Thursday, October 31, 2013

Containment Berms For Hazardous Spills

By Marsha Klein


There are a variety of containment berms that are available. In addition, they are used in a variety of situations and circumstances. For example, one of the better uses for them is precautionary. If a chemical company is preparing to empty a barrel of a hazardous chemical and they are worried about spillage it might be a good idea to have one of these under the entire apparatus.

Besides protecting wildlife these are also very good at keeping other materials, both hazardous and non away from areas they are not meant to be. Another example of this situation could be at a emptying station for waste tankers. Sure they have their connections and their pipes are meant to carry the waste and sludge away, but it is not always a neat operation.

Containment berms that sit right under the truck will catch anything that does not get carried away with the tube. So, while the tanker and the exit tubes are working to clear its belly of the waste, the berm is keeping everything around the area clean. Now these are just a couple uses for these wonderful products but that is not all. Of course not.

The reliable and rubber coated products can also be used for recreation. While this might be a bit off the owners manual (if there was an owners manual) people often take their berms and fix it down a hill. Add some water and a few friends and you instantly have the largest slip and slide possible. This is actually done quite often.

There are now collapsible wall versions that are portable and set up quickly and tear down just as fast. They are sturdy and use PVC walls and tubes for their rigidity. These are very useful for a variety of containment reasons. Many times, especially in water or when water is the liquid being contained, the flow can be violent.

The portable and mobile styles really come in handy during large spills, especially if the ones that are on hand at the facility where the spill occurred are already in use. They will need more and a larger area covered and that is where the portable ones fit right in. They can be adjusted and are able to follow the course of the spill.

Some of the older ones only have one or two ways or shapes they can lay out in. The newer portable ones can be put together in the shape that is needed so they can keep the fluid or chemical from reaching anything or anybody. Especially if there is an obstruction in the way that prevents the berm from setting up. The portable models can adapt to this.

Containment berms today are made from a few different materials but they are all tired and true. The products being sold on the market are also proven in the field. If there is a need for one you cannot pass on the berms. Especially the portable models as these come in handy more often than you might guess.




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