Salvage drums are used for the handling of leaking or damaged industrial drums, usually those which contain hazardous materials and need to be transported to be safely disposed of or used. Shipping drums and barrels are occasionally damaged during transit due either to overloading, improper stacking or from impact from collisions or handling errors.
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Transportation of damaged drums is the main use of salvage drums, yet they are also used to transport sorbents which have been used to clean up a spill or leak and for industrial overpacking purposes. Salvage drums can range in capacity from a few gallons up to over one hundred gallons. They are designed specifically to be big enough to encompass the entire leaking plastic or steel drum and can be used with open head or closed head drums, steel, plastic and fiber drums. A leaking or damaged drum is placed inside the salvage drum which is then sealed in preparation for transportation. Salvage drums are required to meet stringent quality standards set in place by the UN and US Department of Transportation as they are most often used to transport hazardous or dangerous materials. If the company using drums for salvaging purposes does not use approved drums, they can face fines from the Department of Transportation, especially as often the substances are transported over public roads, and improper sealing of hazardous substances could lead to possible health concerns.
As salvage drums are an official requirement for salvaging leaks and spill kits, they are not usually custom designed although they can typically fit a wide range of products. They mostly vary in dimensions according to the salvaging needs. They are typically a bright safety yellow for easy identification as salvage drums. The drums are further typically required to have an exterior label distinguishing them specifically as being used for salvaging purposes. Salvage drums can be made from heavy-duty plastics or from carbon or stainless steel, depending on the size and the substance requiring transportation. Plastic drums provide a lighter option in terms of weight, but may not provide enough protection for particularly caustic or dangerous substances. The drums are typically lined with a corrosion resistant epoxy phenolic lining which provides further sealing and protection from the hazardous material leaking or spilling. The drums can be sealed and locked, and safety seals or tamper evident closures can be used to further ensure the standards of protection. As with other drums used for shipment purposes, salvage drums will typically undergo harsh testing conditions in order to ensure their reliability.
