Storing Hazardous Substances with Spill Pallets
It is commonly said that one drop of oil can contaminate up to 1,000 litres of water. Contamination of water threatens a fine or even imprisonment. But what should be done to prevent this from happening at your company? Every day, companies deal with hazardous substances, and they are often unsure about what needs to be stored and how it should be stored so that employees, their facilities, and the environment are safely protected. The following guide answers some crucial FAQs
Spill Pallet Guide - Questions & Answers
How should a spill tray for storing flammable liquids be designed?
Spill trays must be impervious to the stored liquids and contain non-combustible building materials.
For which substances are steel, plastic or stainless steel spill trays suitable?
The material from which a spill tray is made must be suitable for the stored liquids. Steel spill trays should be used to store water-polluting and flammable substances such as oils and lacquers. Available in a galvanized or lacquered version.
Styl steel or plastic spill trays should be used to store aggressive chemicals such as acids and alkalis.
The media resistance list as a proven aid
To select the suitable material for the spill pallet, looking into the safety data sheets of the substances to be stored is recommended. There you will find all relevant information about storage and transport.
Our media resistance list also provides information on suitable materials for various storage media. The corrosion resistance of the spill pallet materials used and their compatibility with the stored substances must be verifiable.
For many chemical substances, spill pallets made of steel (1.0038) can be used, for corrosive substances such as acids and alkali, spill pallets made of polyethylene or stainless steel are required.
| Chemical stored | Concentration | Steel 1). 4) | S-Steel 2) | PE 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | ≤ 40% | ✓ | ||
| Acetaldehyde | max. poss | ✓ | ||
| Acetic acid | ✓ | |||
| Acetone | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Aircraft turbine fuel | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Alcohol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Ammonium hydroxide | ≤ 30% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ammonium nitrate | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ammonium solution | ✓ | |||
| Anti-freeze (car) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Battery acid | ≤ 38% | ✓ | ||
| Benzene | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Benzoic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Bio-Diesel | ✓ | |||
| Boric acid | ≤ 10% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brake fluid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bromine | ✓ | |||
| Butanoic acid | ✓ | |||
| Butanol | max. poss. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Calcium acetate | aqueous | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Calcium chlorate, aqueous solution | ≤ 65% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Calcium hydroxide | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Calcium hypochlorite | saturated | ✓ | ||
| Chlorobenzene | ✓ | |||
| Chloric acid | ≤ 20% | ✓ | ||
| Chlorine | ≤ 97% | ✓ | ||
| Chloroacetic acid | ≤ 50% | ✓ | ||
| Chromic acid | ≤ 20% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Citric acid | ≤ 10% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Crude oil | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Dichloroethylene | max. poss. | ✓ | ||
| Dichloromethane | ✓ | |||
| Diesel fuel | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Ether | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Ethyl acetate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Ethyl chloride | ✓ | |||
| Ethylene glycol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Ferric (II) sulphate | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ferric (III) chloride | saturated | ✓ | ||
| Ferric (III) sulphate | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Formic acid | ✓ | |||
| Fuel | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Gearbox oil, (Hypoid), 110°C | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Glycerol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Glycolic acid | ≤ 37% | ✓ | ||
| Glycolic acid | ≤ 70% | ✓ | ||
| Heated steam motor oil, odour free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Heating oil | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hydrazine | ≤ 10% | ✓ | ||
| Hydrazine hydrate | aqueous | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Hydrochloric acid | concentrated | ✓ | ||
| Hydrogen cyanide | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hydrogen peroxide | ≤ 60% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Isobutanol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Isobutyl acetate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Isobutyl chloride | ✓ | |||
| Isobutyl ether | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chemical stored | Concentration | Steel 1). 4) | S-Steel 2) | PE 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iso-hexane | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Iso-pentane | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Kerosene | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Magnesium carbonate | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Magnesium chloride | aqueous | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Magnesium nitrate | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Magnesium sulphate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Menthol | solid | ✓ | ||
| Methanol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Methyl acetate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Methyl acrylate | ✓ | |||
| Methyl alcohol | ✓ | |||
| Methyl chloride | ✓ | |||
