The most basic precaution against oil spills is the presence of secondary containment equipment in the form of an earthen berm, also known as a berm, earthwork, or dike, which is situated between the facility’s operations and its surrounding environment. When a spill does occur, a properly-constructed berm can help contain the spread of oil and minimize the damage it causes.
There are many different types of berms, from solid earthworks to permeable berms made from layers of different sized rocks or gravel. Regardless of the material used, the construction of the berm is the most important consideration. The berm must be built to a certain height and dimensions to be effective, and it must be built with the right materials in the right way to ensure it will perform its job effectively.
The right primary containment equipment is crucial to the success of any oil and gas production facility.
Primary containment equipment is the first line of defense against oil spills, and it can also be a safety precaution against gas leaks. It must be capable of effectively containing spills and leaks, and it must be durable enough to withstand the rigors of the oil and gas production facility while also being safe for personnel.
There are different types of primary containment equipment, but the most common are fabricated steel tanks and cement-lined tanks. Fabricated steel tanks are formed from steel plate and fitted with a steel or plastic cover, so they are easy to install and can be
Our Editor’s Best Secondary Containment Equipment Reviews
- Reliable & Cost-Effective Spill Protection - Get a dependable spill barrier at an economical price point, helping you control spills of oils, fuels, and chemicals while reducing cleanup costs
- Built Tough for Demanding Jobs - Durable 40 mil LLDPE construction resists harsh chemicals and rugged environments, giving you long-lasting oil spill containment in tough conditions
- Stable and Secure Containment Pool - Reinforced dual-layer sidewalls and corrosion-resistant supports maintain structure during use, so you can operate equipment without worrying about sagging
- Versatile - The ideal spill berm for construction, oil & gas, utilities, agriculture, and more, providing flexible, portable containment wherever you need it without investing in permanent systems
- Stay Compliant with Confidence - Designed to help meet EPA and SPCC requirements, giving you peace of mind while reducing the risk of fines and ensuring safe, responsible spill containment practices
- Reinforced Sidewalls with Removable Brackets – Quick to assemble and break down for efficient transport and storage.
- Chemical-Resistant Liner – Engineered with rugged geomembrane materials that withstand harsh oils, fuels, and industrial fluids.
- Multiple Sizes Available – Fits everything from small utility equipment to large frac tanks and trucks.
- Provides a comparable puncture rating to industry standard 40 mil at a very reduced weight - the average weight of a 12' x 50' x 1' L-Bracket berm is 72 lbs.
- Meets EPA SPCC Regulations – Designed for environmental compliance in oil and gas, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
- Waterproof Design: Folding duck pond material selection of heavy-duty PVC coated polyester fiber, waterproof and anti-oil stains easy to clean; product quality is strong and thick, not easy to break, durable.
- Folding Storage: The duck pond can be folded, folded and fixed with a strap does not take up space, convenient storage.
- Multi-scenario Application: for rapid response to machine leaks, preventive maintenance and emergency drips, suitable for rapid deployment in small areas, for use under valves
- Stability:The Duck pond sidewalls using closed-cell foam board firm and not easy to leak, can withstand high strength crushing; casual movement will not leakage,can withstand extreme weather.
- Wide Range of Uses: As spill containment berms, storage mats for leaky containers and large pet pools
- 【Fits Standard 55-Gallon Drums, Heavy-Duty Load Support】：Designed to securely hold 2 standard 55-gallon drums or containers. Industrial HDPE structure supports up to 4400lb static load / 1320lb dynamic load, providing stable storage for oil, chemicals, and liquid containers without deformation.
- 【20 Gallon Sump Capacity For Secondary Containment】：Integrated 6-inch deep sump captures leaks, drips, and spills to help maintain a cleaner workspace. Elevated removable grate keeps containers above collected liquid, supporting safer chemical and liquid storage management.
- 【Forklift & Pallet Jack Compatible Design】：Built-in forklift pockets allow safe handling with forklifts or pallet jacks. Anti-slip removable grating helps keep drums stable during movement, supporting efficient transport in warehouses and industrial environments.
- 【HDPE Chemical Resistant & Outdoor Ready】：Constructed from high-density polyethylene resistant to most oils, solvents, and industrial chemicals. UV-resistant material allows long-term indoor or outdoor use without cracking or fading.
