SpillBunds

A spill bund is a secondary containment system designed to catch any leaks or spills from drums, IBCs, or other containers stored above it. It's a legal requirement for storing oils and many chemicals, protecting soil, drains and watercourses from contamination. Beyond regulatory storage, they're also handy for general workshop spill control, mixing stations and wash-down areas.

UK guidance requires the bund to hold at least 110% of the capacity of the largest single container stored within it, or 25% of the total volume of everything stored, whichever is greater. For a single 205-litre drum, that means a minimum bund capacity of around 226 litres. If you're storing multiple drums or IBCs together, check the total combined volume rather than sizing per item.

Yes, but chemical compatibility with the bund material matters more than it does with oils. Polyethylene bunds handle most common chemicals and diesel well, but some solvents and acids can degrade certain plastics over time. Always check the manufacturer's chemical resistance guidance against the specific substance you're storing before committing.

Most of our spill bunds are UV-stabilised polyethylene or GRP and cope fine with permanent outdoor use. Open-top bunds without a lid or cover will collect rainwater, though, which eats into your spill capacity and needs to be checked and drained off regularly. If the site is exposed, a lidded or roofed bund is worth the extra outlay to avoid this maintenance.

Drum bunds are sized around 205-litre steel or plastic drums, typically holding one, two or four at a time with a raised grid to keep them off standing liquid. IBC pallet bunds are larger, flat-decked units designed to take the footprint and weight of a 1000-litre IBC, often with a built-in sump and drainage point. Which you need depends entirely on the containers you're storing, not just the volume.

Small drum bunds are usually light enough to move by hand, but larger IBC bunds and multi-drum units are heavy and awkward on a standard kerbside delivery. Check the product weight and dimensions before ordering, and arrange suitable lifting or handling equipment on-site if needed. Let us know in advance if access is restricted so we can flag any delivery limitations.