| Motor fuel | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Nitric acid | ≤ 10% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nitrobenzene | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Nitro methane | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Oil | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Oleic acid | max. poss. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Pentanol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Petroleum | max. poss. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Petroleum spirit | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Phenol | 100% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Phosphoric acid | ≤ 5% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Potassium carbonate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Potassium chlorate | ✓ | |||
| Potassium chloride | aqueous | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Potassium chloride | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Potassium hydroxide, aqueous sol. | 50% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Potassium nitrate | 50% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Potassium nitrate | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Potassium phosphate | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Potassium sulphate | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Propanol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Propionic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Salicylic acid | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Silicic acid | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sodium acetate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sodium bisulphate | ✓ | |||
| Sodium bisulphite | aqueous | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sodium carbonate | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sodium chloride | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sodium hydrogen sulphate | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Sodium hydrogen sulphide, aqu. sol. | 30% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sodium hydrogen sulphite | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Sodium hydroxide, aqueous sol. | 50% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sodium hypochlorite solution | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Sodium sulphate | ✓ | |||
| Sodium sulphide | ≤ saturated sol. | ✓ | ||
| Spirits of turpentine | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Sulphuric acid | ≤ 78% | |||
| Sulphuric acid | 95% | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sulphurous acid | saturated | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Toluene | ✓ | |||
| Urea | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Uric acid | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Xylene | ✓ | ✓ |
1) Painted (WN 1.0038) or galvanized (1.0242) steel
2) Stainless steel 1.4301 (V2A)
3) Polyethylene (PE)
4) Galvanized sump pallets are not suitable for the storage of the following liquids: organic and inorganic acids, sodium bicarbonate, caustic potassium carbonate solution, as well as other alkali hydroxides, chlorinated hydrocarbons, amine, nitro compounds, acid chlorides and other chlorides, phenol, aqueous alkaline solutions, nitrile.
What else should be considered when choosing a spill tray or pallet?
Depending on the intended use, spill trays and pallets must be able to cope with different requirements. Spill pallets with integrated forklift pockets are ideal for safe internal transport with a forklift truck.
In addition, it is crucial to consider the collection volume of the tray or pallet, and the spill tray should constantly be thoroughly tested, certified, and compliant with all current regulations.
What should be considered when storing flammable liquids?
The storage space must be suitable; there must be permanent ventilation, explosion protection and structural fire protection.
What is the maximum height of a spill tray when storing flammable liquids?
A spill tray height of 500 mm must not be exceeded because sufficient ventilation is no longer guaranteed. If a higher tray height is required, you can use technical ventilation.
What operator duties apply to spill trays and pallets?
The operator is responsible for the intended use.
Maintenance/servicing.
The spill tray should be kept free from water and dirt.
Damage to the surface protection must be remedied immediately (corrosion).
Regular exams (at least once a week).
The collecting tray (grids) condition must be inspected every two years.
The result must be recorded and submitted at the request of the water authority.
What to do if ...
... a hazardous substance has collected in the tray?
The spill tray should be subjected to an apparent seal test at least once a week. Remove the hazardous substance properly with suitable absorbents and dispose of it safely.
... something goes wrong?
Soak up the leak with an absorbent suitable for storing the hazardous substance. Also, make sure the shape of the absorbent matches the leak. Absorbents are available in three versions: oil, universal and chemical. Find the suitable absorbent for your needs here.
you notice signs of corrosion?
Get an overview of the test certificates and the manufacturer's warranty. If you notice signs of corrosion, the spill pallet should be disposed of following the law. To perform a general leak test, pour water into the tub to check the seal.
I have to transport my spill pallet?
Many spill pallet models have fork pockets that can quickly and safely be transported by forklift from A to B. Individual models are also available on wheels. If a floor spill tray has to be transported, this can be done on a wooden pallet. In any case, care must be taken that the spill tray is not too full that there is a risk of leakage during transport. If you must transport spill pallets outside the workplace and across public roads, legislation for transporting dangerous goods must be considered.
The specialist information on this page has been compiled carefully and to the best of our knowledge and belief. Nevertheless, DENIOS Ltd cannot assume any warranty or liability of any kind, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for the topicality, completeness and correctness either towards the reader or towards third parties. The use of the information and content for your own or third party purposes is therefore at your own risk. In any case, please observe the locally and currently applicable legislation.
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