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What Are The Benefits Of An IBC Bund

Intermediate bulk containers, or IBCs, have grown increasingly popular in a range of industries over the last 20 years. Commonly used to store industrial liquids or hazardous chemicals, IBC containers can be used in a wide variety of roles and are completely reusable, making them a cost-effective way to store a range of liquids and even water.

Typically used for the storage and transport of hazardous and non-hazardous liquids and waste in warehouses and work sites, these reusable, pallet-mounted containers are very handy. Reusable bunds are often used to transfer liquids and, often, there is the risk of spillage and, even with a dedicated, industrial-grade storage unit like an IBC, there is the risk of leakage.

The best way to deal with these spills and leaks is by being proactive and installing an IBC bund to immediately collect and contain any spill or leak before it becomes a hazard or contaminates your workspace.

Does my site need an IBC Bund?

You’ll often find IBC containers and IBC bunds on construction sites or in large warehouses replacing traditional pails, cans, and drums. An IBC container and bund can accommodate a large quantity of liquids, and its versatile design and transportability make it a great fit for this task.

An IBC bund is placed underneath intermediate bulk containers to prevent leaks or spillages from contaminating the surrounding area. They are designed to capture a minimum of 1100 Litres of liquid in the event of an IBC failure, and in doing so comply with all liquid storage regulations.

Any facility that stores, transfers, processes or disposes of chemicals or large quantities of liquids will likely require the use of an intermediate bulk container bund. There are several factors, including the type of liquids being stored and the circumstances under which the bund will be used, that you should take into account when selecting the correct IBC bund for your needs. You should consider:

  • Type of facility/location 
  • Risk levels for leaks/spills
  • What liquids/materials are used onsite
  • Location of storage containers.
  • How much liquid is being stored on site

In many cases, bunds are also recommended for use in facilities where non-hazardous liquids are stored. To ensure you’re following IBC safe storage practices or to determine whether you need one, you can review the GPP 26 guidelines.

What type of IBC bund should I use?

There are two main types of IBC Bunds on the market, steel and plastic. It is a common misconception that steel IBC bunds are universally superior to plastic ones. While steel bunds have their pros, plastic bunds are more commonly used and are much easier to transport and clean.

One aspect to consider when deciding which bund to use in your facility is the type of chemicals/liquids you will be storing. If you are commonly storing non-corrosive chemicals at your facility then it is recommended that plastic IBC bunds are used.

There are 2 main sizes that you can choose from: double or single bunds. Double IBC bunds are often used for storing two IBC’s. Consideration needs to be given to the fact that liquids will not react if they come into contact with each other. Regulations for all IBC bunds state that the spill pallet must have a bund capacity of 25% of the total capacity stored on it or 110% of the largest vessel.

Conclusion

The IBC bund also known as an IBC spill pallet has become ever more increasingly popular over the last 20 years. If you have an IBC on site that contains anything other than water it must either sit in a bunded area or be sited on a bund. Essentially, if you are storing or transporting large amounts of liquids on your site, you’ll want to invest in an IBC Bund.

If you do purchase these effective storage facilities, it is essential that your business follows local guidelines on the use of IBC storage containers. This applies to any liquid, from storing flammable materials, caustic chemicals, petroleum or even pesticides. Fines for non-compliance vastly exceed the cost of purchasing an IBC spill pallet. All IBC bunding from Spillshop is manufactured in the UK.

Every spill pallet supplied by Spillshop will come with the option of either coming covered or with a rain cover. Depending on where your IBC and bund are sited will determine whether you need these options. If you need more information on bunds or guidance on storage, contact our team today.