Friday, June 21, 2013

Maintain Messes With Spill Containment Berm

By Lana Bray


Life is filled with unexpected mishaps and unplanned messes. Some of those incidences may be best controlled by the use of a spill containment berm to keep whatever has leaked out maintained within a designated area. These blocking products are available in so many different sizes, shapes and designs as a matter of dealing with just as many varied substances.

A berm is essentially a wall or barrier that prevents flowing substances from passing beyond its boundaries. They may be made of different types of plastics, metals or even stone like materials. Some are designed to be permanent structures for places where spills are frequent, and others are made to be temporary and easily transportable.

Companies who handle hazardous chemicals, as well as those who deal with other materials that may be prone to spills, will generally have some of these barriers on site. When a particular substance is at risk of leaking, they may be stored within an enclosure of berms in order to keep the hazard contained until it can be attended. Barriers may also be constructed quickly for those unexpected occurrences.

These products are something that any emergency response team will know all about. They are trained in which type should be used for a particular type of threat and how to erect them quickly. It is important to know the best kind of berm to use, especially when dealing with chemicals, because some substances may have a negative reaction when in contact with certain materials.

There are varied styles available because not every circumstance will have the same conditions. For open areas or to keep water and other liquids from overflowing into a certain area, large loosely triangular shaped walls may be erected. Sometimes these are made of concrete when being used for long term as on a highway, or from heavy plastics that are easily transported for temporary usage.

Inside buildings like warehouses, one of the more common types used are small L shaped items that are joined together to create enclosures that utilize squared off corners. Most of the time these are preventative measures used around substances that may be prone to leakage during storage. This keeps anything that may escape its container confined until someone is able to assess and attend the spill.

Uneven areas or spaces without level boundaries may be best served by a flexible tubing barrier. This option is flat and can be stored rolled up like a fire hose then quickly deployed to fit even the curviest and bumpiest of terrains. Once set in place, it is inflated and the base will conform to whatever shape lies beneath it, forming an effective seal.

No matter the situation, it is likely that there is a spill containment berm that has been design to effectively handle and maintain the spread of materials. They can handle most anything from sand, grain and salt to liquids both hazardous and benign. These products are made in both flexible and rigid forms and can be used as a permanent or temporary solution.




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