Spill Containment & SPCC (EPA)

Primary Authority: EPA 40 CFR Part 112

Secondary Containment (§112.8(c)(2)): For bulk storage, containment must hold the entire capacity of the largest single container plus "sufficient freeboard" for precipitation.
Impermeability (§112.7(c)): The system must be sufficiently impervious to contain oil until cleanup can occur.
Applicability: Facilities with a total aboveground oil storage capacity of more than 1,320 gallons (counting only containers 55 gallons or larger) must have a written SPCC plan.

Is it a federal regulation or a state regulation or how does that work?
- Typically, containment must hold the volume of the largest container plus additional capacity for precipitation; 110% is commonly used as a practical design standard but it can vary state to state and area to area. Note- Local regulations can be more stringent than federal.
What is the secondary containment requirement for a 55-gallon drum?
- Under EPA 40 CFR 112, you must provide containment for 100% of the largest container. For a 55-gallon drum, the spill pallet must have at least a 55-gallon sump capacity.
Does a spill pallet need a drain?
- Drains are not federally mandated, but they are recommended for outdoor pallets to manage accumulated rainwater without compromising the required sump capacity.
What counts toward the 1,320-gallon SPCC threshold?
- Only oil-filled containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or greater are included in the aggregate facility capacity.