SPCC Secondary Containment

At facilities regulated by the SPCC Rule, all containers, equipment, and areas with the potential for oil discharges are subject to secondary containment requirements. Affected equipment and areas must have “appropriate containment” that is able to contain the most likely quantity of oil that would be discharged until it can be cleaned up. The original containers, equipment, and piping serve as the “primary containment,” while the “secondary containment” serves as “backup” protection against spills, leaks, and primary containment failures. This course describes the secondary containment that can be used to prevent oil discharges.

• Define the terms "primary containment," "secondary containment," "sufficiently impervious," "vaulted tank," "run-on," and "sufficient freeboard" • Describe how "active" and "passive" containment measures differ • Calculate the required capacity for a secondary containment structure responsible for two fuel tanks • List the alternative measures that are required when secondary containment has been deemed "impracticable" • List the responsibilities of EPA inspectors at SPCC- regulated facilities • Describe the reportable discharge history criteria for facilities wishing to use alternate measures • Describe the alternative measures equipment allowed by the EPA in place of inspections when there has been no “impracticability determination"