Saturday, September 7, 2013

Spill Containment Berms Prevent Accidents

By Helene Norris


In most situations, in particular those that involve potential risks from toxic or harmful substances, the number one priority should be safety. Even if the materials are not considered to be hazardous, but may pose a danger is spilled, the best option to avoid accidents is to keep it confined to a defined area. The most effective way to achieve this goal is generally through the use of spill containment berms.

The purpose of a berm is to act as a barrier between two substances or environments. Because they are needed in such a wide variety of circumstances, this type of product is available in nearly a hundred different versions. Each main model style is designed to handle a particular type of issue but they all come in multiple variations to meet those small changes that create new situations.

The number of model options is as expansive as the list of circumstances and substances for which they may be deployed. Being made of specialized materials, these items can confine virtually any liquid ranging from basic water to complex chemicals and acids. They handle solids such as rocks, gravel, sand, dirt, minerals, grains, rice and salt, to name a few, just as easily.

Tarps, flow-stops and pallets are the three main categories in which most confinement barriers will fall. Within each grouping are dozens of design and style variations. All of them have the same basic goal though they may go about reaching it via different ways because they will be catered to fit a myriad of unique situations.

Whenever containers such as boxes, barrels and canisters are being used to store flowing substances, pallets are usually the option of choice. Though used in many circumstances, their most common uses are in store rooms, on ships or within warehouses. Their are many styles but they all feature some sort of openings like cups or grates, through which leaks from the items on them may flow and remain safely confined and awaiting clean up.

Perhaps the most versatile option is that of the flow-stop barrier. These may be set up as part of a storage situation or quickly deployed for emergency situations. They are available in an extremely wide range of styles including solid walls in many heights and widths, metal L-shaped sections that may be fitted together to form any size enclosure and inflatable tubing that can form a secure fit when the terrain is uneven or the spill zone is oddly shaped.

Tarps are mostly used when one needs to store or do maintenance on a vehicle. They provide protective covering for the ground and come in an immense range of sizes from small enough to hold a motorcycle, to large enough for a jumbo jet. These products are equally varied but basically they all form a solid holding zone by framing the sheeting with collapsible borders of some type.

Spill containment berms are manufactured from several different materials, designed to safely contain virtually any substance they come in contact with. There sizes, shapes and styles will vary greatly as a necessity to meet the wide array of demands that are placed upon them. Whether being used for long term or temporary storage, maintenance or emergency situations, there is a model that can do the job.




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