California Designated Operator Practice Exam

What should the floor of the secondary containment system be designed to do?

1. Prevent any liquid from entering

2. Drain towards a collection sump

3. Be level with the ground

4. Support heavy vehicles

The correct answer is: Drain towards a collection sump

The design of the floor of the secondary containment system is crucial for managing spills or leaks from stored materials. The correct approach is to have the floor drained toward a collection sump. This design allows any spilled liquid to be contained in a specific area, making it easier to manage and remove in the event of a spill. The collection sump serves as a reservoir for any liquid that may leak, helping to minimize environmental impact and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Options that suggest preventing any liquid from entering or being level with the ground do not account for the need for spill management. While preventing liquid from entering might seem advantageous, in practice, it does not provide a mechanism for handling spills effectively. Meanwhile, a level floor could lead to pooling, which could create more significant issues if a spill occurs. Supporting heavy vehicles is also an important consideration, but it is secondary to the primary function of the containment system, which focuses on effectively managing potential spills and ensuring safety.