Mobile Refueler Containment Systems for Effective Spill Protection

A refueler that parks on bare ground between runs drips from its valves, hoses, and fittings, and one failed seal can empty a compartment onto the lot. Mobile refueler containment gives every fuel truck a contained spot to park and fill. Leaks stay on the pad instead of reaching soil, storm drains, or nearby water.

What Is a Mobile Refueler and Why Does It Need Containment?

The EPA defines a mobile refueler as “a bulk storage container onboard a vehicle or being towed that is designed or used solely to store and transport fuel for transfer” into or from aircraft, motor vehicles, locomotives, vessels, ground service equipment, or other oil storage containers. According to the EPA’s mobile refueler guidance, mobile refuelers operate at locations such as:

Industrial sites
Airports
Military bases
Construction sites
Chemical complexes
Mining sites
Seaport terminals
Tank truck home bases

Refuelers move constantly, and every bump, jolt, and tight turn puts stress on tanks, valves, and hose connections. Mobile refueler containment catches the leaks and drips that follow, whether the truck is parked overnight or transferring fuel on site.

The Containment Pad™ for Mobile Refueler Fuel Spill Containment and Prevention

Fuel Containment Compliance Under the SPCC Rule

In December 2006, the EPA removed the sized secondary containment requirement for mobile refuelers at non-transportation-related facilities. The rule no longer requires a dike or catchment basin that holds the capacity of the largest compartment. General secondary containment under 40 CFR 112.7(c) still applies. According to the EPA’s secondary containment requirements for mobile refuelers, that containment must address “the most likely discharge from the container and from oil transfers into or from the mobile refueler.” It must also keep spilled oil from escaping before cleanup. In practice, your SPCC plan needs to show where refuelers park, where they transfer fuel, and what keeps a spill from leaving those areas. A containment pad covers all three with one structure.

The Best Fuel Containment System for Mobile Refuelers

Polystar’s Containment Pad™ is a drive-on fuel containment system. It is built from quarter-inch steel plate encapsulated in a nominal 1/16-inch fiberglass lamination. It installs on any flat, compacted surface, and its 3-5/8-inch walls let loaded refuelers drive on and off without scraping. Custom wall heights are available for vehicles that cannot clear four inches when fully loaded. A 14-foot by 40-foot pad installs in less than a day and is ready for use within 24 hours. Pads can be built to any size, and two or more can be connected to increase containment volume. For rainwater, an optional filter box with a peat filter captures hydrocarbons while water drains. Any excess release can be routed through the drain ports to a sump or tank.

Field Refueling Secondary Containment and Fuel Truck Spill Containment Berms

Not every refueling stop has a fixed pad. Construction sites, remote equipment yards, and temporary operations need field refueling secondary containment that can move with the work. Portable refueling containment mats can catch nozzle drips at a single piece of equipment. For a refueler that parks on site or unloads into storage, Polystar’s relocatable pads and fuel truck spill containment berms contain the whole truck. One bulk fuel transfer facility needed containment along a 245-foot unloading lane with limited room to turn. Polystar built a custom system with:

A width of 14 feet and 8-inch walls
18-foot-wide entrances and exits
20,000 gallons of containment capacity

It was installed in two days and can be broken into smaller units for future use. Read the full fuel pad containment success story.

Containment Pad Advantages for Mobile Refueler Containment

Low 3-5/8-inch walls for easy entry by loaded fuel trucks
Steel and fiberglass construction that will not crack or absorb hydrocarbons the way concrete can
Ready for use within 24 hours of installation
Modular pads that connect to increase containment volume
Optional peat filter box for controlled rainwater drainage
Relocatable to a new site without excavation
Clears with snow melt or a snow blower (no steel-bladed plows)

Have questions about the right setup for your fleet? See our fuel and truck containment pad FAQs or contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile Refueler Containment

Do mobile refuelers need sized secondary containment?

No. Since the EPA’s December 2006 SPCC amendment, mobile refuelers at non-transportation-related facilities are exempt from sized secondary containment. General secondary containment under 40 CFR 112.7(c) still applies and must address the most likely discharge from the refueler and its transfers.

How long does it take to install a refueler containment pad?

A 14-foot by 40-foot Containment Pad installs in less than a day and is ready for use within 24 hours. Larger custom systems take longer, depending on size and site conditions.

How much clearance does a fuel truck need to enter the pad?

The standard Containment Pad wall stands 3-5/8 inches high. Polystar can customize the system for vehicles that cannot clear four inches when fully loaded.

How do you handle snow on a refueler containment pad?

Use snow melt or a snow blower. Do not use steel-bladed snow plows on the containment pad surface.

Request a Quote for Mobile Refueler Containment

Give your refuelers a compliant place to park and transfer fuel. Polystar designs and manufactures mobile refueler containment in the USA for airports, construction sites, fleet yards, and military bases. Request a quote for a Containment Pad sized to your trucks.

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