Vertical drum storage holds 205-litre oil and chemical drums upright — bungs uppermost, contents settled and the drum ready for top dispensing with a pump. Our vertical drum stores are manufactured in the UK by GPC Industries, led by the single-drum DH941Z vertical drum storage unit.
When to store drums vertically
Upright is the default orientation for sealed drums awaiting use. With the drum standing on its end you can check labels and bungs at a glance, dip or pump from the top without repositioning, and keep a compact footprint in the store area. If you decant by gravity from a tap instead, a horizontal drum store with cradles is the better tool — laying a drum over on a vertical stand is a two-person lift you shouldn't be doing routinely.
Wherever oils or hazardous liquids are kept, containment rules still apply: the bund serving the store needs to hold 110% of the largest container or 25% of the total stored, whichever is greater. Our guide to storing oil drums safely walks through the regulations, and the spill containment range covers spill pallets and bunds to put underneath.
Open, covered or enclosed?
The open DH941Z suits internal stores and covered yards. Outdoors, rain sitting on a drum top works its way past the bungs as the drum breathes with temperature changes — so for outside storage look at covered drum storage, or where security matters, fully enclosed drum stores in vertical 1, 2 and 4-drum formats with galvanised grid floors and 3-point locking. For moving the drums themselves, see our guide to drum handling equipment, and the full drum storage range for every format in one place.
Vertical drum storage FAQs
What does vertical drum storage hold?
205-litre oil and chemical drums standing upright, bungs uppermost.
Which unit is listed?
The GPC DH941Z single-drum vertical drum storage unit, manufactured in the UK by GPC Industries.
Why store drums vertically?
Upright is the default for sealed drums awaiting use. You can check labels and bungs at a glance and dip or pump from the top without moving the drum.
When is horizontal storage better?
If you decant by gravity from a tap, a horizontal drum store with cradles is the better tool.
Is the DH941Z suitable for outdoors?
It suits internal stores and covered yards. Outside, rain on the drum top can work past the bungs, so look at covered drum storage or fully enclosed drum stores.
What enclosed options are there?
Fully enclosed drum stores in vertical 1, 2 and 4-drum formats with galvanised grid floors and 3-point locking.
Do I still need containment?
Yes. The bund serving the store needs to hold 110% of the largest container or 25% of the total stored, whichever is greater. See our spill containment range.
How do I move the drums?
See our guide to drum handling equipment.
Where can I see every drum storage format?
The full drum storage collection lists vertical, horizontal, covered and enclosed options.