- 【Removable Grate, No Assembly, Stackable Storage】：Removable grating allows easy cleaning of the sump area. Ready to use out of the box with no assembly required. Empty units can be stacked vertically to save storage space. This product includes a drain outlet.
- Reliable & Cost-Effective Spill Protection - Get a dependable spill barrier at an economical price point, helping you control spills of oils, fuels, and chemicals while reducing cleanup costs
- Built Tough for Demanding Jobs - Durable 40 mil LLDPE construction resists harsh chemicals and rugged environments, giving you long-lasting oil spill containment in tough conditions
- Stable and Secure Containment Pool - Reinforced dual-layer sidewalls and corrosion-resistant supports maintain structure during use, so you can operate equipment without worrying about sagging
- Versatile - The ideal spill berm for construction, oil & gas, utilities, agriculture, and more, providing flexible, portable containment wherever you need it without investing in permanent systems
- Stay Compliant with Confidence - Designed to help meet EPA and SPCC requirements, giving you peace of mind while reducing the risk of fines and ensuring safe, responsible spill containment practices
- Customizable Spill Control: The built-in U-channels on each modular platform allows for easy connection of multiple platforms, creating a customized spill control system tailored to your specific needs
- Leakproof Durable Construction: Each black spill platform is made from 100% recycled high-density polyethylene with a lead-free protectant that has excellent chemical resistance and impact durability for long life, while the seamless construction eliminates leaks
- Low-profile Design: The low-profile centers of this spill containment platform measure 6.5" high, making it easy to handle drums during filling and dispensing, and can be paired with a compatible ramp (1689 or 1689B)
- Removable Top Grates and Forklift Pockets: The top grates of this spill platform are removable for easy cleaning, while forklift pockets make relocation easy
- Made in the USA: With an impressive 10,000 lbs. load capacity and 60.5 gallon sump this plastic pallet container securely contains leaks from chemical storage drums
- Rugged Construction: The Black Diamond L-Bracket Spill Containment Berm is engineered with first-class chemical, rip, tear, and puncture resistance for durability.
- Various Sizing: Small sizes commonly contain light plants, generators, light equipment, 55-gallon drums, and IBCs. Medium sizes include containment for medium-size equipment, small vehicles, IBCs, and machinery. Large sizes commonly contain large tankers, military vehicles, large equipment, and bulk storage of drums/IBCs.
- Compact: The BD Containment Berm is standardly made from EnDuraLine 40. This material is highly flexible and thus can be folded up nice and compact.
- Quality Assurance: Each containment berm goes through a very thorough quality control test to make sure they all perform at their maximum performance. These quality checks include: liquid testing to review for leaks, weld testing, and serial number tracking.
- Versatile Design: L-bracket shape allows for flexible placement and usage. Additionally, because the L-bracket is removable, these containment berms can be easily moved, used for different projects, and useful in many situations.
- Durable Construction: Made from high-density polyethylene with lead-free protectant, this oil drum containment pallet has excellent chemical resistance and impact durability for long life
- No leaks, no worries: The seamless construction of this spill containment pallet eliminates leaks to protect against unwanted spills and help avoid potential fines
- Removable Top Grates and Forklift Pockets: The top grates of this spill platform are removable for easy cleaning, while forklift pockets make relocation easy
- Versatile: This spill containment pallet is available with or without a drain and is made in high-visibility yellow or black to help hide dirt and grime
- Made in the USA: With an impressive 8,000 lbs. load capacity and 132-gallon sump this spill containment pallet securely contains leaks from chemical storage drums
- Reliable & Cost-Effective Spill Protection - Get a dependable spill barrier at an economical price point, helping you control spills of oils, fuels, and chemicals while reducing cleanup costs
- Built Tough for Demanding Jobs - Durable 40 mil LLDPE construction resists harsh chemicals and rugged environments, giving you long-lasting oil spill containment in tough conditions
- Stable and Secure Containment Pool - Reinforced dual-layer sidewalls and corrosion-resistant supports maintain structure during use, so you can operate equipment without worrying about sagging
- Versatile - The ideal spill berm for construction, oil & gas, utilities, agriculture, and more, providing flexible, portable containment wherever you need it without investing in permanent systems
- Stay Compliant with Confidence - Designed to help meet EPA and SPCC requirements, giving you peace of mind while reducing the risk of fines and ensuring safe, responsible spill containment practices
- Quality Assurance: With the Aluminum L-Bracket Spill Berm, you are guarenteed a high quality and durable spill berm. Each berm is air-lance tested to ensure the seal of all welds, liquid tested and reviewed for leaks, and is CAD designed and cut components.
