Spill Containment Berms: Foam Wall vs Collapsible vs Drive Through vs Hard Wall
Quick Answer
Pick a berm by how things get in and out of it. If vehicles or forklifts drive in and out all day, use a foam wall berm, which squashes flat under tires and pops back up. If you need taller walls for a big tanker or frac tank, use a collapsible or drive through Ultimate berm with 12 inch walls. For a large, long term pad, a hard wall system like the Ultra-Containment Wall M2 gives you 1 to 3 foot walls. For a drip under a parked truck or a small leak, a mini foam wall berm or a spill berm strip is plenty. Then size the berm so it holds at least your largest tank, plus room for rain if it sits outside.
The five types of spill containment berms
| Type | How the walls work | Drive in and out | Wall height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foam wall | Foam sidewalls compress under tires, then spring back | Yes, from any side | 4 inches standard | Vehicles, equipment, maintenance bays |
| Mini foam wall | Small foam walled pad | Yes | 6 inches | Drips under a truck, small tanks, quick response |
| Collapsible wall | PVC supports swivel up or down | Lower a side to load | 12 inches | Drums, IBCs, frac tanks |
| Ultimate (drive through) | Spring back end walls, collapsible side walls | Yes, hands free through the ends | 12 inches | Tankers and trucks that need more capacity |
| Hard wall (M2) | Modular rigid walls with a poly liner | No, built as a pad | 1, 2, or 3 feet | Large, semi permanent containment |
All of the Ultra-Containment Berms except the M2 are made from either 22 oz PVC or 28 oz Copolymer 2000. Copolymer 2000 handles a wider temperature range (down to minus 25°F and up to 160°F, versus minus 20°F to 150°F for PVC) and a broader range of chemicals. Check the chemical compatibility guide for whatever you're storing.
Foam wall berms: for constant vehicle traffic
Foam wall berms are the go to for maintenance bays, wash pads, and parking spots where trucks and equipment roll in and out. The foam sidewalls compress when a tire rolls over them and spring back after, so no one has to lower or raise anything.
- Foam Wall, 12' x 40' x 4", 22 oz PVC, Part #8478
- Foam Wall, 10' x 40' x 4", Copolymer 2000, Part #8575
- Foam Wall, 15' x 15' x 4", Copolymer 2000, Part #8586
The tradeoff is height. A 4 inch wall holds a lot less than a 12 inch wall on the same footprint, so check the capacity against your largest tank before you buy.
Mini foam wall berms: for drips and small leaks
The Mini Foam Wall has 6 inch foam walls on a small 22 oz PVC pad. Slide it under a leaking truck, a generator, or a small tank and you are done. Sizes run from 2' x 2' up to 6' x 6', including the 5' x 5', Part #8846 and 6' x 6', Part #8847.
Collapsible wall berms: taller walls for tanks and drums
Collapsible wall berms use rugged PVC supports. Swivel the feet one way and the wall stands up. Swivel them back and the wall drops so a forklift can set a tank or pallet of drums inside. The Collapsible Wall, 10' x 10' x 1', Copolymer 2000, Part #8400 is a common size for drums, IBCs, and small tanks.
Ultimate berms: drive through with 12 inch walls
The Ultimate model combines both ideas. The end walls use a spring back hinge, so a truck drives straight in and out without anyone touching the berm. The long side walls are collapsible, and all the walls stand 12 inches tall. That makes it the pick when you need drive through access and serious capacity, like a tanker or a vacuum truck.
Sizes run from 4' x 6' up to 15' x 66', including the 12' x 26' x 1', Part #8502, 12' x 60' x 1', Part #8505, and 15' x 66' x 1', Part #8507.
Hard wall containment: the Ultra-Containment Wall M2
When you need a big, long term containment area, a modular hard wall system beats a fabric berm. The Ultra-Containment Wall M2 snaps together from rigid wall sections and corners with a 30 mil textured polyethylene liner. It comes in 1, 2, and 3 foot heights and can be taken apart and moved.
Complete systems with a usable area of 15' x 55':
You can also buy individual 2 ft wall sections, Part #8880 to build a custom layout.
Need to block a spill, not hold one?
The Ultra-Spill Berm, 10 ft, Part #2100 is a 2 1/4 inch tall flexible strip you lay on the floor to keep a spill away from a drain or doorway. You can cut it with a utility knife and join lengths together. It is not meant to be driven over.
How to size a containment berm
Start with the rule: the berm needs to hold at least the full volume of your largest tank or container. If it sits outside, add room for rain. (See our IBC containment guide for the EPA and SPCC details.)
For a quick rough check:
Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Wall height (ft) x 7.48 = gallons
| Berm | Rough full capacity |
|---|---|
| Mini Foam Wall, 6' x 6' x 6" | about 135 gallons |
| Collapsible Wall, 10' x 10' x 1' | about 750 gallons |
| Foam Wall, 12' x 40' x 4" | about 1,200 gallons |
| Ultimate, 12' x 26' x 1' | about 2,330 gallons |
| M2 1 ft system, 15' x 55' usable | about 6,170 gallons |
This is the theoretical full volume. Real usable capacity is lower once you subtract the space taken by the tank or vehicle inside, and sloped or soft walls. Use the capacity on the product spec sheet for your final pick, or send us your tank size and we'll check it.
Setup tips
- Sweep the ground first. Gravel and debris can puncture the floor of a fabric berm.
- Use a ground tarp under the berm on rough surfaces for extra puncture protection.
- Keep a repair kit on hand. It is a patch of matching material applied with an industrial heat gun.
- Outdoors, pump out rainwater regularly so the berm keeps its capacity.
Get a containment berm quote
Tell us what goes in the berm (truck, tanker, tank, drums), its size or capacity, indoors or outdoors, and your delivery address. We'll match the right model and size, quote freight to your site, and confirm lead time. Custom sizes and heights are available on most models. Email orders@industrialandsafetysupply.com or use the button below.
Request a Containment Berm Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive over a spill containment berm?
Foam wall berms are made for it. The foam sidewalls compress under tires and spring back. Ultimate berms let vehicles drive through the spring back end walls. Collapsible and hard wall berms are not driven over, and a flexible spill berm strip should not be driven on.
How do I figure out what size berm I need?
Multiply length by width by wall height in feet, then by 7.48 to get gallons. The berm should hold at least your largest tank, plus room for rain outdoors. Confirm with the capacity on the spec sheet.
What is the difference between PVC and Copolymer 2000 berms?
Copolymer 2000 is heavier (28 oz versus 22 oz), works in a wider temperature range, and resists a broader range of chemicals. PVC costs less and works well for many oil and fuel applications. Check the compatibility guide for your chemical.
Can I get a custom size berm?
Yes. UltraTech makes containment berms in custom lengths and widths, and custom heights on most models.
Can a damaged berm be repaired?
Yes. Repair kits include a patch of matching material and instructions. You apply it with an industrial heat gun.
What is the best berm for a tanker truck?
A drive through berm with tall walls, like the Ultimate model with 12 inch walls, because tankers carry a lot of liquid and need to pull straight in and out. Size it to the tanker's largest compartment or full volume, depending on your SPCC plan.