Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Practice Exam

What percent of the volume of a container greater than 55 gallons should be allocated for secondary containment?

1. 25%

2. 50%

3. 75%

4. 100%

The correct answer is: 100%

The correct answer is 100% because regulations regarding secondary containment systems typically require that the containment structure must be capable of holding the total volume of the largest container it is designed to contain. For containers greater than 55 gallons, this means that the secondary containment must be able to hold the full volume of the largest container, hence 100% of its volume. This ensures that in the event of a leak or spill, there is sufficient capacity to contain all potential releases, thereby minimizing environmental impact and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. While other percentages might seem reasonable in different contexts, they do not meet the stringent requirements set forth by regulations that prioritize complete containment for larger volumes. Secondary containment systems are critical for preventing hazardous materials from contaminating soil and water sources, and as such, full containment is required when dealing with large containers.