Description

Type of control

Physical.

When you would use this?

Containment should be used whenever possible. This is a broadly applicable control that can benefit a vast array of sites and businesses.

Suitable for: as this control involves the containment of odour producing sources it can be implemented to control almost any odour or potential odour.

Industries that would use this: All industries could benefit from this control, however, sites that receive, manage, or produce highly odorous materials have the most to gain from this control. It is also highly recommended for businesses which conduct potentially odorous activities outside.

Details and considerations

• It should be noted that containment does not treat produced odour, it simply prevents produced odour from spreading and impacting nearby sensitive receptors.
• Odour producing processes and stockpiles should always be stored indoors wherever possible.
• When storing odorous materials indoors, odour can be prevented from leaving the building by ensuring doors and building openings are properly sealed, and maintaining negative pressure with correct extraction fans.
• If processes or stockpiles cannot be stored indoors, the appropriate odour cover should be used to contain the odour. You may consider how often the stockpile will need to be accessed, and what sort of weather protection the stockpile will require. For further information see the odour covers guidance sheet.
• Ensure the odour cover you select covers the entire surface of the stockpile and is secured appropriately for the material used.
• In the event a process or stockpile cannot be stored indoors or covered with an appropriate odour cover, ensure appropriate separation distances between the adjoining property and yours so no odour pollution is emitted past your property boundaries. For information on appropriate separation distances see ‘Recommended separation distances for industrial residual air emissions – guideline’ (EPA publication 1518).
• When loading or unloading odorous materials, ensure you follow good site planning and management procedures. Further information can be found in the site planning and management guidance sheet.
• Maintaining an air-lock system can help prevent odour pollution during loading or unloading of odorous materials.
• Some processes or stockpiles may produce unsafe by-products in addition to odour, it is important in these instances to ensure you have adequate odour capture mechanisms and treatments before exhausting this air outside of the building.

Further information

‘Recommended separation distances for industrial residual air emissions – guideline’ (EPA publication 1518): provides guidance on buffer requirements for minimum distances between odour producing sources and your site perimeter.

Odour guidance sheets:

Site planning & management.

Effective odour capture systems.

Odour covers.