Appendix F. Secondary Containment For New Construction and Existing Facilities
Appendix F. Secondary Containment For New Construction and Existing Facilities
Appendix F. Secondary Containment For New Construction and Existing Facilities
Abstract
This Appendix reviews the regulations, requirements, and recommendations for
secondary containment in both new and existing facilities. It provides guidance on
secondary containment for equipment that processes, conveys, and stores solids and
liquids. The general principles relating to secondary containment are reviewed,
followed by guidelines for specific cases. References are provided to direct the
reader to the appropriate environmental regulations. This appendix also provides
example designs typically used for both new construction and existing facilities.
The reader should review the Introduction, Legal Requirements, and Environmental
Factors sections of this Appendix before proceeding to a specific section. Each of
the sections contain information on applicable regulations, recommendations for
secondary containment in absence of regulations, and a discussion on designs for
both new and existing facilities.
Contents
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Page
F1.0
Introduction
F-3
F1.1
Secondary Containment
F1.2
F1.3
Environmental Factors
F1.4
F2.0
Legal Requirements
F2.1
F2.2
F2.3
F2.4
F3.0
Environmental Factors
F3.1
F3.2
F3.3
F3.4
F4.0
Designs
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F-7
F-9
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Appendix F
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F5.0
F-9
F5.1
F5.2
F5.3
F5.4
F6.0
F6.1
F6.2
F6.3
F6.4
F6.5
F7.0
F7.1
F7.2
F7.3
F7.4
F8.0
F8.1
F8.2
F8.3
F8.4
F9.0
Process Areas
F9.1
General Information
F9.2
F9.3
F9.4
F9.5
F10.0
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F11.0
References
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F1.0
Appendix F
Introduction
F1.1
Secondary Containment
Secondary containment refers to the measures taken to ensure that material leakage
does not spread from the process in which it was generated to the adjacent soil,
groundwater, surface water, or local environment. Secondary containment is also
used as a method for minimizing air emissions from process piping and equipment.
Secondary containment should be considered for all equipment that processes,
conveys, and stores solids and liquids. Secondary containment strategies include
paved surfaces, collection systems, impermeable berms or walls, double-wall
vessels, tanks, and piping.
Secondary containment is required in two circumstances:
F1.2
1.
2.
A consideration of environmental factors and a risk analysis lead to the conclusion that secondary containment is necessary.
F1.3
Environmental Factors
Even when secondary containment is not legally required, sound engineering judgment may dictate the need for implementation of a containment strategy.
Secondary containment can be inexpensive insurance against substantial liabilities.
F1.4
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Appendix F
2.
3.
4.
F2.0
1.
2.
3.
Legal Requirements
Public health and the environment are protected through a series of regulations
designed to protect the air, land, surface waters, and groundwater. The regulations
are divided into categories based on the materials they regulate: hazardous waste,
oil spill prevention, air pollution, and water pollution.
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Appendix F
containment is also usually provided for ancillary equipment like piping, pumps,
and valves.
In addition to requirements for hazardous waste, secondary containment is also
required when storing used oil as defined in CFR Section 279 and when storing
hazardous substances (fuels, chemicals) in USTs, as discussed in CFR Section 280.
40 CFR 261
40 CFR 262
40 CFR 268
40 CFR 279
40 CFR 280
40 CFR 302
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F2.4
Appendix F
F3.0
Environmental Factors
An analysis of environmental factors may dictate that secondary containment is a
prudent choice, even in the absence of Federal or local regulations. Deciding
whether secondary containment is justified in absence of any legal requirements is
based on a consideration of the environmental factors reviewed in this section.
Additionally, the design engineer should undertake a cost benefit analysis to determine if the costs associated with secondary containment are justified in light of any
potential damage.
Aboveground equipment manufacturing pure benzene or benzene-containing gasoline, for example, would not be subject to secondary containment regulations.
Nevertheless, release to the soil of either material would very likely create a level of
contamination sufficient to trigger an expensive and complicated cleanup. Benzene
is a carcinogen and considered toxic in drinking water when present at greater than
5 parts per billion. Although equipment handling benzene is not required to meet
secondary containment standards (because it is not handling wastes or storing a
hazardous substance in an underground tank), it may be appropriate to build to such
standards if release is considered a significant risk.
Chemical toxicity, chemical mobility, persistence of chemicals, local geology, soil
conditions, and sensitivity of the site environment should all be considered when
evaluating the need to design for secondary containment of any material. Also,
regulations are changing in this area and secondary containment could be required
for new aboveground storage tanks at some point in the future. Verify the design of
any new facilities with the appropriate professional.
