Railcar with Spill Containment Track Pan

Railcar Loading with Integrated Spill Containment Track Pan

Railcar loading facilities that regularly handle hazardous bulk liquids require spill precautions. Without adequate equipment, undetected dripping and major spills can result in serious governmental fines. SafeRack’s Ultra-Track Pans act as integrated spill containment that enhances environmental safety by capturing leaks and can protect your company from liability for contamination claims.

How Integrated Spill Containment Track Pans Work

SafeRack’s spill containment track pans work by sitting directly underneath railcars and capturing any drips, leaks, or spills that occur while loading. These systems prevent material from reaching soil or stormwater and direct liquid to separators and holding ponds with clean-out ports. A side gasket sealing system prevents any spills from between track pans and rails.

Ultra-Track Pans Features

SafeRack’s Ultra-Track Pans offer many advantages over containment berms and other spill containment methods. These include:

• Durable: Composite track pans are built with high-strength, non-porous fiberglass that is made to last.
• Low Profile: Our spill containment infrastructure has a base length of 20 feet with a height of only 4-⅞”.
• Modular: Systems can function independently or be attached to each other, creating a larger protected area.
• Easy Installation: SafeRack’s railcar spill containment equipment requires minimal preparation with no excavation and can be assembled without heavy equipment or extensive labor.
• Compatible: Our infrastructure can integrate seamlessly with Pandrol rail fastening systems.
• Customizable: Each Ultra-Track pan can come with optional flow-through technology and polyethylene grating.
• Code Compliant: Every composite track pan is built to comply with SPEC, LEED, SWPPP, BMP, and other relevant certification and agency guidelines.

The Importance of Railcar Spill Containment

Railcar spill containment is essential to avoiding environmental damage and costly fines. While major accidents are what most think of when it comes to spill containment, a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) found that roughly 85% of hazardous materials released during rail loading were non-accident incidents involving small leaks and dripping. Any amount of product that reaches the ground can contaminate groundwater and lead to legal complications.

Any spillage, whether minor leaks or serious accidents, can result in significant fines. Under federal law, the maximum fine for violating Federal hazardous materials transportation laws is $102,348 per violation, increasing to $238,809 for releases that result in death or serious injury or illness. SafeRack’s integrated railcar spill containment track pans can prevent civil penalties, medical bills, and reputation loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a railcar loading system with an integrated spill containment track pan?
It is a rail siding and loading platform configuration that uses railcar track pans beneath the rails to capture spills during loading and unloading operations.

How do railcar track pans improve environmental compliance?
SafeRack track pans improve environmental compliance by directing small leaks or big spills into dedicated containment pools, preventing hazardous releases reaching soil and groundwater. This helps railyards across the country comply with various environmental certification and regulatory guidelines, such as the EPA, LEED, and SWPPP.

What industries is railcar spill containment important in?
Railcar spill containment systems are important in any company that handles hazardous materials. Common products in railcar loading where track pans are vital include oil & gasoline, ethanol, methanol, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and any liquid bulk chemical.

Are railcar spill containment systems customizable for existing rail sidings?
Most installations can be tailored to existing tracks, grades, and layouts, allowing facilities to retrofit a spill containment system for rail siding operations with minimal disruption.

Learn How SafeRack Can Improve Environmental Compliance

If your rail facility handles product without spill containment or relies on temporary berms, SafeRack can help you improve your operation’s safety and environmental protection.

We are a turnkey operation that partners with companies for every step of upgrading rail loading. Our team can conduct a free on-site walkthrough, design custom systems that integrate into your layout, and provide ongoing safety checks to ensure continuous protection. Contact us today to speak with a SafeRack safety expert to learn how we can save your operation time and money while preventing serious incidents.