Flexible Spill Containment Berms

Spill containment berms are flexible secondary containment systems designed to capture oil, fuel, chemicals, and other hazardous liquids at the source. Commonly used for drums, totes, vehicles, and industrial equipment, these spill berms help facilities control leaks and spills before they spread, protecting surrounding surfaces, storm drains, and waterways.

Flexible spill containment berms are engineered for fast deployment and reliable containment across a wide range of applications, including heavy-duty vehicles, palletized drums, chemical totes, and stationary storage. With simple, deployable side walls and durable liner materials, BCI’s flexible spill containment berms provide an effective solution for oil containment, chemical spill control, and SPCC compliance – often within minutes of setup.

What Are Spill Containment Berms Used For?

Spill containment berms are used across a wide range of industries to control and contain leaks, drips, and accidental spills before they spread into surrounding areas. As flexible secondary containment systems, spill berms help facilities manage oil, fuel, chemical, and equipment-related spill risks while supporting environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

Oil & Fuel Spill Containment

Oil containment berms are commonly used to capture leaks and spills from fuel storage, vehicle maintenance areas, substations, generators, transformers, and mobile equipment. These spill containment berms help prevent oil and fuel from spreading across pavement or soil, reducing environmental impact and simplifying cleanup. Flexible oil spill berms are especially useful in locations where permanent containment structures are impractical or unnecessary.

Chemical Spill Containment Applications

Chemical spill containment berms are used to contain a wide range of industrial chemicals, including acids, bases, solvents, and process fluids. BCI’s flexible spill containment berms are manufactured with chemically resistant liners, making them suitable for facilities that handle or store hazardous liquids. Material compatibility is an essential factor when selecting a chemical containment berm, and some applications may require custom sizing or specialized liners.

Drum, Tote & Equipment Storage

Secondary containment berms are frequently placed beneath drums, totes, and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) to capture leaks caused by container failure, overfilling, or transfer operations. Using spill containment berms allows facilities to maintain secondary containment without installing permanent curbing or concrete structures, offering flexibility as storage needs change.

Drive-Over & Vehicle Access Areas

Drive-over spill containment berms are designed for locations where forklifts, trucks, or other vehicles must regularly enter and exit the containment area. These berms feature reinforced side walls or support systems that allow vehicles to pass over them while maintaining effective spill containment once equipment is parked inside the berm.

Facilities that use, store, or transfer oil or oil-related products may be subject to secondary containment requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. These regulations are intended to prevent oil spills from reaching navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.

According to the EPA, the SPCC regulations apply to facilities that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Store, transfer, or use oil or oil-related products such as diesel fuel, gasoline, hydraulic oil, vegetable oil, or animal fats
• Store more than 1,320 gallons of oil in above-ground containers, counting only containers that store 55 gallons or more, or more than 42,000 gallons in completely buried containers
• Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil into navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines, including lakes, rivers, and streams

Facilities that meet these criteria are responsible for developing an SPCC plan designed to mitigate the impact of accidental spills. Part of developing an SPCC plan involves implementing containment measures that prevent oil from entering waterways.

Active containment measures require human intervention in response to a spill, such as deploying a spill kit or placing a drain cover. Passive containment measures require no human action and are already in place before a spill occurs. Flexible spill containment berms are passive containment systems commonly used to support SPCC compliance.

Selecting the appropriate secondary containment berm requires calculating spill containment capacity based on the containers or equipment being stored. EPA guidance requires that the entire containment system, including walls and floor, be capable of containing oil and constructed so that any discharge from a primary containment system does not escape before cleanup occurs.

To calculate spill containment volume:

1. List the containers that will be placed within the secondary containment area.
2. Identify the largest single container and add 10 percent freeboard volume.
3. Convert gallons to cubic feet using the formula: cubic feet = gallons ÷ 7.48.
4. Use the berm wall height to calculate the required containment area using the formula: area = volume ÷ height.
5. Determine a length and width that fit within the available workspace.
6. Select a standard spill containment berm that meets or exceeds the calculated capacity.

Custom spill containment berms are available for applications involving irregular layouts, limited space, or specific chemical compatibility requirements.

Different spill containment berm designs exist to accommodate varying access needs, terrain conditions, and containment requirements. Some of BCI’s berms are optimized for frequent vehicle traffic, while others prioritize higher containment walls or stationary storage. The comparison below highlights key differences among common flexible spill containment berm types to help identify the best option for your application.

Flexible spill containment berms provide a practical, portable solution for controlling oil, fuel, and chemical spills across a wide range of industrial and commercial environments. By selecting the appropriate berm style, size, and material, facilities can improve spill preparedness while supporting secondary containment and environmental compliance requirements.

For help selecting the right spill containment berm or to request pricing for standard or custom solutions, contact BCI to speak with a containment specialist or request a quote.

What are spill containment berms made from?

Spill containment berms are typically constructed from durable, flexible materials designed to resist oils, fuels, chemicals, and environmental exposure. Many flexible spill containment berms are made using PVC-coated material, which provides strength, chemical resistance, and long-term durability in industrial settings.

What liquids can spill containment berms hold?

Spill containment berms are commonly used to contain oil, fuel, hydraulic fluids, and a wide range of industrial chemicals. Material compatibility depends on the specific liner used, so it’s essential to select a berm designed for the substances being stored or handled. For chemical spill containment applications, liner selection is a key consideration.

Do spill containment berms meet secondary containment requirements?

Flexible spill containment berms are commonly used as passive secondary containment systems to help facilities meet spill prevention and environmental compliance requirements, including SPCC regulations. When properly sized and installed, spill containment berms can contain leaks or discharges until cleanup occurs, helping prevent spills from reaching surrounding surfaces or waterways.

Are spill containment berms permanent installations?

Spill containment berms are typically portable and non-permanent. Their flexible design allows them to be deployed only when needed or relocated as site conditions change. This makes them a practical alternative to permanent concrete or steel containment structures, especially in temporary or evolving work areas.

Can spill containment berms be customized?

Yes. Spill containment berms can be customized to meet specific size, wall height, material, or access requirements. Custom containment berms are often used for irregular layouts, large equipment, or applications involving unique chemical compatibility needs. Contact BCI for a custom quote.