Secondary Containment Requirements Explained: A Practical Guide for Industrial Facilities

If your facility stores oil, chemicals, fuel, or other hazardous liquids, you may be required to implement secondary containment. Understanding what that means — and how to comply — can help reduce environmental risk, avoid costly cleanup, and maintain operational safety.

This practical guide explains what secondary containment is, when it is required, and which spill containment systems are commonly used in industrial environments.

What Is Secondary Containment?

Secondary containment refers to a system designed to capture leaks or spills from primary containers before they reach the floor, soil, or drainage systems. It acts as a backup protection layer for drums, totes, tanks, and other liquid storage containers.

Many facilities reference EPA regulation 40 CFR 264.175 when evaluating containment needs, which outlines requirements for container storage areas handling hazardous waste. While specific obligations vary depending on your operation, secondary containment is widely considered a best practice for industrial liquid storage.

When Is Secondary Containment Required?

Secondary containment may be required when:

• Storing hazardous waste in containers
• Managing bulk oil or fuel storage
• Operating in regulated industrial or municipal environments
• Handling chemicals with spill risk

Facilities often implement containment proactively to reduce liability and improve site safety, even when not explicitly mandated.

Common Secondary Containment Solutions

1. Spill Containment Pallets (Best for 55-Gallon Drums)

Spill containment pallets are rigid platforms with built-in sumps designed for drum storage areas. They are commonly used in warehouses, maintenance facilities, and production environments.

• Designed for 55-gallon drums
• Defined footprint
• Forklift accessible
• Permanent installation

View our spill containment pallets and drum containment systems for structured drum storage containment.

2. IBC Containment (Best for Bulk Liquid Totes)

For facilities storing large liquid totes or intermediate bulk containers, IBC containment platforms provide higher-capacity sump volumes.

• Designed for IBCs and totes
• Bulk liquid storage
• Industrial processing environments

Explore our IBC containment systems for bulk storage applications.

3. Spill Berms (Best for Equipment & Temporary Areas)

Spill berms provide flexible, deployable containment for vehicles, equipment, fueling zones, and temporary work areas.

• Portable and flexible footprint
• Ideal for temporary projects
• Suitable for outdoor applications

Browse our spill berm systems for adaptable containment solutions.

How to Choose the Right Secondary Containment System

To determine the appropriate solution, evaluate:

• Container type (drum, tote, equipment)
• Number of containers
• Indoor vs outdoor location
• Required sump capacity
• Permanent vs temporary setup

Selecting the right containment system improves safety, reduces environmental exposure, and helps maintain regulatory readiness.

Final Thoughts

Secondary containment is more than a regulatory requirement — it is a risk management strategy. Whether your facility stores drums, bulk totes, or operates fueling zones, choosing the correct spill containment system protects your operation and your environment.

If you need assistance selecting the right containment solution, our team can help guide you to the appropriate system for your site.