How To Buy Spill Containment Berms

By Christa Jarvis


Oil or chemical spills are greatly harmful to people and the environment at large. This makes it necessary for those handling chemicals and oil to take necessary measures to prevent spillage. An effective way is to use containment berms. The kind of berm you buy depends on the substance you want to restrain. Here is a guide on how to buy such safety items.

Always remember that you cannot tell when spills may occur. In this case, proper preparedness requires that you have a berm with you always, whether transporting or storing such chemicals. Containers can malfunction any time and without warning. Since the market is full of containment products, one is sure to find a suitable berm that can provide effective protection even in harsh conditions. This not only saves the environment and people around, but also makes sure the owner does not fall into the wrong side of law.

The State calls all people, industries, and businesses to promote a safe environment. Controlling unnecessary spills is one way to adhere to this regulation. Besides, proper manufacturing practices require all industries to keep their surrounding habitable.

When shopping for such products, always determine what you need first. Containment products come in different sizes and materials depending on the equipment and chemical you want to contain. In this decision you should also ask yourself what you need to achieve. You will use a different product to control leaks and drips on equipment, from when restraining intensive spills. Such considerations will lead you to buy the right item for the job.

Various materials are used in a spill berm. Such include concrete, steel, films and coated fabrics. In most cases, the coated fabrics will be compatible with the chemical being contained. However, films are usually cheap but offer a single use solution. This is because they break along some cracks created when folding.

If looking for permanent solution to controlling spills, both coated fabrics, steel with special coating and concrete are used. However, each method of containment comes at different costs for both purchase and maintenance. It is necessary to consider the cost before making your decision.

Find a versatile and user-friendly product. This is because spills may occur as an emergency giving you no time to assemble various parts of a berm. This makes a one piece construction the best choice in such a situation. Visit different vendors and see what they have in their stores. You may choose to work with those stocking a variety of items to increase chances of getting the right product.

Always opt for a high quality product. Some may cost high depending on the materials used to manufacture. However, such will last long compared to cheap low quality berms. One should keep off films as they are prone to punctures during use and will not last long. In addition, consider a light-weight design that can work in different situations.




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