Generator Room Protection: Bund Sealing

Introduction

Barclays required compliant secondary containment for two generator rooms in Knutsford — one housing dual generators with unsealed bases and electrical channels, the other containing three diesel storage tanks with no containment measures. Both installations required bund systems capable of holding 110% of stored fuel volume in accordance with The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.

Our Solution

UCL surveyed and calculated the required bund volumes per the Oil Storage Regulations, marking out containment zones before diamond-grinding all surfaces to remove laitance and debris. Modular GRP bund sections were mechanically fastened to the floor, shaped where necessary to accommodate generator stand profiles, with all joints sealed using mastic. A specialist primer was applied to both the prepared concrete and GRP inner faces prior to spray application of pure polyurea across approximately 200m². The polyurea membrane provides hydrocarbon resistance and continuous containment for up to 48 hours. Anti-slip coating was applied to polyurea walkway zones, with anti-slip tape installed on GRP edges for physical demarcation and safety.

Key Benefits

• Fully compliant with The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 — 110% containment capacity achieved
• Monolithic polyurea membrane provides hydrocarbon resistance for up to 48 hours' continuous submersion
• GRP bund profiled to fit complex generator stand contours, installed with all plant in situ
• Electrical channels protected from submersion in flammable liquid in the event of a fuel spill
• Anti-slip demarcation applied to walkways for safe egress during spillage events
• Eliminates risk of Environment Agency enforcement action and associated fines
• 10-year warranty on completed installation
• Approximately 200m² treated across two separate generator rooms in a single project

Conclusion

UCL delivered a fully compliant, warranted bund lining system across both generator rooms with no plant removal required. The project demonstrates UCL's capability to design and install secondary containment solutions that meet regulatory requirements in live, high-risk commercial environments.