Portable Bunds

Portable bunds provide instant, legally compliant secondary containment without permanent installation — ideal for generators, IBCs, plant machinery, and temporary sites where fixed concrete bunding isn't practical. Collapsible PVC construction deploys tool-free in minutes. Compliant with Environment Agency PPG guidance and the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001. UK stock, fast delivery.

What is a Portable Bund?

A portable bund is a relocatable, temporary secondary containment system — welded PVC or reinforced membrane walls form a sealed bund basin that captures oil, fuel, or chemical spills at source, preventing contamination of soil, drains, and controlled water.

Unlike permanent concrete bunding, portable bunds require no groundworks, no planning permission, and no installation time. A typical unit can be deployed by one operative in under 15 minutes and folded flat for storage or transport when not in use.

Construction options include:

• Welded PVC — the most common and cost-effective material; suitable for most oils, fuels, and mild chemicals
• Reinforced PVC (Fastank-style) — heavy-duty construction for repeated deployment; higher chemical resistance
• XR-5 geomembrane — military and emergency-grade; extreme chemical resistance for specialist applications
• Collapsible folding bunds (Eccotarp-style) — ultra-low profile; slides under machinery without lifting
• Drive-over portable bunds — allows vehicles to drive onto the bund for refuelling operations

Legal status: The Environment Agency accepts properly sized portable bunds as secondary containment under Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG 2). For compliance, the bund must hold a minimum of 110% of the largest single container's volume.

Who uses portable bunds? Site managers, plant hire companies, facilities managers, event organisers, emergency services, utilities contractors, and any operation requiring temporary liquid containment without permanent infrastructure.

Types of Portable Bunds

Not all portable bunds are created equal. Selecting the right type depends on your liquid type, deployment frequency, required capacity, and the environment in which it will be used.

Economy PVC Portable Bunds

• Lightweight, budget-friendly construction
• Suitable for light-duty or short-term deployments
• Ideal for: single generators, small IBCs, temporary fuel storage
• Capacity range: typically 100L to 2,000L
• Best for: infrequent use, low chemical aggression

Fastank Heavy-Duty Portable Bunds

• Reinforced PVC construction — built for repeated deployment
• Higher load capacity; self-supporting walls
• Ideal for: construction sites, plant hire, events, utility works
• Capacity range: 500L to 5,000L+
• Best for: frequent use, heavy plant, forklift loading areas

Eccotarp / Folding Collapsible Bunds

• Ultra-low profile design — slides under stationary machinery
• Folds flat to A4-size when not deployed
• Ideal for: transformer maintenance, parked machinery, generator servicing
• Capacity range: 25L to 1,000L
• Best for: planned maintenance where plant cannot be moved

Drive-Over Portable Bunds

• Reinforced base allows vehicles to drive directly into the bund
• Ideal for: vehicle refuelling areas, bowser deployment, HGV maintenance
• Capacity range: 2,000L to 10,000L+
• Best for: permanent-temporary refuelling stations and road tanker offloading

XR-5 Membrane Bunds

• Military and emergency-grade membrane construction
• Extreme chemical resistance — acids, alkalis, hydrocarbons
• Ideal for: hazmat response, chemical emergency containment
• Best for: specialist applications and emergency services

Key Features & Specifications

Feature	Economy PVC	Fastank Heavy-Duty	Eccotarp Folding	Drive-Over
Capacity Range	100L – 2,000L	500L – 5,000L+	25L – 1,000L	2,000L – 10,000L+
Setup Time	5–10 minutes	10–20 minutes	2–5 minutes	15–30 minutes
Material	PVC	Reinforced PVC	Folding PVC	Reinforced PVC / HDPE
Chemical Resistance	Oils, fuels, water	Oils, fuels, dilute chemicals	Oils, fuels	Oils, fuels
Forklift Access	No	Some models	No	Yes (drive-over)
Storage	Folds flat	Folds flat / carry bag	Folds to A4	Rolls / folds
110% Compliant	✓ (when correctly sized)	✓	✓	✓

Portable Bunds — Compliance & Legal Requirements

Secondary containment is a legal requirement in the UK for most non-domestic liquid storage operations. Portable bunds satisfy this requirement when correctly sized and deployed — but understanding the specific regulations that apply to your operation is essential.

Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

These regulations require secondary containment for any non-domestic oil storage exceeding 200 litres. The containment must hold a minimum of 110% of the maximum capacity of the container being stored. A portable bund sized to 110% of your IBC, generator fuel tank, or drum volume will satisfy this requirement for temporary or mobile operations.

Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG 2, PPG 26)

PPG 2 explicitly recognises portable bunds as a legitimate form of secondary containment for temporary sites and mobile plant. However, the bund must be:

• In good condition — no holes, tears, or damaged seams
• Correctly sized — 110% of the largest container volume
• Deployed whenever liquid is present or being transferred
• Managed so accumulated rainwater is tested and safely disposed of before it dilutes pollutants

COSHH Regulations 2002

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations require employers to assess spill risks from hazardous substances and implement adequate containment measures. Portable bunds form part of a compliant COSHH risk control strategy for mobile or temporary chemical storage.

Construction Sites — HSE Requirements

The HSE's guidance for construction sites requires that fuel, oil, and chemical storage on site is contained. The temporary nature of construction makes portable bunds the standard solution — moved from phase to phase as the site progresses.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

The Environment Agency can prosecute under the Water Resources Act 1991 for any release of polluting material to controlled water. Penalties include unlimited fines, criminal prosecution, and a mandatory remediation order — the cost of cleaning up an oil spill from soil or groundwater typically runs from £50,000 to over £500,000. A portable bund costing a few hundred pounds is not optional insurance — it is a legal obligation.

Industries & Applications

Portable bunds are used across virtually every sector that operates mobile or temporary liquid storage:

Construction & Civil Engineering

Excavators, telehandlers, cranes, and piling rigs all carry significant quantities of hydraulic oil. A portable bund deployed around the machine's drip zone, or under a diesel bowser at the refuelling point, satisfies both HSE and Environment Agency requirements. As the site evolves, the bund moves with the plant.

Utilities & Infrastructure

Water companies, electricity networks, and telecoms contractors frequently use portable bunds around temporary pumping stations, generators, and cable-laying equipment where permanent bunding would be impractical.

Events & Temporary Power

Large events using diesel generators for temporary power are required to have secondary containment under the Control of Pollution Regulations. A correctly sized portable bund around each generator satisfies this requirement and is standard practice for responsible event management.

Transformer & Electrical Substation Maintenance

Oil-filled transformers containing mineral oil or legacy PCB oils represent a significant environmental spill risk. The Environment Agency requires secondary containment for transformers holding more than 25 litres of oil. Low-profile folding bunds (Eccotarp-style) can be deployed around in-situ transformers without removing them from service.

Agricultural & Farming Operations

Farms moving seasonal chemical or fertiliser storage, or using mobile generators during harvest, benefit from portable bunds that can be repositioned as operations change. Particularly relevant for farms near watercourses.

Emergency Spill Response

Large-capacity portable bunds (5,000L–50,000L) are deployed by fire brigades, hazmat response teams, and environmental response contractors to contain active spills or create temporary collection points for contaminated liquid during remediation operations.

Manufacturing & Maintenance

Planned maintenance on CNC machines, hydraulic presses, and industrial equipment benefits from a portable bund deployed during the maintenance window — no need for permanent bunding in every area of a facility.

Buying Guide — How to Choose the Right Portable Bund

Selecting the correct portable bund requires you to answer five key questions before purchasing:

1. What liquid are you containing?

Standard PVC bunds are suitable for diesel, hydraulic oil, mineral oil, water, and mild chemicals. For aggressive chemicals — concentrated acids, alkalis, or solvents — you need an XR-5 or specialist chemical-resistant membrane. If in doubt, check the Safety Data Sheet of your liquid against the bund's chemical resistance chart.

2. What is the required capacity?

Calculate 110% of your largest container's volume. For a 1,000L IBC, you need a bund with a minimum capacity of 1,100L. For a diesel generator with a 400L base tank, the minimum bund capacity is 440L. Always round up to the next available size for a safety margin.