- Durability: Each spill berm is constructed using EnDuraLine 40 which is a highly resistant fabric perfect for any enviroment. Other available materials include, PVC, Elvaloy Copolymer, Ultra Low-temp, and Custom materials upon request.
- Easy set-up and take-down: Each berm is made from a highly flexible and menuverable material that makes setting up and taking down the berm extremely easy. EnDuraLine 40 material used allows for extremely compact storage and easy transportation.
- Drive-Over Design: The Aluminum L-Bracket Spill Berm design allows for equipment and vehicles to be driven over. With the flexible fabric used and removable aluminum brackets, once removed, anything can drive over all sides of the berm.
- Various sizing: Small sizes commonly contain light plants, generators, light equipment, 55-gallon drums, and IBCs. Medium sizes include containment for medium-size equipment, small vehicles, IBCs, and machinery. Large sizes commonly contain large tankers, military vehicles, large equipment, and bulk storage of drums/IBCs.
Best Secondary Containment Equipment Buying Guide
Before choosing the best secondary containment equipment you should consider following options:
1. Water-based containment systems: Water-based secondary containment systems are either tank-based or wet-well based.
Water-based tank-based systems are suitable for liquids with a high percentage of oil. For example, in the case of drilling muds. The tank is filled with water and floats on top of the oil/water layer.
The secondary tank can be made of steel, plastic or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). This type of secondary containment can be used in almost all types of industries. Advantages:
Less expensive than other types of secondary containment.
Suitable for solids and liquids.
Suitable for hazardous environments.
Disadvantages:
High maintenance costs.
The secondary tank needs to be emptied periodically.
Complicated and costly piping.
Less suitable for use in areas where the climate is warm.
Water-based wet-well containment systems are suitable for liquids with a low percentage of oil. For example, drilling muds, fresh water and chemicals.
Wet-wells can be made of steel, plastic or GRP. Suitable for all types of industries. Advantages:
Suitable for all types of liquids.
Suitable for all kinds of environments.
Suitable for all kinds of liquids.
Disadvantages:
High maintenance costs.
Complicated and costly piping.
2. Dry-based containment systems: Dry-based secondary containment systems are suitable for liquids with a high percentage of oil. For example, drilling muds.
The secondary tank is made of steel and is filled with sand or gravel. Advantages:
Suitable for solids and liquids.
Suitable for all types of environments.
Disadvantages:
Complicated and costly piping.
High maintenance costs.
Suitable only for liquids with a low percentage of oil.
3. Hybrid containment systems: These are the most suitable type of secondary containment systems. They combine the advantages of both water-based and dry-based systems.
The simplest type of hybrid containment system is the combination of a water-based tank and a dry-based tank. However, it is possible to have more complex hybrid containment systems, with multiple tanks and different liquids.
What else you should know about secondary containment equipment
1. What is secondary containment equipment?
Secondary containment equipment is used to protect the environment from spills or leaks of hazardous materials. This equipment includes containment booms, dikes, berms, and other barriers.
2. What are the benefits of using secondary containment equipment?
Some benefits of using secondary containment equipment are that it can help to prevent or reduce environmental contamination, it can help to keep products from being lost or damaged, and it can help to reduce the risk of injuries.
3. What are the different types of secondary containment equipment?
There are many different types of secondary containment equipment, but some of the most common include:
-Dikes
-Berms
-Retention ponds
-Secondary containment sumps
-Double-walled tanks
-Secondary containment vessels
4. What are the key features of secondary containment equipment?
Some key features of secondary containment equipment include:
-The ability to contain and/or collect spills
-The ability to be easily cleaned
-The ability to be easily accessed for maintenance
-The ability to be durable and weather resistant
5. How do I select the right secondary containment equipment for my needs?
There are a few factors to consider when selecting secondary containment equipment:
-The type of product being stored
-The size of the containers being stored
-The number of containers being stored
-The environment the equipment will be used in
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best secondary containment equipment. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best secondary containment equipment will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.