Every system of protection has a last line of defense to prevent certain catastrophe doom. For cars and motorcycles, seatbelts and helmets are the Hail Mary of safety when everything else fails. Homes and businesses even rely on fire sprinklers until the smoke jumpers arrive on scene. Even nuclear bombs – the mother of all mayhem – have several safety pins to prevent accidental destruction. When it comes to chemical storage, every feature we engineer for our fire-rated lockers is a first-line defense against dangerous chemical incidents. But because the risks of storing hazardous materials are so unique and varied, we must treat every threat the same. There’s just so much you have to take into consideration. Fire, explosion and leaks are just a few of those hazards that must be constantly monitored. Our innovative spill containment sumps are the first in a long list of “last resort” options to protect your jobsite.
Spill Containment Sumps Stop Silent, But Costly Threats
When most people think you hazardous materials, radioactive Chernobyl like incidents and volatile explosions come to mind, but the true risks are far more insidious. While it’s true that it only takes one wayward spark to start an all consuming fire, the roots of most chemical incidents have dug deep long before fire fighters have arrived on scene. From a numbers’ perspective alone, most hazardous materials incidents happen due to negligent storage practices. Incompatible materials will eventually react with one another, creating a severe chemical reaction that takes months to clean-up. Expired and deteriorated storage containers can also cause leaks that will seep into the topsoil before making its way into ground water supplies, resulting in a nice little visit from the EPA. These types of silent leaks or environmental encroachments are far more common than factory explosions and fires.
Recently, an acid spill in Los Angeles trigged a full hazmat response. Firefighters were called to the scene after five gallons of the dangerous substance was spilled. Fortunately, the factory’s floor system was designed for just an event, and it was able to safely contain the material before it could do too much damage. We can say enough about this type of foresight in protection. Factory workers, understanding the potential damage of such spills, exercised great planning in installing such a floor system. Our spill containment sumps operate under a similar principle, preventing dangerous material from escaping the immediate exposure area, reducing the chances of harm.
Spill Prevention is the Ultimate Hazmat Prevention
Don’t wait for hazardous waste guys in oversized ‘space suits’ to show up at your jobsite before investing in steel protection. Slow spills and leaks from hazardous materials can transpire over a long period of time, leaving project managers with little recourse by the time the leaks are discovered. And since any liquid travels the path of least resistance, you can guarantee these materials will find their way downhill and seep into our sewer systems and waterways, causing irreparable damage. Many supervisors make the mistake of simply storing hazardous materials in supply closest or loading docks, but these high traffic areas can quickly compromise the integrity of storage containers. Segregated chemical storage is the only sure fire way to store dangerous materials separately and away from possible accelerants and ignition sources. If spills do occur, you don’t have to worry. Our innovative spill containment sump system will track leaks and spills in their track before impacting the environment outside the storage locker. If a spill does take place, the hazardous material will simply pass through the steel grated flooring and into the large containment sump where it will remain until it can be safely removed. Untreated or neglected chemical leaks will slowly drain profit margins and operating expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation!
