Chemstore provides bund inspection, integrity testing and repair services for businesses across Ireland. Our engineers can visually inspect secondary containment, assess its condition and compatibility, carry out appropriate integrity testing and identify defects requiring repair. Following the assessment, Chemstore can provide a written report and test documentation to support environmental management, maintenance records and applicable EPA licence or site requirements.
A bund is a secondary containment system designed to contain a leak or spill if the primary tank, drum, IBC or other container fails. Effective bunding helps prevent hazardous or polluting liquids from escaping into soil, drains, groundwater or surface water.
The Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 provide an important part of Ireland’s legal framework for preventing water pollution. Bund inspection and testing may also be required under Environmental Protection Agency licence conditions or other site-specific environmental requirements.
The appropriate capacity, construction and testing regime for a bund depends on the materials stored, the quantity present, the design of the containment system and any environmental licence conditions that apply to the site.
For EPA-regulated facilities, secondary containment requirements commonly use a capacity based on the greater of:
The bund should also be constructed from materials compatible with the substances it may need to contain and maintained so that its containment integrity is not compromised.
There is no single universal testing interval that applies to every bund in Ireland. The required frequency should be determined from applicable EPA licence conditions, site requirements, risk assessment, the type and age of the bund and its condition.
For many EPA-licensed industrial facilities, bund integrity testing is specified at intervals such as every three years. More frequent inspection or testing may be appropriate where the bund is damaged, located in an environmentally sensitive area, contains particularly hazardous substances or has undergone alteration or repair.
Routine visual inspections should also form part of site maintenance so that cracking, corrosion, damaged seals, pipe penetrations, vegetation and other deterioration can be identified before containment integrity is lost.
The appropriate test method depends on the construction, condition and purpose of the bund. Hydrostatic testing is commonly used for suitable containment structures, with the bund filled with water to an appropriate test level and monitored for evidence of leakage or loss of integrity.
Before hydrostatic testing is undertaken, the structure should be assessed to determine whether filling it with water is safe and appropriate. Alternative inspection or engineering assessment methods may be required where conventional hydrostatic testing is unsuitable.
The duration and test procedure should be selected in accordance with the relevant engineering guidance, environmental requirements and characteristics of the containment structure rather than applying one standard test period to every bund.
A bund must be suitable for the liquid it is intended to contain. The materials used to construct or line a bund should therefore be compatible with the chemicals, fuels or oils stored within the containment area.
For example, a steel containment system may not be appropriate for certain corrosive substances unless suitable corrosion-resistant protection is provided. Safety Data Sheets and information about the stored chemicals should be considered when assessing the suitability of the containment material.
A bund inspection can consider the physical condition of the containment structure and any features that could compromise its ability to retain a spill.
Typical areas reviewed include:
Bulk storage tanks, drums and IBCs containing fuels, oils, chemicals and other potentially polluting substances can create a significant environmental risk if primary containment fails.
Regular inspection and appropriate integrity testing help identify deterioration before a bund is required to contain an actual spill. Maintaining records of inspections, testing and repairs can also help organisations demonstrate that secondary containment is being actively managed as part of their environmental controls.
Contact Chemstore today for further information on bund inspection, integrity testing and repair services in Ireland.
061 327 792
