Spill Containment Berm

This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/660,101 filed on Jun. 14, 2024 and Ser. No. 63/721,083 filed on Nov. 15, 2024, the entirety of which are each incorporated by reference.

The disclosure relates to containments. More particularly, it relates to containment berms for containing storage tanks that contain liquid, equipment storage tanks, hydraulic power units, where potential spills may occur such as hydraulic fluids, oils, gasoline, solvents, chemicals, fuels, industrial waste, etc. The berms may be used for water reconstitution as well.

Existing containment berms are difficult to construct and manufacture, require additional material and are typically not extruded or molded materials. Others require concrete and cinder block construction, angle iron metal, plastic sheeting and the like and are expensive and time consuming to install.

Referring to, an existing rounded or pyramid shaped one-piece bermis shown. The berm is preferably profile extruded TPE plastic such as TPV or extruded rubber such as 100% post-industrial EPDM rubber.

The existing berm has a pyramid shape and can be about 2 inches in height, 2 inches in width and about 10 feet in length.

A large bolt anchor and washer assemblyis used to secure the berm to the floor or work surface and are secured via holes. A rubber adhesive sealant may also be used.

The upper portionof the bermis flat but also can be curved in appearance. Side wallsare tapered. Bottom wallcan have a series of grooves or notchesfor further rigidity.

Referring to, a series of bermsare installed adjacent to and abutting each other to form a containment area. Cornersare formed by adjacent berms.

There is also a need for an improved corner connector which will be easier to fabricate and install without having to cut at an angles, align or match up corners and straight berm portions.

Thus, there is a need for a spill containment berm that is easy and straightforward to install compared to more expensive and time-consuming formed poured concrete or cinder block construction, that is less expensive to install and overcomes the above mention deficiencies and others while providing better overall results.

This application relates to containments. More particularly, it relates to spill containment berms.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a containment for forming a semi-permanent or permanent berm for containing liquid tanks or potential spills on surfaces, such as concrete or building floors that could potentially flow into a drain or stormwater system. It is a further object to provide a berm which is flexible and may be easily conformed to meet a variety of configurations and floor surfaces. It is still a further object to provide a berm which can form a permanent seal but is easily removable.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a spill containment berm for providing containment of potential spills and leaks has a one-piece body having a tapered configuration. The body has an upper portion and a lower portion comprising grooves. The berm is configured to be secured to a surface using fasteners and adhesive material.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a spill containment berm providing containment of potential spills and leaks which has an upper portion extending vertically and a lower portion extending horizontally, wherein the lower portion has grooves formed in a bottom surface thereof.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a berm containment to provide a semi-permanent or permanent containment berm to contain a potential spill or leak is provided. The berm may include a plurality of elongated members formed from extruded Thermoplastic Elastomers TPE's such as TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) or other suitable chemical resistant materials. For example, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber, or any suitable rubber or plastics or thermoplastic compounds.

The berm assembly may further includes a plurality of corners which connect a pair of the elongated members together. The corners are provided with a defined angle and serve as corners of the berm containment.

One aspect of the disclosure is a one-piece berm extruded from Thermoplastic Elastomers TPE's such as TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) material.

Another aspect of the disclosure is T-shaped berms which can be 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 inches or taller in height.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is the berm can be extruded in any length or for shipping purposes 8, 10 and 12 foot length increments.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is the berm can be used for indoor and outdoor applications.

Another aspect of the disclosure is the berms will not crack, break, spall, corrode, split, rip or disintegrate.

Another aspect of the disclosure is the berm can be custom fabricated for any specification, shape or configuration.

Another aspect of the disclosure is the berm is quick and easy to install and uninstall and move.

Another aspect of the disclosure is the berm is flexible and can conform to any surface.

Another aspect of the disclosure is the berm is secured to the floor surface using adhesive sealant, caulk, glue and is mechanically secured with lag bolts, lag shields and washers or other suitable fasteners to hold the berm firmly in place to the floor surface.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a molded corner connector which eliminates the need for aligning of and forming corners with straight berm members.

Still other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon reading and understanding of the following detailed description.

show T-shaped berms in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure.

