Secondary Containment & Bunded Storage

When you store hazardous liquids, chemicals, oils or fuels, secondary containment isn’t optional - it’s a legal requirement.

At Hyde Park Environmental, we design and supply fully compliant bunded storage solutions and secondary containment systems that protect your people, your site and your reputation.

Whether you need spill pallets, bunded storage units, IBC bunds, chemical storage bunding or large-scale external bunded stores, we provide straightforward expertise to keep you compliant and operational.

Why Secondary Containment Matters 

Failure to implement compliant secondary containment can result in:

• Environmental contamination
• Regulatory enforcement action
• Costly clean-up operations
• Reputational damage
• Production downtime

Understanding Secondary Containment Requirements

Businesses that store oils, chemicals or other hazardous liquids must ensure they comply with secondary containment requirements in the UK. Environmental guidance typically requires that storage containers be protected by a suitable bunded storage system capable of containing leaks, spills or catastrophic container failure. In most situations, bunds must hold 110% of the largest container or 25% of the total stored volume, whichever is greater.

These bunded storage regulations exist to prevent pollutants entering drains, soil or watercourses, helping organisations reduce environmental risk and demonstrate responsible chemical management. Whether you are storing oil drums, IBCs or larger volumes of hazardous liquids, implementing the correct secondary containment solution is a key part of maintaining environmental compliance and pollution prevention.

Understanding how these requirements apply to your specific site can be complex, which is why many organisations seek specialist advice when selecting bunded storage units, spill pallets and chemical containment systems.

Compliance & Environmental Responsibilities

When it comes to secondary containment and bunded storage, compliance is not just about having the right equipment — it’s about ensuring the solution is suitable for the risks on your site.

Different industries store different substances, volumes and container types. Without the correct bund capacity, chemical compatibility and positioning, even well-intentioned containment systems can fall short of regulatory expectations.

At Hyde Park Environmental, our approach is built around helping organisations implement practical, compliant secondary containment solutions that align with UK environmental guidance and industry best practice.

We support compliance with key legislation and regulatory guidance including:

Oil Storage Regulations

These regulations govern the storage of oil and oil-based products to prevent pollution incidents. They typically require secondary containment capable of holding at least 110% of the largest container, ensuring that leaks or catastrophic failures are safely contained before they can reach drains or soil.

Environmental Protection Legislation 

Under environmental protection laws, organisations have a duty of care to prevent pollution and manage hazardous substances responsibly. Properly designed bunded storage systems and spill containment infrastructure play a critical role in demonstrating that reasonable preventative measures are in place.

COSHH Storage Requirements

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) framework requires employers to store hazardous chemicals safely and minimise exposure risks. Bunded storage units, chemical cabinets and secondary containment systems help reduce the risk of leaks, incompatible chemical mixing and workplace exposure.

EPA and Environmental Agency Guidance

Environmental regulators such as the Environment Agency and NIEA provide guidance on how businesses should store chemicals, fuels and oils. This includes recommendations for bund sizing, site layout, inspection procedures and spill prevention measures to reduce the risk of environmental contamination.