Rubber or Polyurethane Floor Bunding?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the use of bunding for the storage of all liquids except rainwater. Floor bunding provides a semi-permanent and economical way of containing potential spills in hazardous and liquid storage areas. Rubber and polyurethane floor bunding is cost-effective and can be custom cut to size. Both of these floor bunding solutions are popular, but which is better? In this article we cover both options to help you decide.
Can I drive over bunding?
Yes you can – but there is a caveat. Rubber and polyurethane bunding can occasionally be driven over by vehicles and forklifts (with pneumatic tyres). Regular traffic however will result in wear and tear, compromising the bunding’s structural integrity. Also note that the steeper ‘hump’ of rubber adds strain to the bunding as it is driven over. If your work environment will see constant heavy traffic, you should consider aluminium floor bunding as a heavy duty option.
Which floor bunding is the most durable?
Rubber bunding is non-porous and does offer resistance to chemicals, but is susceptible to oil degradation. On the other hand, Megabund polyurethane bunding provides superior chemical resistance, making it ideal for storing acids and alkalis. Megabund is also longer lasting than rubber floor bunding for a couple of reasons;
- As a material, polyurethane is typically more durable than rubber. Polyurethane is a popular choice in many industrial applications that are subject to stress and stretching.
- The Megabund polyurethane bunding is also solid – making it better equipped to deal with compressions from continuous vehicle traffic.
Our polyurethane and rubber floor bunding is installed using Dynabolts and an adhesive sealant (such as Fulaprene). We’re often asked how much adhesive should be used for installation. We recommend one tube of Fulaprene for every 3 metres of floor bunding (approximately 100ml per metre). This amount of adhesive will ensure a watertight and leak-proof containment area.
Which is the safest type of floor bunding?
All floor bunding can provide adequate safety from liquid spills when used correctly. From a purely occupational health and safety (OHS) perspective, Megabund in yellow provides the highest visibility in low light conditions. For the safe storage of flammable liquids, we recommend using a bunding that’s impervious to fire, such as aluminium floor bunding.
How much floor bunding do I need?
Use our calculator to see how different floor bunding types will affect your total bunded volume.
If the total bunded volume is less than 110% of your largest liquid storage container, consider a higher profile floor bunding option or increasing the size of your bunded area.
For more information about the right floor bunding solution for your requirements, contact us on 1300 991 180 or email [email protected]