Secondary Containment: Why it Matters

Secondary containment structures guard against leaks, spills, and overfills of hazardous chemicals. The right coating system transforms a bare concrete or steel basin into a sealed, chemically inert barrier—minimizing environmental impact, protecting assets, and ensuring worker safety.

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1. Leak Prevention and Impermeability

• Creates a continuous, pinhole-free membrane that stops liquids from penetrating substrate pores.

• Prevents costly soil and groundwater contamination by fully encapsulating the containment floor and walls.

• Ensures that any internal spill remains in the diked area for safe recovery and cleanup.

2. Chemical Resistance

• Tailored resin chemistries (epoxy, vinyl ester, novolac phenolic) withstand acids, bases, solvents, and oxidizers.

• Withstands pH extremes and aggressive organic compounds without softening, swelling, or blistering.

• Guards against underfilm corrosion and polymer breakdown even during prolonged static contact.

3. Structural Integrity and Crack Bridging

• High-build coatings bridge hairline cracks and surface irregularities, maintaining a monolithic barrier.

• Reduces crack propagation in concrete caused by thermal cycling or substrate movement.

• Preserves the load-bearing capacity of containment slabs and prevents substrate deterioration.

4. Regulatory Compliance

• Meets EPA and local environmental regulations for spill containment in chemical processing and storage facilities.

• Supports secondary containment sizing, leak detection, and record-keeping requirements.

• Facilitates permitting and audits by providing documented coating certifications and test reports.

5. Durability Under Thermal and Environmental Cycling

• Flexible formulations accommodate expansion and contraction from temperature swings.

• UV-stable topcoats protect against solar degradation in outdoor containment areas.

• Resists freeze-thaw damage, maintaining adhesion and barrier properties in cold climates.

6. Ease of Inspection and Maintenance

• High-contrast finishes quickly reveal damage—pinholes, delamination, or chemical staining—during routine walkthroughs.

• Minimal downtime for repairs: localized spot repairs can restore full containment integrity.

• Extends scheduled recoating cycles for years depending on exposure, reducing long-term maintenance frequency.

7. Safety and Environmental Protection

• Eliminates pathways for vapor intrusion, protecting worker health and nearby communities.

• Slip-resistant aggregates in walkway zones prevent slips and falls during inspection or remediation.

• BPA- and solvent-free options reduce VOC emissions and support green-building objectives.

8. Lifecycle Cost Savings

• Upfront coating investment offsets the high expense of environmental fines, remediation, and lost production.

• Predictable maintenance schedules enable better budgeting and resource planning.

• Well-maintained containment assets reduce unplanned shutdowns and liability exposure.