Storage of flammable and water hazardous liquids in accordance with regulations

Those who work with substances that are hazardous to water or are flammable are obliged to store hazardous substances in compliance with the law. In order to avoid risks to both people and the environment, a number of legal regulations specify clear requirements for the storage of these hazardous substances. These requirements must be strictly implemented, in particular in commercial or industrial operations.

You will find information on regulations and specifications for legally compliant storage of water hazardous and flammable liquids and for choosing the right sump tray right here. By principle, please observe the country-specific regulations, specification and laws that are binding for you when it comes to approvals, specified sump capacities, etc.

To ensure that a sump tray both fulfils the legal requirements and caters to your needs, a few questions should be answered before making a purchase in order to ensure that the right product is used.

The volume of hazardous substances being stored determines the required sump capacity of the sump tray. A sump tray that is too small not only presents a high risk for the environment, but can also result in high costs for cleaning and decontamination, as well as fines being imposed in the event of a leak.

Sump trays are designed for a specific storage capacity, and what this is, in turn, depends on the type of container being stored (small containers, drums, IBCs). Sump trays that were purchased for specific requirements are often used for other purposes. This can result in the max. load being exceeded or an insufficient sump capacity, e.g. if drums are placed on a tray that was actually intended for storing small containers. An oversized sump tray, on the other hand, takes up unnecessary space and makes handling more difficult.

The resilience of the materials used for the sump tray and their compatibility with the stored substances must be verified. The user is responsible for this. Please observe the list of resistant materials and hazardous substance data sheets for the medium being stored.

You can see an overview of sump trays for the storage of water hazardous and flammable liquids here:

_{* Additional requirements for the storage space must be observed. (Fire protection, explosion protection.)}

A grate is virtually indispensable for a sump tray. It ensures even weight distribution and therefore increases stability, and larger containers in particular are much easier to place on a grate than manoeuvring them into the tray using a lifting device. Placing containers directly in the sump tray reduces the sump capacity and, in the event of a leak, the containers are standing in the escaping liquid. This means that not only will the sump tray require cleaning, but also the containers themselves.

When hazardous substances are not only being stored, but also have to be handled (for example, when filling or refilling) in particular, splash protection walls and filling containers ensure greater safety. Filling attachments or drum stands make work easier.

Sump trays may only be installed in areas protected from precipitation, as any water that enters will reduce the sump capacity. Sump trays must be installed on level, sealed surfaces to ensure that the specified sump capacity can be complied with, and that the stored containers have a secure stand. Whether collision protection is necessary depends on the conditions in the space.

The containers must be stored on the tray in a way that ensures they do not protrude above the tray. This prevents them from falling down and, in the event of a leak, that any escaping liquids are collected. When using a container on the tray to fill other containers, ensure that the opening is above the tray. If this is not possible due to the dimensions of the container, a filling container should be used so that leaks from the tap and dripping liquids are safely collected. If the height required for filling into small containers is too small, or if the liquid is highly viscous, the use of a raised, sloping surface is recommended.

Plastic sump trays should not be exposed to direct UV light or temperatures above 30 °C for prolonged periods, as this can impair the material in the long term. Steel sump trays should always be positioned at a sufficient distance from other metal surfaces to avoid contact corrosion, and they should not be exposed to moisture for long periods of time.

When storing hazardous substances together in and on sump trays, in addition to the ban on combined storage, it must also be ensured that no substances are stored above a tray that could react with each other when in contact. Not only the suitability of the respective tray must be observed, but also potential exothermic reactions by the substances, especially in the case of polyethylene sump trays, which can result in the structural integrity of the sump tray being destroyed due to the resulting heat.