure flammable gasoline is trapped safely before it comes into contact with a spark or other ignition source. And, when properly cleaned, these berms can be reused over and over to capture overfill spills from fuel tanks. You can also use the MilBerm for hydraulic leaks and breaks, damaged saddle tanks, and leaky batteries. 

Be prepared for gasoline overfill spills, overflowing fuel tanks, and other kinds of refueling mishaps by regularly using small berms at refill sites. The lightweight materials and simple fold-down design make it easy to use the MilBerm Lite, consistently giving you and your workers peace of mind that they’re keeping themselves and the environment safe.