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Appendix F
health or the environment, and therefore, are not a priority for secondary containment.
Examples of problem chemicals include benzene, light-end petroleum fractions
(like gasoline fractions which contain benzene), and aromatic solvents. These
chemicals typically have a low viscosity, are mobile and toxic.
Methanol is another compound which might require secondary containment based
on a consideration of environmental factors. Methanol is a good solvent for other
organics, is toxic to bacteria at concentrations greater than a few hundred parts per
million, and is water soluble. Thus, depending on the circumstances, a methanol
spill will dissolve and mobilize other organics in a soil, move them into the groundwater, and kill bacteria that might otherwise degrade the organics, thus moving
them offsite.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons should also give rise to secondary containment considerations. They are very mobile, mildly soluble in water, slow to degrade and dense.
Thus, they are quick to move from shallow aquifers into deeper aquifers and are
very difficult to remove. These characteristics should make the design engineer
seriously consider secondary containment.
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Appendix F
worse. The need for secondary containment is less if precautions are already in
place to intercept any migration of existing toxins.
F3.4
F4.0
Designs
Designs typically used for secondary containment of trenches and sumps, aboveground and underground piping systems, aboveground storage tanks, underground
storage tanks, and process areas are discussed in each of the following sections.
Sample designs for new and existing facilities are illustrated in Figures F-1 through
F-12, located at the end of this Appendix. The figures are schematic in nature and
should be developed further for a particular case.
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Appendix F
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Appendix F
areas, at tank entries, at vessel and pipe cleanouts, and where there is frequent maintenance.
It is particularly important that construction materials selected for sumps and
trenches be compatible with potential spills in order to prevent cracks and further
release. Trenches should be designed (sloped) to be free of collected material and
sumps should be emptied frequently.
The cost of secondary containment must be weighed against the probability of a
leak occurring and the cost and consequences of an actual leak. Inspection
programs, corrosion control, and other efforts can reduce the probability of
prolonged leakage. Use of secondary containment is a judgment call involving
many factors including the specific properties of the chemicals which might be
released, materials of construction, local hydrogeology, and existing site contamination. (Refer to Section F3.0, Environmental Factors for further information).
F5.3
All joint sealants and waterstops must be of a material compatible with the
product being contained.
The surface of the concrete that can come into contact with the contained material may need to be coated or lined to protect it from damage.
The surface of any metal may need to be coated to protect it from the product
being contained.
The following drawing and figures show designs for new construction:
Note
Standard drawing Secondary containment and leak detection details for concrete
GD-S1119-2
basins. (This drawing is located in the Civil and Structural
Manual, Volume 2, in the Standard Drawings And Forms
Section.)
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Figure F-1
Figure F-2
Figure F-3
Figure F-4
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Appendix F
F5.4
Figure F-1
Figure F-2
Figure F-3
Another alternative is to remove existing trenches and sumps and install new
secondary containment trenches and sumps. However, this method can be disruptive, expensive, and difficult to complete.
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Appendix F
tions where the primary piping is based on pressure ( 15 psig or 0 psig), the
secondary containment system should be designed to the same rating unless:
1.
2.
The systems annulus is designed with at least one open end. Consider the
possibility of pressure accumulation in the annulus if the fluid being transported has a solids content.
At least one low point drain and high point vent should be provided in the annulus,
except where the low point is the end of the system, and the system is designed as
an open-ended system.
The design engineer should consider the effects of differential thermal expansion
and contraction (if applicable), and insure that sufficient flexibility is inherent in the
layout of the system so that it will function properly and without failure. Alternatively, the system can be devised with a restrained design such that each of the
components and joints have sufficient strength to withstand the loads that may be
imposed on them. Expansion joints should not be installed as part of the primary
piping system unless they are readily accessible for maintenance.
In aboveground installations, expansion devices, joints or couplings may be used on
the outer jacket in order to accommodate all or a portion of the thermal expansion
and/or contraction. The design engineer should take into account the fact that while
such devices can be used to alleviate stresses due to differential thermal expansion/contraction, the system as a whole must be laid out to accommodate the differential growth.
In underground installations, the outer jacket is restrained by soil friction and
changes in direction. The design engineer should be aware that in a restrained
design, the outer jacket is not free to expand and contract simultaneously with the
primary pipe.
