Size a spill containment pallet by the sump, not by the pallet: the sump must hold at least the volume of your largest drum, or 10% of all the containers on it, whichever is greater. For two 55-gallon drums that means a sump of 55 gallons or more, and the ENPAC 2 Drum Hardcover listed by ERE has a 58-gallon sump. This guide walks through that arithmetic, compares the drum containment products ERE lists, and shows where a small spill tray is enough and where it is not.
In this guide
- How big does the sump on a spill pallet need to be?
- Which drum containment products does ERE list?
- When do you need a hardcover pallet?
- When is a small spill tray enough?
- What about moving, filling and salvaging drums?
- What does ERE not list?
- How do you choose a spill pallet, step by step?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Does the Sump on a Spill Pallet Need to Be?
The sump needs to hold the largest single container, or 10% of the total volume on the pallet, whichever is larger. That is the test written into the U.S. hazardous-waste container rule, 40 CFR 264.175, and the ENPAC product records cite it. It is also a sensible design basis for any liquid drum storage. In Canada the legal requirement comes from your province and from your permit or approval, so confirm the figure with the authority that regulates your site.
| On the pallet | 10% of total volume | Largest container | Minimum sump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two 55-gallon drums | 11 gal | 55 gal | 55 gal |
| One 55-gallon drum | 5.5 gal | 55 gal | 55 gal |
| One 16-gallon drum and four 5-gallon pails | 3.6 gal | 16 gal | 16 gal |
The 10% term only wins when you store many small containers. With drums, the largest container sets the number nearly every time. Two further points apply outdoors. An open sump collects rain, so the rule counts on you removing accumulated liquid, and a sump full of rainwater has no room for a spill. And the liquid you contain is only as safe as your knowledge of it, so read the Safety Data Sheet, which suppliers must provide under WHMIS, before you pick the polyethylene pallet and the storage location.
Which Drum Containment Products Does ERE List?
ERE lists ENPAC drum containment products in the Spill Pallets collection and the wider Spill Containment range. Figures come from the product records; materials, lead times and part numbers are confirmed on a quote.
| Product | Sump capacity | Listed size and weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Drum Hardcover Spill Pallet (SPK-4062-YE, with drain SPK-4062-YE-D) | 58 gal | 60 x 36 x 72 in outside, 210 lb | Outdoor or indoor storage of up to two 55-gallon drums |
| ENPAC Poly-Dolly 5300-YE | 80 gal | 69 x 32.5 x 26.5 in, 92 lb, 600 lb load rating | Containment where the load must be moved |
| Spill Scooter (SPK-5205-YE) | 11 gal | 34.62 in dia x 8.82 in, 22.5 lb, 450 lb load rating | A moveable tray under one container |
| Drums-Up (SPK-8091-YE) | 19.5 gal | 36 x 36 x 8 in, 6 lb | Nuisance spills from a 55-gallon drum in use |
| Drums-Up Jr. (SPK-8200-YE) | 7.5 gal | 22.75 x 17.25 x 7.5 in, 2 lb | 16-gallon drums and 5-gallon pails |
Read the sump column against the table in the first section. Only the hardcover and the Poly-Dolly list a sump above 55 gallons. The records for the Poly-Dolly give its dimensions, load rating and sump, but not how many drums it carries, so tell us the drum count and we confirm the fit before you order.
When Do You Need a Hardcover Pallet?
You need a hardcover when drums stay outdoors, because rain and snow fill an open sump and leave no room for a spill. The 2 Drum Hardcover is a polyethylene pallet and cover in one, with a 58-gallon sump, a roll-top design that works in tight spaces or against a building where swing-open doors would not clear, and lockable doors loadable from the top or from the front and rear. Interior dimensions are 50 x 29 x 51 in and the unit weighs 210 lb (95.5 kg). A drain version (SPK-4062-YE-D) and an optional ramp are listed.
- Why a cover: a covered sump stays empty, so the full 58 gallons are available for a spill rather than shared with rainwater.
- Why a drain option: a drain lets you remove collected liquid without tipping the unit, but a drain is also a path out of the sump. Keep it closed and plugged unless you are emptying it on purpose.
- Why a lock: the lockable doors keep drums of chemicals or waste from being opened or tampered with when nobody is on site.
The records say the lockable door is used with the Poly Spill Pallet 2000 (SPK-5253-YE). If you are weighing a pallet against a hardcover for the same drums, send us the storage location and we compare the two.
When Is a Small Spill Tray Enough?
