Underground Spill Containment

[geolor]

We have an alcohol storage room (capacity ~ 50 45-gal-drums) connected to an emergency underground spill containment tank (of 500 gal). The insurance company is concerned that the tank volume is not big enough to contain the fire/sprinkler water once it's activated & that the spill will flow back to the property when full and cause major damage.

Any advice is appreciated. Should we connect the high level alarm to a pump which will activate & pump the liquid out to an open field ? How popular was that practice ? Any names/contractors ? Thank you.

 

[saxon]

geolor, How was this 500 gal. capacity derived? Most secondary containment operations are set at 110%. That would require 2475 gal. capacity if worst case scenario is 50 drums @ 45 gal. per.

As for fire conditions, I don't think you could put in a tank large enough to capture fire water. Diking of the area may be a possibility, but I'd be more concerned about BLEVE control. In the case of fire, alcohol will vaporize and support combustion. Not runoff to the ground.

BTW, who is your insurance underwriter? You may want to call in Factory Mutual to inspect and give recommendations.

Hope this helps.
saxon