The primary piping system and the secondary containment piping system should be
tested. When testing the secondary containment piping, caution should be taken so
as not to collapse the primary pipe system due to the external pressures that are
imposed on it.
Systems where there is a likelihood of false leaks due to moisture condensation
should be purged with an inert gas.
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Appendix F
There are many types of leakage detectors on the market. Section 544 of the Civil
and Structural Manual discusses various types of leak detection for double pipe
and trough and trench containment systems. Three types of leak detectors, observation monitoring, point detection, and continuous monitoring, are discussed below.
Observation monitoring requires inspecting and gathering samples at a series of low
points where liquids collect. The presence of a liquid at these low points is
assumed to indicate leakage in the upstream system until sample analysis indicates
otherwise. This type of system is shown in Figure F-5.
Point detection is another containment strategy worth considering. Point detection
involves an electronic device that indicates the presence of liquids. The presence of
liquids will electronically send a signal to either a control panel or alarm circuit
indicating a leak upstream. This type of system is shown in Figure F-5.
Continuous monitoring is usually done with a leak detection cable or a vapor detection tube within the secondary containment. In either system, the leak detection
device is continuous along the length of the system being protected, and is automatically monitored. This type of system is shown in Figure F-6.
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Appendix F
CFR 260-279) definitions and handling requirements for hazardous wastes and
constituents commonly encountered in refining environments.
As a general rule, air pollution regulations do not require secondary containment.
However, in 40 CFR 60, the Clean Air Act sets New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAP). NSPS and NESHAP require implementation of technology that
controls emissions to the fullest extent possible. This technology is known as
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT). Fugitive emissions are regulated through specified Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs, which may
apply to the appurtenances of the tank. Emissions of 189 substances, including
benzene, benzene from gasoline, cresols, chlorinated solvents and aromatics, are
also covered under this regulation.
Refer to the CAA (40 CFR 60) and Air Pollution Control Guidance Document,
March 22, 1993 with updates (CRTC), and Fugitive Air Toxic Reduction Design
Guidelines, April 19, 1991 with updates (CRTC), for a summary of applicable air
pollution regulations including design guidelines and specifications. (These documents are available from CRTCs Health, Environment & Safety Group; CTN-2424826).
Secondary containment is required for new hazardous waste treatment, storage and
disposal (TSD) facilities. Tanks handling, storage, treating, and disposal systems
must be constructed and operated in compliance with 264.193(b), (c), and (f).
Refer to 112.7 for oil storage tank construction guidelines.
40 CFR 264
Regulation for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) Facilities, Subpart J - Tank
Systems. Note that secondary containment would not be required
if the tank is part of a WWT unit.
264.193(b) Secondary containment systems must be designed
to prevent the release of hazardous wastes, and must
include leak detection and monitoring capability,
which may be by instrumentation or visual observation.
264.193(c) Defines requirements for materials of construction,
of foundations, of leak detection systems, and specifies operating capability such as containment
volume and response times.
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F7.2
This section applies to aboveground and underground bulk storage tanks for oil. The focus is on
preventing contamination of surface waters. Belowground tanks are to be double-walled with leak
sensing and collection.
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Appendix F
installations. Figures F-8 and F-9 (this Appendix) show tanks with lined dikes and
lined sumps.
F7.4
F8.0
USTs holding petroleum need not be double-walled, but must have leak detection
capability as specified in 40 CFR 280.41. USTs holding hazardous wastes or
hazardous substances must be double-walled (40 CFR 280.42) and meet the
design requirements of 280 Subpart B and D (leak detection).
USTs require secondary containment under 280.42 if they handle materials
defined as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, three exemptions from secondary containment, remove some USTs from the requirements of
280.42. They are:
280.10(b)(1) Any UST holding hazardous wastes is covered by the RCRA.
280.10(b)(2) Any wastewater treatment tank in a Clean Water Act WWT unit.
280.10(b)(6) Any emergency spill or overflow containment UST which is expeditiously emptied after use.
Except for the exemptions noted above, secondary containment is required for
hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities and when storing
hazardous substances as defined in CERCLA. USTs that handle, storage, treating
and disposal systems must be constructed and operated in compliance with 280,
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Subparts B, C and D. Refer to 112.7 for UST oil storage tank construction guidelines.
40 CFR 280 Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for
Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks (UST). Note
that this regulation does not apply to USTs in a Waste Water
Treating (WWT) unit, because those are regulated by the Clean
Water Act (CWA).
280 Subpart B
280 Subpart C
280 Subpart D
This section applies to aboveground and underground bulk storage tanks for oil. The focus is
preventing contamination of surface waters.
