Although major accidents rarely occur, the transport and storage of chemicals can still pose a major risk to people, animals, and the environment. For companies, uncontrolled emissions can result in both a breach of regulations and financial loss. How can you actually prevent chemical spills?

– Long-term and systematic work is required to safeguard against chemical emissions and pollution, says the sales manager at ArcticFlow, Ronny Hynne.

Professional operators involved in chemical handling are required by law to comply with § 18 of the pollution regulations, also called tank regulations. The purpose of pollution regulations is to protect the external environment against pollution resulting from the storage of dangerous chemicals and waste, and tank regulations have specific requirements for tank storage. In addition, there are internal requirements and rules in connection with risk analyses, health, environment, and safety. One of our tasks is to assist our customers in understanding the complexity of the challenges they face and choosing the right solutions based on the customers’ needs.

– Many people focus on great safety and great actions, and then they often forget the small emissions that can occur during, for example, transport or filling. A few liters of spillage in nature from time to time can create a repetitive pattern which over time will have a negative consequence.

The tank regulations cover all products that are in the vicinity of the chemical. This means that it does not only apply to the tank itself, but also to the associated equipment and actions used in connection with the tank.

With over 50 years of experience in the tank industry, ArcticFlow assists with tank solutions that meet the regulations and the customers’ needs, as well as necessary barriers, instrumentation, logging of essential data, and volume monitoring.

– Our focus and our expertise give us the opportunity to deliver unique, cost-effective solutions for the customer, and assist in the entire process from when the customer presents a problem until we have an operational facility installed, says Hynne.

Uncontrolled and acute emissions occur due to the failure of barriers associated with the chemical plant.

– Prevention of incidents starts with attitude and culture in a company and whether one actually follows their risk analyzes and internal measures, combined with technical barriers such as equipment and systems.

ArcticFlow’s tanks, pipes, and hoses are made with double barriers, such as a double wall and leak alarm. One of these solutions is the Safety Hose system with a leak alarm that can be connected to the customer’s control system.

– The Safety Hose system is unique, and we are the only ones who supply it in the market. The system is cost-effective and takes care of all statutory barriers to the internal distribution of chemicals. In addition, the hose can be supplied without joints up to 500 metres, says Hynne. The hose is built up with two individual layers and also has integrated leak detection throughout the length of the hose, connected to an alarm system. In the event of a leak, the system will give an alarm and can be connected to an SD/control system and, for example, automatically shut off valves or pumps to prevent uncontrolled emissions.

– For ArcticFlow, it is important that you understand the customer’s needs and the requirements of the law, and build a facility that satisfies all the parts when handling the chemical so that you have a safe collection and safeguarding should a leak or accidental spill occur. Through internal product development and close cooperation with suppliers and partners, we can offer a complete solution for the safe storage and internal transport of chemicals, in accordance with the requirements of the tank regulations, concludes Hynne.