Polyethylene spill pallets and vaults do one job that steel cannot: they hold acids and aggressive chemicals without corroding from the inside out. If your bund keeps pitting, staining or rusting through, the answer is usually not a thicker steel sump — it is a different material.
Polyethylene or steel — which spill pallet do you need?
Steel bunded pallets are the right choice for oils, fuels, lubricants and general workshop liquids, and they take a forklift far better. But steel is attacked by acids, alkalis and many solvents, and once a sump starts corroding its containment volume is no longer something you can rely on. Medium-density polyethylene is chemically inert to a much wider range of substances, does not rust, and washes down cleanly — which is why it is the standard specification for acid stores, laboratory decanting areas and anywhere a spill would sit in the sump for days before anyone noticed.
The trade-off is load handling. Polyethylene units are designed to be filled in position rather than shuttled around a yard on forks, so plan where they live before you order. If you need a bunded pallet you can lift and relocate, look at the steel drum sump pallets instead.
What we stock
GPC Polyethylene Spill Pallet (PSP0410) — 4 drums. A medium-density polyethylene spill pallet fitted with a 0.6 mm galvanised, powder-coated steel cover. The hinged doors have retaining catches to hold them open and are lockable, so the unit doubles as a secure, weather-protected drum store rather than an open sump. Lead time 21 days.
GPC Polyethylene Vault (PEC27Z) — 2 drums. An enclosed polyethylene vault with roller shutter doors for easy drum access. Complies with the Oil Storage Regulations (England) 2001.
GPC Polyethylene Vault (PEC42Z) — 4 drums. The larger four-drum version of the same roller-shutter vault, also to the Oil Storage Regulations (England) 2001. Lead time 7 days.
GPC Polyethylene Vault with Shelving (PEC27S). The same vault body fitted out with shelving for smaller containers — the one to specify when you are storing 5, 10 and 25 litre drums and jerry cans rather than 205 litre drums.
Sizing the containment
UK guidance is consistent across the Oil Storage Regulations, COSHH and the Environment Agency's pollution prevention advice: secondary containment should hold whichever is the greater of 110% of the largest single container or 25% of the total volume stored. For a four-drum unit holding 205 litre drums, that is 25% of 820 litres — 205 litres — against 110% of one drum, which is 225.5 litres. The 110% figure wins, so the sump has to hold at least 225.5 litres. Work the arithmetic both ways every time; whichever number is larger is the one you have to meet.
Two further points catch people out. Rainwater counts against your containment volume if the unit is outdoors and uncovered, which is a strong argument for the covered PSP0410 or an enclosed vault. And the bund has to be liquid-tight at the joints, not just the base — a cracked or badly sealed corner fails the same audit a corroded sump does.
Choosing between the four
Ask three questions. What size are the containers? Small containers point at the shelved PEC27S; 205 litre drums point at the vaults or the spill pallet. Is it indoors or out? Outdoors needs the cover or shutter doors, both for rainwater and for UV. Does it need to be locked? The PSP0410's hinged doors and the vaults' roller shutters both give you a secure store; an open sump pallet does not.
For steel bunded units, IBC bunds and wider containment kit, see spill containment. If the substance also needs a fire-rated or ventilated enclosure rather than just a bund, start at hazardous storage and read our guide to flammable storage cabinets versus COSHH cabinets. Our guide to what UK spill containment law requires covers the duties in full, and spill pallets explained walks through every bunded pallet type.
Polyethylene spill pallet FAQs
When should I choose polyethylene instead of steel?
For acids, alkalis and aggressive chemicals. Steel is attacked by many of these and a corroding sump can no longer be relied on for its containment volume. Steel suits oils, fuels and general workshop liquids.
Can polyethylene spill pallets be moved by forklift?
They are designed to be filled in position rather than shuttled around on forks, so plan where they will live before ordering. For a bunded pallet you can lift and relocate, look at the steel drum sump pallets.
How much containment do I need?
Secondary containment should hold the greater of 110% of the largest single container or 25% of the total volume stored. For four 205 litre drums, 25% is 205 litres but 110% of one drum is 225.5 litres, so 225.5 litres is the minimum.
What does the GPC PSP0410 spill pallet offer?
It holds 4 drums, is made from medium-density polyethylene and has a 0.6 mm galvanised, powder-coated steel cover. The hinged doors have retaining catches and are lockable, so it works as a secure, weather-protected drum store.
What are the polyethylene vaults?
The PEC27Z (2 drums) and PEC42Z (4 drums) are enclosed polyethylene vaults with roller shutter doors for easy drum access. Both comply with the Oil Storage Regulations (England) 2001.
What if I store small containers rather than 205 litre drums?
Choose the PEC27S, the same vault body fitted with shelving for 5, 10 and 25 litre drums and jerry cans.
Does rainwater affect the containment volume?
Yes. If the unit is outdoors and uncovered, rainwater counts against the containment volume, which is a strong argument for the covered PSP0410 or an enclosed vault.
How do I choose between the four units?
Ask what size the containers are, whether the store is indoors or outdoors, and whether it needs locking. Small containers point to the PEC27S, 205 litre drums to the vaults or spill pallet, and outdoor use needs the cover or shutter doors.
