What is a common requirement for secondary containment systems?

Secondary containment systems are designed to provide a safety net for primary containment systems, such as tanks holding hazardous materials or fuels. The fundamental requirement for these systems is to have the capacity to contain any leaks or spills that may occur, which is why they must contain a minimum volume of potential leaks. This ensures that if the primary containment fails, the secondary containment can prevent the hazardous materials from contaminating the surrounding environment, providing a critical layer of safety in UST operations.

The capacity of secondary containment is key for compliance with environmental regulations and protection of groundwater. Assessing the minimum volume needed is essential in design and operation to make sure that the containment can adequately handle spills without exceeding its capacity, which could lead to environmental contamination.

The other aspects mentioned, such as being made of biodegradable materials or withstanding extreme temperatures, while they may be relevant considerations in some contexts, are not universally applicable requirements for all secondary containment systems. Regular inspections may be a valuable practice, but the specific requirement is focused on the containment capacity and capability to manage leaks effectively.