Q. What do you mean by Bunds and Dikes ?

A bund (or dike) is an embankment or wall of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material, which surrounds the entire perimeter of a storage compound and provides a barrier to retain solids and liquids.

Bunds / dikes are designed to contain spillages and leaks of the substances being stored, prevent contact with incompatible materials, and to facilitate clean-up operations. As well as being used to prevent pollution of the receiving environment, bunds / dikes are also used for fire protection, product recovery and process isolation.

The requirement for bunds / dikes is determined on a site-by-site basis. Facilities that should have bunds / dikes include:

• Storage facilities for hazardous chemicals, pesticides or petroleum.

• Electrical transformers containing oil and/or PCBs.

• Facilities used to transfer stored liquids (such as transport facilities).

• Drum storage areas, either temporary or permanent.

• Processing areas.

• Any facilities that store or collect substances other than water or uncontaminated stormwater.

• Any location where spills are common, including transfer points, workshops, factories, service stations, wash bays, and other areas in which a material is transferred from its container.

When locating more than one storage container within the same bund / dike, the compatibility of their contents must be checked. Incompatible materials must not be contained within the same bund / dike.