Secondary Containment Coatings Can Reduce Maintenance Costs
Properly designed, constructed, and maintained secondary containment areas and equipment are critical to every industrial facility’s operation. Not only do these coatings ensure the facility is compliant with strict local and federal regulations, but they also limit the liability the facility might face as a result of a chemical spill or leak. Now more than ever, it’s important to implement every available precaution to both prevent and minimize accidentally releasing hazardous materials into the surrounding ecosystem. Secondary containment coatings can help you do just that.
Why Secondary Containment Coatings Are Essential
Most secondary containment areas use formed concrete to create curbs or berms that enclose the secondary containment equipment, such as holding tanks or other vessels. However, concrete isn’t typically suitable for use as a stand-alone barrier against chemicals, acids, caustics, and other materials, so it’s important to apply a secondary coating. Otherwise, those harmful materials could damage the concrete, leach through the slab, and contaminate the local environment through the soil, groundwater, or waterways. Such a spill could result in astronomical expenses for repairs and cleanup, not to mention downtime in production.
Such a situation is avoidable—along with all the repair and mitigation costs—with routine maintenance and the application and maintenance of secondary containment coatings.
What Types of Coatings Are Used?
Applying an appropriate, chemical-resistant coating is a great way to extend the life of your secondary containment equipment and structures. These coatings, such as epoxy coatings and elastomeric polyurethane, are specially formulated to safeguard concrete and other surfaces against damage from the specific chemicals and materials that industrial facility handles.
Applying these coatings is also an economical way to resolve issues with the concrete, such as surface cracks and corrosion, and prolong the secondary containment area’s usability.
The Risks Associated With Not Using a Secondary Containment Coating
If your secondary containment area doesn’t utilize a specialized coating for extra protection, you could be walking a thin line between saving money on maintenance and spending a lot of money on repairs and other expenses associated with a spill.
Should the secondary containment area fail and hazardous chemicals and materials escape into the work area or environment, you could be dealing with contaminated work areas, damaged equipment, injured workers, production downtime, and more. Think of the expense and the profits lost.
The best solution is to be proactive and apply and maintain the specialized coatings on your secondary containment areas and equipment.
Get a Professional Consultation
Consulting a professional and experienced company about secondary containment coatings can help industrial facility managers make informed decisions about how to best protect and maintain their secondary containment areas. A&K Painting can provide an in-depth inspection and personalized solutions that can extend the life of your secondary containment equipment, while also lowering the risk of a leak or spill occurring at your facility.
A&K Painting offers a range of secondary containment coating solutions. Get in touch to request a consultation and learn how you can make your facility safer, save money, and prevent potentially catastrophic leaks and spills.