Below-ground tanks are to be double-walled with
leak sensing and collection.
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Appendix F
containment must be weighed against the probability of a leak occurring and the
cost and consequences of leaking. Inspection programs, corrosion control, and
other efforts can reduce the probability of prolonged leakage. Use of secondary
containment is a judgment call involving many factors including the specific properties of the chemicals which might be released, materials of construction, local
hydrogeology, and existing site contamination. (Refer to the Section on Environmental Factors for further information.)
F8.3
F8.4
F9.0
Process Areas
F9.1
General Information
Secondary containment in process areas is not specifically mandated except for
units processing or handling materials defined as hazardous wastes by the RCRA.
Secondary containment must be provided in units handling RCRA hazardous
wastes (40 CFR 264.193). Examples of compliance include, double-wall vessels
and piping, walls and berms around tanks, and addition of an impervious surface
cover. Piping, fittings, etc., which can be visually inspected on a daily basis may be
exempt from secondary containment requirements; however, judgment should be
exercised before relying on this exception. Refer to the Section on Legal Requirements for further information.
Determining whether secondary containment is justified for units handling nonhazardous constituents or wastes, requires an analysis of the following factors:
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Appendix F
applicable regulations
Paved surfaces and catchment systems may provide the secondary containment to
piping, tanks and reactors. Accordingly, double-wall vessels and piping are seldom
necessary in aboveground service.
Sludges that are generated by the mixing of process wastewaters and oily wastes,
and by contamination of stormwater with oily wastes in refineries, are F037
hazardous wastes. As a rule, leaks and spills of refining process materials and
hazardous wastes and hazardous constituents should be segregated from stormwater. Furthermore, they should be isolated and recovered within process units and
not allowed to exit the unit boundaries. This will minimize hazardous waste
management costs.
Non-RCRA process areas experiencing drips, spills and other contamination should
generally be surfaced with an impermeable material. Concrete or asphalt is usually
sufficient to prevent contamination of soil or groundwater, or releases to surface
waters. In some services it may be prudent to add membranes or coatings. The
important factors here are material resistance to abrasion, potential drips and spills,
and selection of a surface material which will not develop cracks. Runoff from nonhazardous waste service is regulated by either SPCC or NPDES requirements.
Consideration of the relevant factors presented here will often lead to the decision
to provide continuous, sealed drainage surfaces. (Refer to the Sections on Legal
Requirements and Environmental Factors for further information.)
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In the case of process areas, surface paving is recommended to intercept spills and
prevent contamination of the ground or groundwater. The cost of secondary
containment must be weighed against the probability of a leak occurring and the
cost and consequences of leaking. Inspection programs, corrosion control, and
other efforts can reduce the probability of prolonged leakage. Use of secondary
containment is a judgment call involving many factors including the specific properties of the chemicals which might be released, materials of construction, local
hydrogeology, and existing site contamination. (Refer to the Section on Environmental Factors for further information.)
F9.4
F9.5
Areas designed for secondary containment should use monolithic pours whenever possible. Waterstops should be used where joints are required.
All joint sealants and waterstops shall be of a material compatible with the
product being contained.
All containment areas should have at least one collection point from which
spills can be removed.
Refer to Figure F-12 for a design typically used for new construction requiring
secondary containment.
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Add new concrete on top of existing paving to withstand maintenance loadings. This includes waterstops, joint sealants, and new curbs. This alternative
is viable only if the change in elevation is acceptable.
The considerations listed in Section 9.4, Designs for New Construction, are
applicable to existing process areas.
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Appendix F
F11.0 References
June 1997
1.
2.
Carl C. Faller, In-Place Rehabilitation of Process Sewers, Trenchless Technology, July 1994.
3.
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Fig. F-1
Appendix F
Concrete Trench Within Concrete Trench Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
Fig. F-2
Steel Trenches Within Concrete Trenches Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
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Fig. F-3
Steel Sump Within Concrete Sump Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
Fig. F-4
Prefabricated Double Contained Trench Courtesy of DuPont Engineering Existing Trenchless Sumps
Secondary Containment
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Fig. F-5
Appendix F
Visual Detection and Point Detection Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
Fig. F-6
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Appendix F
Fig. F-7
Fig. F-8
Storage Tank With Ringwall Foundation Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
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Fig. F-9
Appendix F
Storage Tank With Earth Foundation Courtesy of American Society of Civil Engineers
Figure is schematic in nature and
should not be used for design.
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Appendix F
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