Main Features of Secondary Containment Systems

Secondary Containment: – Secondary containment is a safeguard measure used to prevent accidental releases or spills of toxic or hazardous substances to the environment (water, soil & air). Secondary containment can be a structure that is chemically compatible to hold a release and remain liquid tight until clean up occurs. Secondary containment can also be an engineered means to redirect a spill away from water or other sensitive receptor to a temporary diversion system.Even the most safety conscious organisation can have an emergency, and preparing for one will depend on what hazardous substances you use and store.

If you store large amounts of hazardous substances, you will need secondary containment to minimise the extent of the spill and to help you recover the spilled substance.

The secondary containment system prevents hazardous liquids, or hazardous substances that may liquefy in a fire, from escalating to a point where staff at the site, the public, or the environment can be harmed.

The capacity of the secondary containment system depends on the type of container and the amount of hazardous substance stored.

What needs secondary containment?

Secondary containment requirements are not straightforward and regulatory guidance is not black and white. This is a good thing, because secondary containment should be adjusted to match site specific conditions without unnecessarily increasing project costs.

You typically expect the following materials and work activities to always have secondary containment:

• Fuel tanks
• Fuel transfer activities, for both mobile and stationary areas
• Volumes of stored or used liquid located adjacent/up gradient to water, where there is a reasonable potential of a worst case scenario spill could reach water. Examples such as:

1. Large volumes stored in drums and tanks
2. Large volumes used in large generators and pumps, hydraulic power packs
3. Moderate volumes located directly near water or unprotected drainage system that directly discharges to water

• Storage of material that may potentially pose a threat to human health or the environment that is not in constant or regular daily use

Consider the following factors when making a judgment call relating to secondary containment:

1. Surrounding environment

2. Timeframe in use

3. Condition of equipment

4. Security and vandalism

5. Weather

6. Available manpower

7. Equipment and materials

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