Spill Kit Sizes: Which is Right For You?

A women removing spill containment equipment

An accidental spill can spread quickly across a workplace floor, so having the right spill kit size on hand is essential to contain it promptly. In the UK, spill kits are not a legal requirement, but failing to respond effectively to a spill when you reasonably could have can lead to environmental damage, which could result in prosecution by the British Environment Agency. Regulations require businesses to have adequate facilities to contain any spills and protect the environment, and a properly stocked spill kit is the simplest way to ensure you have all the equipment needed for a fast, effective response in one convenient place.

When it comes to choosing the right size for your premises, as a rule of thumb, plan for the worst case scenario. The spill kit size you need will depend largely on the maximum amount of liquid you will be handling during an incident, so determine the largest ‘likely’ spill from your largest liquid container or holding tank and let that inform your decision.

If you still would like an idea for which spill kit size is right for you, this blog will go through each key size bracket and give an overview of what types of environments they are suited for, what quantities of equipment you’ll find and any other points to consider. Whether you have a 20-litre storage drum or a 1000-litre IBC, we provide a range of over 100 kits that accommodate for these and everything in between. What’s more, if you require a kit that isn’t in our range, you can contact us directly about creating a custom kit to suit your needs.

Small Spill Kits (15L-60L)

Small spill kits are designed for minor spills and are common in laboratories, workshops, garages, and other areas handling limited liquid volumes. They are also ideal for mobile uses – for example, kept on commercial vehicles or maintenance vans for on-the-spot spill response. For larger facilities, multiple small kits strategically placed around the premises can be more effective than a single large kit stored far away. In fact, distributing several small kits across a wide workspace ensures that any spill can be reached and managed quickly. For example, a portable spill kit in a wheeled bin or carry bag can be moved rapidly to the spill location, reducing the chance of contamination spreading.

We offer a range of spill kit sizes, classified by their total absorbent capacity, from our entry-level 15-litre kits to our more comprehensive 60-litre options. Typical small spill kit contents are as follows:

  • 20L: 10 x absorbent pads, 2 x 1.2m absorbent socks
  • 30L: 15 x absorbent pads, 3 x 1.2m absorbent socks
  • 40L: 20 x absorbent pads, 4 x 1.2m absorbent socks
  • 45L: 25 x absorbent pads, 3 x 1.2m absorbent socks
  • 50L: 25 x absorbent pads, 2 x 3m absorbent socks

As well as absorbents, these kits also contain disposal bags for used materials and some include a pair of gloves for safe handling.

Medium Spill Kits (65L-90L)

Medium spill kits are suited for moderate spill risks, such as those in light industrial sites, factories, warehouses and maintenance areas where liquid is present. These kits strike a balance between capacity and portability – able to accommodate up to 90L of liquid spillage, but also available in wheeled bins which can be quickly rolled to the scene of a spill.

Typical medium spill kit contents are as follows:

  • 65L: 23 x absorbent pads, 3 x 3m absorbent socks
  • 80L: 30 x absorbent pads, 2 x 3m absorbent socks, 5 x 1.2m absorbent socks
  • 90L: 40 x absorbent pads, 4 x 3m absorbent socks

In addition to the absorbents, some medium spill kits include drainage equipment such as sealing putty or drain covers, as well as caution tape to ensure responders and workers stay safe while handling larger spills.

Large Spill Kits (120L-1100L)

Large spill kits are designed for high-risk locations and worst-case spill scenarios. High-volume kits (120 litres and above) are commonly used in environments such as bulk drum and IBC storage areas, chemical processing plants, fuel transfer and refuelling points, and large industrial or construction sites. In such settings, the potential spill could be hundreds of litres at once. For example, a full 1000L intermediate bulk container (IBC) failing, or a major equipment failure causing an oil release.

UK regulations stipulate that oils or chemicals kept in containers over 200L must be stored within a bunded area to contain any major leak. However, even with bunds in place, spills can still occur during handling or transfers. This is why large-capacity spill kits are a critical second line of defence for such situations: they enable an on-the-spot response to contain and clean up any overflow that escapes primary containment.

Typical large spill kit contents are as follows:

  • 120L: 45 x absorbent pads, 6 x 3m absorbent socks
  • 240L: 100 x absorbent pads, 11 x 3m absorbent socks
  • 250L: 100 x absorbent pads, 13 x 3m absorbent socks
  • 360L: 200 x absorbent pads, 13 x 3m absorbent socks 
  • 400L: 200 x absorbent pads, 16 x 3m absorbent socks
  • 800L: 200 x absorbent pads, 32 x 3m absorbent socks, 2 x absorbent rolls
  • 1100L: 300 x absorbent pads, 40 x 3m absorbent socks, 3 x absorbent rolls

As well as plenty of absorbent materials, most of these kits also come with many tools to manage a spill area. This includes drainage plugging and coverage equipment, heavy-duty disposal bags and barrier tape. They are truly an all-in-one emergency spill response station for major incidents.

How Many Spill Kits Do I Need?

Determining the number of spill kits you need is just as important as the size you need. It may be better to have multiple smaller kits than one large spill kit, depending on factors such as the layout of your facility and how well-covered the risk areas are with one spill kit. For more information, consult our complete spill kit guide.

Finding the Right Kit

Choosing the correct spill kit involves matching the kit type and size to your specific hazards. In this article, we focused on sizing, but if you’d like more detailed help on, say, deciding between oil and fuel vs chemical kits, or understanding UK spill regulations in depth, please refer to our complete Spill Kit Guide.

Choose SpillShop for Quality Spill Control

When it comes to managing industrial spills, choosing the right supplier is just as important as choosing the right product. At SpillShop, we distinguish ourselves by not only providing top-quality spill containment solutions, but also end-to-end support to help businesses achieve excellence in spill preparedness. From an extensive range of spill kits (for oil, chemical, and general spills) to spill response training programs, SpillShop equips organisations with all the tools and knowledge needed to handle accidents swiftly and in compliance with UK regulations. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you prepare your workplace for any emergency.