Thursday, March 11, 2010

Earth Shield Retrofit Waterstop for a Variety of Applications


Joining new concrete to existing concrete requires the use of a waterstop if the joint is to be fluid-proof. However, this formed joint has always been problematic for Engineers and Contractors, as properly installing a standard waterstop across a preformed joint is difficult, expensive, and usually a compromise. Traditionally, Engineers have accomplished the task by specifying the use of a standard embedded waterstop within a sawcut and epoxy-grout filled channel. This labor-intensive and costly method has often produced questionable results due to the potential cold joint formed between the epoxy and the existing concrete surface from shrinkage. Furthermore, by sawcutting the existing concrete, the Contractor may be inadvertently destroying the reinforcing steel within the concrete.


Earth Shield currently manufactures six polymer systems that offer Engineers, Owners, and Contractors real solutions for retrofitting applications. All of the systems are non-destructive — there is no sawcutting of the existing concrete, and therefore no destruction of the internal reinforcing steel. All of the systems feature chemical bond (epoxy), as well as mechanical anchor system (stainless steel batten bar and bolts). All of the systems are manufactured from a fully cross-linked thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), which provides broad-spectrum resistance to a variety of aggressive chemicals, long life span (entire lifecycle of structure), and excellent physical properties (tensile strength, elongation, etc.).

All six Earth Shield retrofit waterstops systems can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Therefore, they are equally suited for joining slab to wall or wall to slab. A frequent application is for the Contractor to pour the slab monolithically; apply an Earth Shield retrofit waterstop system to the cured slab (green concrete is perfectly acceptable); and cast containment walls (curbs) on top of the waterstop. All of our retrofit waterstop systems can be factory fabricated to fit-to-print dimensions, leaving little to no welding for the Contractor in the field.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Secondary Containment Rules for New Zealand

Secondary containment is a system which will contain fuel spills if a fuel tank leaks or is damaged, and from which the fuel can be cleaned up after a spill. A secondary containment system must also have a capacity capable of containing a spill equaling 110% of the capacity of the largest fuel tank it contains.
General Provisions:
Where a total of 2000 liters or more of petrol and/or diesel is stored the person in charge of the farm must ensure that fuel is stored in a compound (bund). Where the total is below 2000 liters the fuel may alternatively be located so that any spillage will not endanger any building, or flow into any natural water body. Any tanks must be maintained so that valves, hoses and dispensers do not leak.

What is a Compound (Bund)?

A compound is a form of secondary containment consisting of a hollow, pit or structure which is capable of containing any fuel spill from the fuel storage. To comply with HSNO regulations it must:
  • Be of a size capable of holding 110% of the contents of the largest fuel tank; and be constructed of non-flammable materials (concrete, brick, HDPE, clay, earth or similar); and effectively retain the fuel if there is a spillage.
  • In areas with light, free draining soils (e.g. pumice or sandy soils), a compound must be lined with an additional impermeable layer (e.g. concrete, clay or brick) to stop spills entering groundwater.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Pesticide Container and Containment Regulations At A Glance


The purpose of this document is to provide an outline of many of the requirements of the regulations “Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment.”  This document reflects the requirements established in August 2006 and amended in October 2008.  With this document, EPA intends to facilitate the public’s ability to determine who is subject to the rule and how to comply.
Because this is a summary, many details are not included.  Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR parts 156 and 165) and the October 29, 2008 Federal Register Notice for the full version.
This Web page includes the following:
  1. Overview table of who must comply, a list of major requirements and the compliance date for each of the five areas of regulatory standards.
  2. Overview table of the products that are subject to the nonrefillable, refillable and repackaging regulations.
  3. A short summary of each of the five areas of the regulatory standards, addressing:

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Bulk Storage Secondary Containment Requirements

For purposes of the SPCC requirements, secondary containment for bulk storage facilities must be constructed to at least provide for the capacity of the largest single tank with sufficient freeboard for precipitation.  EPA believes that the proper standard of "sufficient freeboard" to contain precipitation is that amount necessary to contain a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. There are several different types of secondary containment measures that could be used at a facility including: