An IBC bund is placed underneath intermediate bulk containers to prevent chemical leaks or spillages from contaminating the surrounding area.

There are several factors, including the type of chemicals being stored and the circumstances under which the bund will be used, that you should take into account when selecting the correct IBC bund for your needs

Below we’ve outlined the 4 most important questions you will need to consider when deciding whether to use an IBC bund when storing your chemicals.

DO I NEED AN IBC BUND?

Any facility that stores, transfers, processes or disposes of chemicals will likely require the use of an intermediate bulk container bund. In many cases, bunds are also recommended for use in facilities where non-hazardous liquids are stored.

Overall, it is essential that your business follows local guidelines on the use of IBC storage containers, whether you’re storing flammable materials, caustic chemicals, petroleum or even pesticides. To ensure you’re following IBC safe storage practices , you can review the GPP 26 guidelines.

To determine whether or not you require the use of bunds for intermediate bulk containers at your facility, there are a number of factors to consider including:

• Type of facility
• Type(s) of chemicals/materials used onsite
• Risk levels for leaks/spills
• Volume of chemicals/materials stored
• Location of storage containers.

WHAT TYPE OF BUND SHOULD I BE USING?

It is a common misconception that steel IBC bunds are universally superior to plastic ones. Steel and plastic bunds each have their own merits and should be employed according to the specific application and environment in which the bund will be used.

One aspect to consider when deciding which bund to use in your facility is the type of chemicals/liquids you will be storing. For instance, in facilities where corrosive chemicals are being stored it is recommended that plastic IBC bunds are used.  Highly flammable Chemicals should be stored on steel IBC bunds which will have greater fire resistance than plastic bunds.

Another detail you will need to take into account is the way in which the intermediate bulk containers will be transported. For situations in which chemicals are being lifted and moved with a forklift or other type of vehicle, it is recommended that steel IBC bunds or Mobile IBC Bunds are used.

To learn more about plastic vs steel bunds, check out this article.

WILL I NEED TO REPLACE MY IBC BUND?

With proper use, care and maintenance, chemical bunds have quite a long lifespan. It is recommended that integrity visual inspections are conducted on a monthly basis to ensure the longevity of your IBC bunds.

In addition to monitoring the sustainability of your bund, monthly inspections also help to reduce the risk of leaks and spillages. As many IBC’s contain high-risk material, you must be confident in the bund integrity and ability to contain a chemical spill.

Regular assessment of your IBC bunds also guarantees your facility’s compliance with U.K. chemical safety legislation. The law requires that all bunds must pass a “Bund Integrity Test” at least every 3 years.

Learn more about Bund Integrity Testing here.

WILL USING IBC BUNDS BENEFIT MY FACILITY?

The use of bunds when storing intermediate bulk containers ensures that any major spill or incidental leaks are completely contained. If a leak were to occur from a container that was not protected by the use of a bund, the uncontrolled flow of chemicals could potentially damage the environment, surrounding equipment, machinery, or even personnel.

An uncontrolled chemical spill also has the potential to be very expensive. In the event of any safety concerns, the facility may need to be evacuated, halting production. In addition, the clean-up of hazardous materials often requires external contractors/consultants which can be quite costly.

Chemical bunds protect the environment, the workplace and importantly, your employees and customers. With proper maintenance and adequate storage, you can minimise risk and maximise productivity at your facilities. If you’re in the market for IBC Bunds or bunded IBC stores, contact the team at Safety Storage Systems UK.