How To Choose Spill Kits and Refills
Spill kits are available in three main categories: general purpose, oil & fuel and chemical spill kits. By identifying which liquids you need to absorb, you can decide which type of spillage kit you should choose. The table below gives a succinct synopsis of the attributes of each type of spill-absorbent product from Spillshop.
| Type | Chemicals | Solvents | Oils & Fuels | Common Fluids | Used On Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Purpose | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Oil & Fuel | No | Yes | Yes | Some | No |
| Chemical | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Always refer to our Selection Guide for a more comprehensive listing.
Size
There are no written rules as to the size of spillage kit or spill absorbent product that you need to choose. Whether you need to cater for a 20 Litre storage drum or a 1000 Litre IBC, we provide a range of 129 kits available in all three types ranging from 15 Litres to 1100 Litres.
Your own risk assessments and the flexibility of being able to apply an unrestricted, common sense approach will help you determine the size of the spill kit right for you. To make sure your kit can handle a full spillage, it’s worth considering what the size of a full spill will be. Determine the largest ‘likely’ spill from your largest liquid container or holding tank.
Remember: If you store more than 200 Litres of oil/chemicals on-site in containers, they MUST be stored in either a bunded area or on a drip tray/spill pallet.
Read more about the Spillage Regulations
Case Study 1 – IBC
I have an IBC on-site and I have been told I should have a spill kit. What size of kit should I choose?
The IBC should already be on a bund, so in a worst-case scenario of an IBC failure, you would hope that a majority of the liquid will be collected by the bund. Usage of contents means that an IBC is very rarely full. If a forklift tyne were to puncture and move an IBC on its bund, a larger spillage could occur out of the bund. Therefore a spill kit in the region of 100 – 300 Litres may be a common sense size. Always consider a kit with drain protection if the IBC is sited in a sensitive area.
Case Study 2 – 4 x 205 Litre Drums
I have 4 x 205 Litre Drums on site which I have been told I should have a spill kit for. What size of kit should I choose?
These storage drums need to be stored on a spill pallet having a minimum sump capacity of 205 Litres. You should always think along the lines of, ‘how often are all 4 drums full?’ and ‘what is the likelihood of all 4 drums failing/being knocked over at the same time?’. A kit in the region of 100 – 255 Litres may be a common sense size. Always consider a kit with drain protection if the drums are sited in a sensitive area.
Case Study 3 – 6 x 25 Litre Drums
I have 6 x 25 Litre Drums on site which I have been told I should have a spill kit for. What size of kit should I choose?
It is not a legal requirement to store these on a drip tray/spill pallet, although it should always be a consideration and is good housekeeping. We supply a range of 5L & 25L spill trays designed specifically for this at very affordable prices. A kit in the region of 20 – 100 Litres may be a common sense size depending on whether you decide to use spill trays or not. Again, what is the likelihood of all 6 storage drums failing/being knocked over at the same time?
Liquids Stored at Multiple Locations
If you store liquids at multiple locations on-site, consider having smaller spill kits and spill absorbent products at each location with containers that are easy to move or a larger wheeled kit at a central location. Moreover, having a mixture of both allows you to deal instantly with small spills, while for larger spills, allows you to react instantly with the smaller kit whilst the larger kit is sourced from its central location. Having a range of options can reduce your chances of areas being contaminated or damaged by the spill.
Refills
Refills are available for all our kits, saving you money by not having to buy the ‘container’ again. Individual elements of each kit are also available to buy separately.