STORAGE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES - SUMP TRAYS

The storage of hazardous materials is essential in many workplaces (workshops, laboratories, etc.). The key issue is the proper organization, operation of the workplace and ensuring the safety of people working in it. The workplace should be adapted to the applicable health and safety and fire protection requirements. concerning the storage of hazardous materials.

Legal basis

•  Act of February 25, 2011 on chemical substances and their mixtures
• The Act of April 27, 2001, Environmental Protection Law
• The Act of July 18, 2001, Water Law
• Directives, EU acts

The storage of hazardous substances should be organized in such a way as to prevent the release of hazardous substances into soil and water. The person conducting business activity is obliged to secure the plant against direct discharge of hazardous substances into the air, water, soil or soil as a result of its activity.

Placing and storage

Storage containers, barrels in which hazardous substances will be stored, which may contaminate groundwater, must be adequately protected against leakages. The main solutions are spill trays.

EU regulations do not specify what the capacity should be for sump trays. However, for safety reasons, it is assumed that the sump tray capacity should be 100 or 110% of the capacity of the largest container or containers when there are more.

Calculation example of the selection of the sump:

Storage of two barrels with hazardous substances - 2 x 200 liters

Total storage capacity = 400 liters

The largest barrel = 200 liters

Required bath volume = 400 liters

Warehouse position:

• sump trays should be placed on even surfaces, protected against rain,
• the stand should be organized in such a way as to prevent leakage of a dangerous substance beyond the stand,
• drums must not protrude over the edge of the sump tray,
• possible leaks should be clearly visible,
• in the event of a leak, the substance should be quickly recognized, captured and then properly secured,
• the barrel outlet should be above the sump tray,
• escapement equipment must not have drain valves,
• in case of visible corrosion / damage to the sump tray, it must be disposed of in accordance with the regulations,
• in order to test the sump tray tightness, pour water and observe any leaks,
• if the plant has been included in the plant with an increased or high risk of industrial accident, the storage of the substance and the procedure in the event of an accident must be agreed with the unit of the State Fire Service.

Types of sump trays

We distinguish sump trays:

• made of steel - for storing flammable liquids and liquids that may pollute groundwater
• made of polyethylene - for the storage of substances posing a threat to groundwater.

Collective storage

In the case of collective storage of the above-mentioned sump trays, you cannot store substances that may react in contact with each other. In the case of polyethylene bathtubs, the possibility of exothermic reactions should be taken into account (the possibility of damaging the statics of the sump tray).

Strength of materials

Sump trays should be highly resistant to corrosion and chemical substances.