3. How frequently will it be deployed?

For daily or weekly deployment, invest in a heavy-duty Fastank-style bund. Economy PVC bunds are suitable for monthly or occasional use. Repeated deployment of a lightweight bund degrades the seams prematurely.

4. Indoors or outdoors?

Outdoor bunds accumulate rainwater in the sump. This water must be tested before disposal — if contaminated, it is classified as controlled waste. For outdoor use, consider a covered bund or a bund with a drain valve to manage water accumulation.

5. Do you need drive-over or forklift access?

If vehicles or forklifts need to enter the bunded area — for refuelling or IBC movement — you need a drive-over portable bund or a model with reinforced access ramps. Standard bunds are not designed to take vehicle load and will fail if driven over.

For permanent IBC containment, see our IBC spill pallets. For permanent drum containment, see drum spill pallets. For fuel spill response, see our oil spill kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are portable bunds legally compliant for secondary containment in the UK?

Yes — the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG 2) explicitly recognise portable bunds as an acceptable form of secondary containment for temporary sites and mobile plant. The bund must hold a minimum of 110% of the largest container's volume and must be maintained in good condition. They are widely used by construction companies, utilities contractors, and event organisers to meet legal containment requirements without permanent infrastructure.

What size portable bund do I need for a 1,000 litre IBC?

Under the 110% rule, you need a bund with a minimum capacity of 1,100 litres to contain a 1,000L IBC. We recommend choosing a 1,200L or larger bund to allow for a margin above the legal minimum. If storing two IBCs simultaneously, you need a bund large enough to contain 110% of the total stored volume — typically 2,200L minimum for two 1,000L IBCs.

Can I use a portable bund for a diesel generator?

Yes — portable bunds are the standard containment solution for diesel generators on temporary sites, events, and construction projects. Size the bund to 110% of the generator's base fuel tank capacity. For event generators, ensure the bund is deployed whenever the generator is running or fuelled. A Fastank or economy PVC bund in the 500L–2,000L range covers most generator sizes.

How long does a portable bund take to set up?

Most portable bunds can be set up by one person without tools. Economy PVC bunds typically take 5–10 minutes. Heavy-duty Fastank units take 10–20 minutes for larger sizes. Folding Eccotarp-style bunds designed to slide under machinery can be deployed in 2–5 minutes. The walls are self-supporting once unfolded and filled with liquid — no staking or anchoring required on flat surfaces.

Can portable bunds be used in cold or outdoor winter conditions?

Standard PVC portable bunds can become brittle in very cold temperatures (below -10°C), increasing the risk of cracking during deployment. For winter outdoor use, choose a heavy-duty reinforced PVC or XR-5 membrane bund rated for low-temperature conditions. Ensure the bund is stored indoors when not in use to prevent UV degradation and cold-related material fatigue. If liquid in the bund is likely to freeze, use a bund with a drain valve so it can be emptied before temperatures drop.

Why Buy From Spill Control Products UK?

We are a specialist spill control supplier — portable bunds and secondary containment are our core business, not an afterthought in a broad safety catalogue.

• Full range in stock: Economy PVC, heavy-duty Fastank-style, low-profile folding, and drive-over bunds — from 100L to 5,000L+
• Correctly sized for compliance: All bunds listed with capacity in litres so you can verify 110% compliance before purchase
• Generator, IBC, transformer, and vehicle options: We understand use-case requirements, not just product specifications
• Accessories available: Liners, drain plugs, ground protection mats, and repair kits to complete your containment solution
• Fast UK delivery from stock: Emergency orders prioritised — call us direct if you need same-day or next-day despatch
• Technical support: Our team can advise on the correct bund type, size, and accessories for your specific operation and compliance requirements
• Trusted by: construction contractors, utilities providers, local authorities, NHS trusts, event management companies, and industrial manufacturers across the UK

Browse our full range of portable bunds, or explore related containment products: IBC spill pallets, drum spill pallets, and bunded fuel tanks for permanent storage solutions.