Spill berms play an important role in preventing, controlling, and cleaning up of all kinds of materials, hazardous or otherwise. Spill control berms are important and required by law in many countries to ensure that hazardous materials like chemicals and petroleum products don’t end up in the sea and water supply. Berms have to meet very specific requirements based on the job at hand.
Types of berms
There are a few types of spill berm available on the market, and they come with different capacities. It is a legal requirement for most facilities dealing in hazardous materials to have them in place.
- Stinger berms are popular and available in a number of sizes. They work well for large spill containment. Flexible sidewalls and easy assembly make this type a valuable asset.
- Rapid Rise berms are also useful as vehicles can be driven onto them from any side. The sump capacity is large and this type can be customized to meet needs. A foam ring on top of the berm rises with liquid levels to prevent spills from occurring.
- Auto collapse berms are unique in their design, in that the sidewalls collapse in different directions and then spring back into place. These are usually made from polymers which are resistant to chemical corrosion and are highly durable.
- A perma berm is a modular system with sections which can be joined together for the needed size. Panels are usually bolted together and sections sealed with rubber gaskets. Generally made of steel, these are corrosion resistant and can bear up to 40,000 lbs.
Why spill berms are essential
Spill berms perform the essential function of holding hazardous materials safely until they can be disposed of according to regulations. These can also be used to transport waste in a safe manner. These berms are constructed with weather resistant materials and the corrosive effects of the materials they contain. With a bit of care, these can last a long time.
Spill control berms are priced reasonably, and they make sense as investments. With more potent substances being invented and used for different processes, it only makes sense to invest in a berm to ensure that the environment and the public are safe from the effects of dangerous spills.