A small tray is enough for drips and nuisance spills, and not enough for storage containment. The Drums-Up has a 19.5-gallon sump for a 55-gallon drum in use, and the Drums-Up Jr. has 7.5 gallons for 16-gallon drums and pails. Against the arithmetic above, 19.5 gallons is far below the 55 gallons a stored 55-gallon drum needs, so a Drums-Up is for a drum you are dispensing from, where a fill-up drips or a bung leaks, not for a drum you leave standing.
The Spill Scooter is the same idea in a lighter, round form: a moveable 11-gallon sump rated for 450 lb distributed load, useful under a container being moved or filled. Neither is a substitute for a pallet when the rule says the sump must hold the whole drum.
What About Moving, Filling and Salvaging Drums?
Containment also covers the moments when a drum is moved, filled or already leaking. ERE lists three ENPAC products for those moments.
- Moving: the Poly-Dolly 5300-YE lists an 80-gallon sump and a 600 lb load rating, so a load can be rolled with containment under it.
- Filling: the Universal Poly Drum Funnel fits open-head and closed-head 55-gallon drums and other containers, with a scalloped design, high side walls and bung fitting holders, to cut drips and splashes at the opening. A safety funnel (SPK-3004-YE-SF) adds a non-sparking bung closure with a flame arrestor, and a lockable cover (SPK-3040-YE) is listed.
- Salvage: the Poly Overpacks come in 20, 30, 65 and 95 gallons, are listed as UN 1H2 rated all-polyethylene, and are sold for containing and moving leaking or damaged drums. The records cite U.S. DOT 49 CFR 173.3(c); in Canada, shipping a damaged drum of dangerous goods falls under the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, so confirm the requirement for your product and route.
For pumping out of a drum rather than pouring, see the Pull Type Drum Pumps, and for sampling a drum's contents our drum and tank liquid sampling guide.
What Does ERE Not List?
ERE does not list a four-drum pallet, an IBC tote pallet or a modular low-profile pallet in the Spill Pallets collection today. If you need one, ask: we confirm what is available, with the sump, load rating and lead time, on a quote. A pallet sold on grating and a low profile suits forklifts and indoor floors, a hardcover suits outdoor yards, and an IBC pallet is sized to a 1,000-litre tote, so name the container, not the pallet type, when you ask.
A pallet is one layer of a spill plan. For the rest of it, including pads, socks and kits for the first minutes after a release, read our spill kit guide, and for tanks and sumps that need an alarm rather than a tray see the leak detection system guide.
How Do You Choose a Spill Pallet, Step by Step?
- List the containers. Count, size and type: 55-gallon drums, 16-gallon drums, pails, totes.
- Find the largest one. Its volume sets the minimum sump unless 10% of the total is larger.
- Check the liquid. Read the SDS for compatibility, flammability and how it must be stored.
- Decide indoor or outdoor. Outdoors, plan for rain and sun: choose a cover or commit to emptying the sump.
- Check the load. Compare the full drum weight with the load rating on the record.
- Plan the access. Forklift, hand truck, or a roll-top door against a wall.
- Decide on a drain and a lock. A drain empties the sump; a lock keeps people out.
- Confirm with the regulator. Provincial rules and your permit set the legal minimum; send us the details and we confirm the model.
Need drum containment for a site?
Send us the container count and size, the liquid, and whether the drums sit indoors or outdoors, and we will confirm the pallet, sump capacity and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spill containment pallet?
A spill containment pallet is a platform that holds drums or other containers above a built-in sump, so a leak or spill collects in the sump instead of reaching the floor or the ground.
How much sump capacity does a spill pallet need?
At least the volume of the largest container, or 10% of the total volume of all containers, whichever is greater. For two 55-gallon drums that is 55 gallons.
Do spill pallets need a cover outdoors?
A cover keeps rain and snow out of the sump, which leaves its full capacity available for a spill. Without a cover, rainwater collects and must be removed regularly.
Is a Drums-Up tray the same as a spill pallet?
No. The Drums-Up has a 19.5-gallon sump for catching drips from a drum in use. It is not sized to contain a stored 55-gallon drum.
Do you quote spill pallets across Canada?
Yes. Send the container count, size and liquid through the quote form and we confirm availability and delivery across Canada.
Related articles
- Spill Kit Guide: Oil-Only, Universal and Hazmat Kits for Canadian Sites
- Drum and Tank Liquid Sampling Equipment and Methods in Canada
- Leak Detection System Guide: Sensors, Cable and Controllers
Lire en français : Palette de rétention : guide du bac de rétention, des capots et de la manutention des fûts pour les sites canadiens