Bund Design & Engineering
CIRIA C736 & COMAH Compliance
CIRIA C736‑aligned bunds that meet structural integrity, volumetric capacity, drainage, and lining requirements
Bunds are one of the most critical elements of secondary containment — the last line of defence against environmental harm, chemical releases, and firewater run‑off. Whether you’re installing a new bund, upgrading an ageing structure, increasing bund capacity, or responding to COMAH‑driven redesign requirements, the engineering must be precise, durable, and fully aligned with CIRIA C736. Arthian’s multidisciplinary engineers design bunds that deliver long‑term structural integrity, compliant containment performance, and operational resilience across chemical, manufacturing, utilities, and energy sectors.
Our approach combines bund engineering, structural design, volumetric modelling, drainage strategy, and lining specification into a single, robust design package — giving dutyholders confidence that their bunds meet regulatory expectations and withstand real‑world conditions.
Why High‑Integrity Bund Design Matters
Bunds must safely contain hazardous liquids, withstand hydrostatic loads, and manage rainfall, firewater, and spill scenarios. Poor bund design leads to enforcement action, pollution incidents, and costly remediation. With increasing regulatory scrutiny — particularly for COMAH sites — bunds must demonstrate clear compliance with CIRIA C736, HSE expectations, and environmental protection standards.
Arthian’s bund design service ensures:
- Structural integrity under full hydrostatic load
- Correct bund capacity for tanks, pipework, rainfall, and firewater
- Compliant drainage systems that maintain containment
- Durable lining systems compatible with stored materials
- Clear documentation for regulators, insurers, and internal assurance
Our Bund Design & Engineering Capabilities
Structural Integrity
Structural integrity is the foundation of bund performance. Arthian designs bunds to resist hydrostatic pressure, surcharge loads, settlement, and long‑term deterioration. Our engineering includes:
- Structural calculations and modelling
- Reinforced concrete and masonry bund design
- Crack control and durability design
- Load path analysis for tanks, pipework, and equipment
All structural design aligns with CIRIA C736 and industry best practice.
Volumetric Capacity Assessment
Bund capacity must be calculated accurately to ensure compliant containment. Arthian provides full volumetric modelling for:
- Primary vessel volume
- Multi‑tank bunds
- Firewater run‑off
- Rainfall ingress
- Freeboard requirements
Our bund capacity assessments support COMAH safety reports, redesigns, and capacity increases.
Drainage & Water Management
Bund drainage must prevent overtopping while maintaining containment integrity. We design:
- Controlled drainage systems
- Penstock valves and isolation points
- Sumps and pump‑out arrangements
- Oil‑water separators
- Firewater containment pathways
All drainage solutions follow CIRIA C736 and pollution prevention guidance.
Lining Systems & Material Selection
Bund lining systems must be chemically compatible, durable, and maintain containment integrity. Arthian specifies:
- Concrete linings
- Epoxy and chemical‑resistant coatings
- Geomembranes
- Hybrid lining systems
We provide full chemical compatibility checks and lifecycle cost analysis.
COMAH‑Driven Redesigns
COMAH sites face heightened scrutiny around bund performance. Arthian supports:
- COMAH safety report updates
- Bund redesigns and capacity increases
- Structural upgrades
- Secondary containment strategy reviews
- Regulator‑aligned documentation
Design Process & Deliverables
- Existing bund review
- Geotechnical constraints
- Tank farm layout and access
- Structural modelling
- Volumetric calculations
- Drainage strategy
- Lining specification
- Detailed drawings
- Contractor support
- Quality assurance
- CIRIA C736 alignment
- COMAH justification
- Environmental protection measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you assess bund capacity and containment compliance?
Yes—our surveys include bund volume modelling and containment strategy assessments aligned with COMAH containment policy and CIRIA C736.
Can you help with bund compliance and containment strategy?
Absolutely. We assess bund capacity, permeability, and structural integrity, and model containment scenarios aligned with COMAH containment policy.
Do you assess bund integrity and capacity?
Yes—we offer bund permeability testing, capacity modelling, and structural appraisal aligned with CIRIA C736 and COMAH containment policy.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.