Specifically referring now to, a bermhas a upper rectangular portionwhich can be formed in the shape of a pyramid with rounded upper edgesand a horizontal rectangular lower portionwhich has rounded edgesand a series of ribs, notches or groovesformed on the bottomof the berm. The solid, ribbed bottom adheres to most surfaces and is ideal for applicants to hold, divert or redirect liquids. The berm has an outer wallwhich mates with adjacent berms or corners. The upper and lower portionsandform a substantially T-shaped configuration.

show an alternate embodiment of a bermwith an upper vertical portionwith rounded upper edgesand a horizontal lower portionhaving a plurality or grooves or notchesformed in a lower or bottom surface. Upper and lower portions,form a substantially T-shaped configuration. The berm has outer wallwhich mates with adjacent berms or corners.

illustrate another embodiment of a bermhaving an upper vertical rectangular portionwith a square shaped upper surfacewith rounded edgesand a rectangular horizontal lower portionwhich has a series of grooves and notchesformed in bottom surface. Outer wallmates with adjacent berms or corners. Upper and lower walls,form a substantially T-shaped configuration.

The spill containment berms,,can each be used as a structure to mechanically isolate areas and contain spills. The berms allow constructing border curbs without resorting to expensive concrete barriers, culverts and construction costs. The wide solid bottom of the T-shaped berm has grooves which adhere to most surfaces such as concrete or other hard surfaces and is ideal for applications involving holding, diverting, or redirecting liquids or spills. The upper portions of the T-shaped berms help contain the spills and provide a vertical barrier or wall to contain spills, etc.

Federal Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations include requirements for spill prevention, preparedness, and response to prevent the pollution of navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. The rules require specific facilities to prepare, amend, and implement SPCC Plans (EPA) to ensure their containment area has enough capacity to contain at least 10% of the total volume of the total containers in the bermed area, or 110% of the volume of the largest container(s), whichever is greater.

The extruded berms of the present disclosure can contain oils, solvents, fuels, other hazardous liquids, and would meet all SPCC requirements and can be custom fabricated to any specification, shape or configuration to meet this requirement.

For example, the berms can be 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 inches in height and can be extruded in 8, 10, or 12 feet or any needed length sections, are flexible and can conform to virtually any surface.

The berms are made of TPE plastics or chemical resistant plastic or rubber material which are highly resistant to most chemicals, and form water-tight or liquid-tight seals. The berms can stand up against or are resistant to Nitric and Phosphoric acids. The berms can withstand oils, solvents, fuels, other hazardous liquids, and water for all SPCC requirements.

The berms are extruded as a one piece solid material and will not crack, break, rip, spall, corrode, or degenerate.

Referring now to, the bermsare assembled into a containment areasuch as in a rectangular or square configuration. Other configurations also are contemplated by the disclosure.

Here is a summary of the installation procedure for the berms. Before starting, the following tools may be provided: a power-washer and shop-vacuum, several gallons of acetone or denatured alcohol, a tape measure, a chalk line and marker pens, two twelve foot pieces of angle iron and several large clamps, a hammer drill, appropriate masonry drill bits, an impact driver and a set of deep sockets, a rubber mallet, and a caulk dispenser that will accommodate the 10.1 oz adhesive tube (battery powered caulk gun is preferable).

Utilizing the power washer, the entire area is thoroughly cleaned where the spill containment system is to be placed. The area must be completely free of any debris, oil, and grease. The entire area should be dry before installation begins. Failure to do so will result in premature failure of the adhesive.

Next, the bottom and lower edges of the berm assembly must be thoroughly cleaned with acetone or denatured alcohol prior to applying any adhesive.

Next, using CAD drawings and a layout diagram, the berm assembly is measured and laid out in the area where the system is to be placed. Each berm piece will be numerically marked for ease of positioning the pieces correctly within the project area. With the yellow marker, the outside and inside perimeter of the entire berm system are traced.

Sections of angle iron are then placed on both sides of the berm assembly. Stager clamps are placed along the entire section of the berm. Utilizing the appropriate masonry drill bit, a pilot hole is drilled down through each pre-drilled hole in the berm assembly.

The angle iron is unclamped and each berm piece is turned over. Utilizing the correct masonry drill bit, a mark is placed on the bit and drilling of all holes for the anchors is finished.

After all anchor holes have been drilled, each hole is cleaned out and the surrounding area where the berm sections are to be placed.

An anchor is installed into each hole.

Each berm section is turned over and the bottom of each piece is cleaned and made free of all dust and moisture. Four beads of the adhesive (such as M1 adhesive) is applied in straight lines on the bottom of each berm section.

Each berm section is turned over within the marked outline. Pressure is applied to the entire length of the berm to ensure a proper bond between the substate and the berm assembly.

A lag bolt/washer is inserted through each hole in the berm and hand-thread first to prevent damage to the anchors. Using an impact driver with the appropriate socket, each one is tightened until snug down and until it rests on the counter bore.

As each additional section is installed, make sure to apply a generous amount of adhesive to both mating ends to ensure a leak-proof seal at every connection.