Secondary Containment - Calculating Damage by Containing Chemicals Before They are able to Break out

| Monday, October 24, 2011
By Peter Markov


How can you control your chemicals if they spill? Few containers are undoubtedly spill proof, specially once they're opened and you're dispensing chemicals, so having a fall-back plan is a good idea. And that's where secondary containment trays will help.

So what exactly are secondary containment trays?

Fundamentally, they truly are just what the name says: trays, i. e., flat containers, which contain spills and leaks as a secondary barrier before they can escape and do damage.

Normally, you retain chemicals within their own containers. Those could leak. However, where secondary containment trays really shine are work areas where those chemicals are used for various purposes and possibly mixed with others. While being poured from one container into another, they could easily spill.

But rather of running off the top onto a floor, where they spread or are tracked by people stepping into any puddles they might form, they truly are being found in one place: in a secondary containment tray.

Why secondary and not primary?

Trays aren't suitable as primary storage containers. For starters, they are not closable, and so they themselves are highly spill prone. However, they're great as a back-up. Since somebody dealing with chemicals on a tray can see if there's a spill, they are able to easily mop things up right while they happen, so a tray is perfectly sufficient for that purpose.

Also, if an open container on the tray should topple over, the tray will retain the liquid and ensure it is soaked up by suitable absorbents.

What forms of absorbents should be used?

There are a variety of options, but among the easiest ones to maneuver as well among the most cost-effective will be absorbent pads. They could be kept close by and will be quickly used to mop up any spills or leaks before they can become a problem. According to your requirements and the chemicals involved, you may even wish to keep an appropriate spill kit handy.

Are those trays really big enough to contain serious spills?

You need to use good judgment of course. Trays do have a capacity from 5 gallons up, depending on size. They're ideal for smaller jobs.

When you have a larger job, you might use some of the larger pallets. Those can be found in a range of sizes, and are ideal for storing of drums along with other large containers. They are also readily available for dispensing units and may have a capacity all the way to 400 gallons, that ought to offer you a great deal of protection.

Good quality secondary containment trays and larger pallets are crafted from high density polyethylene and can last to extensive use and a broad range of chemicals.




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