If you store oil drums, chemical drums or waste drums outside — or anywhere they need protecting from the weather, sunlight or unauthorised access — an open sump pallet often isn't enough. A covered or enclosed drum store adds a roof, and in many cases lockable doors, on top of the spill containment you already need. This guide explains the different unit types, the specifications that matter, and how to choose the right one for your drums.
What is a covered drum store?
A covered drum store is a drum storage unit with an integral roof or hard cover sitting above a bunded (sump) base. The sump catches leaks and spills; the cover keeps rain, snow and UV off the drums and stops rainwater filling the sump. An enclosed drum store goes a step further — full sides and lockable doors turn the unit into a secure, weatherproof cabinet for outdoor or high-risk storage.
The two jobs a covered store does that a plain spill pallet cannot: it keeps rainwater out of the sump (an open sump left outside fills up and loses its spill capacity), and it shelters the drums and their labels from weather and sunlight. Where security or containment of vapours matters, an enclosed store adds locking and ventilation as well.
The drum store range explained
"Drum store" covers several distinct formats. Choosing well starts with knowing which one matches your drums and your site:
- Covered drum storage systems — a sump base with a hard cover over the top, sized for dispensing and storage. Our GPC Covered Drum Storage System is moulded from polyethylene (PE), is 100% recyclable, suits most forklifts and is ideal where you draw product off drums regularly.
- Sump drum storage pallets — open bunded pallets for 1–4 drums, the baseline for indoor containment. Add a cover or hard top to take them outside.
- Vertical and horizontal drum stores — steel units that hold drums standing up (vertical, for sealed storage) or lying on their side on cradles (horizontal, for tap-and-dispense). Our GPC Vertical and Horizontal Drum Stores run from single-drum units upward.
- Fully enclosed drum stores — steel cabinets with full sides and lockable doors for outdoor or security-sensitive storage. Our GPC Fully Enclosed Drum Stores have high- and low-level venting in the doors, 3-point locking, galvanised grid floors on vertical units and an open-topped sump on horizontal units. (These are forklift-handled units.)
- Larger drum storage units — racked stores holding roughly 8 to 20 drums for sites consolidating a lot of stock in one compliant location.
The specifications that matter
When you compare units, work through these points rather than price alone:
- Drum count and orientation — how many drums, standing or lying down? Horizontal storage suits dispensing; vertical suits sealed storage and a smaller footprint.
- Sump capacity — UK guidance for oil and many chemicals expects a bund to hold at least 110% of the largest container, or 25% of the total volume stored, whichever is greater. Check the sump volume against your largest drum.
- Cover vs full enclosure — a hard cover sheds weather; full doors add security and keep the contents out of sight. Choose enclosure where theft, tampering or vapour control are concerns.
- Ventilation — enclosed steel stores need venting (our enclosed units use high- and low-level door vents) so vapours don't build up inside.
- Material and finish — PE units shrug off many chemicals and won't corrode; steel units are stronger and lockable. Galvanised or coated steel resists outdoor corrosion.
- Handling — larger steel stores are designed to be moved and positioned by forklift. Confirm you have the means to unload and site the unit.
How to choose: five questions
- Indoors or outdoors? Indoors, an open or covered sump pallet may be enough. Outdoors, you need a cover to keep rain out of the sump — and often a full enclosure.
- How many drums, and how do you use them? Count current and near-future drums; decide whether you dispense (favour horizontal) or store sealed (favour vertical).
- What's in the drums? Oils, fuels and chemicals drive the containment, ventilation and segregation you need — and may bring DSEAR into play for flammables.
- Do you need security? If drums must be locked away from the public or staff, choose a fully enclosed store with lockable doors.
- How will you site and move it? Check footprint, ground, and whether you have a forklift for the heavier steel units.
Staying compliant
Covered and enclosed stores help you meet the duties that sit around drum storage. Oil stored outside in England falls under the oil storage regulations, which expect secondary containment; COSHH covers hazardous substances generally; and DSEAR applies where contents are flammable. The practical rule to remember is the bund sizing one — 110% of the largest drum or 25% of the total, whichever is greater — and keeping rainwater out of that sump so the capacity stays available. Always base your final choice on your own COSHH and (where relevant) DSEAR risk assessments.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a covered drum store or just a spill pallet? If the drums are indoors, a sump pallet may be enough. Outdoors, a cover stops rain filling the sump and protects the drums, so a covered or enclosed store is the better choice.
What's the difference between a covered and a fully enclosed store? A covered store has a roof over a sump base. A fully enclosed store adds full sides and lockable, vented doors for security and weatherproofing.
How big does the sump need to be? Size it to hold at least 110% of your largest drum or 25% of the total volume stored, whichever is greater.
Can drum stores go outside? Yes — covered and enclosed steel stores are built for outdoor use. Galvanised floors and vented, locking doors suit exposed sites; keep the sump clear of rainwater.
Browse the full drum storage range for covered, vertical, horizontal and fully enclosed units, see our spill containment sump pallets and bunds, and our wider hazardous storage cabinets. For the regulations behind safe drum storage, read our guide to storing oil drums safely, and for moving drums see drum handling equipment.