Environmental containment system

Abstract

A containment system has a plurality of concrete blocks. The concrete blocks each have sides, ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, a male interlocking element extending from one of the ends, and a female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and/or one of the sides. The plurality of concrete blocks may be interlocked together to form a containment perimeter. A security fencing structure may be operably mounted on top of the concrete blocks of the containment system.

1 . A containment system comprising:
 a plurality of concrete blocks having sides, ends, a top surface, and a bottom surface,   each of the concrete blocks further having a male interlocking element extending from one of the ends, and a female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and/or one of the sides, such that the plurality of concrete blocks may be interlocked together to form a containment perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The containment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a security fencing structure comprising:
 a plurality of floor post flanges fastened with fasteners to the top surfaces of at least some of the plurality of concrete blocks;   a plurality of support posts, each of the support posts being operably mounted on one of the plurality of floor post flanges;   a chain link fence; and   a plurality of mounting elements for mounting the chain link fence upon the plurality of support posts.   
     
     
         3 . The containment system of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting elements include tensioning elements for tensioning the chain link fence. 
     
     
         4 . The containment system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the concrete blocks further includes a rebar component formed within the concrete block, and a top aperture formed in the top surface, wherein the rebar component extends upwardly to and through the top aperture, thereby forming a lifting point within the top aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The containment system of  claim 1 , wherein at least four of the concrete blocks include the female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and at least one of the sides. 
     
     
         6 . The containment system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the concrete blocks is at least 12″ by 15″ by 20″ weighing over 1000 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The containment system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the concrete blocks is approximately 18″ by 30″ by 60″, weighing roughly 2600 pounds, and is formed using a 3000 psi concrete mix. 
     
     
         8 . A containment system comprising:
 a plurality of concrete blocks having sides, ends, a top surface, and a bottom surface, each of the concrete blocks further having a male interlocking element extending from one of the ends, and a female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, or one of the sides, such that the plurality of concrete blocks may be interlocked together to form a containment perimeter; and   a security fencing structure comprising:
 a plurality of floor post flanges fastened with fasteners to the top surfaces of at least some of the plurality of concrete blocks; 
 a plurality of support posts, each of the support posts being operably mounted on one of the plurality of floor post flanges; 
 a chain link fence; and 
 a plurality of mounting elements for mounting the chain link fence upon the plurality of support posts such that the security fencing structure extends around the containment perimeter. 
   
     
     
         9 . The containment system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the concrete blocks further includes a rebar component formed within the concrete block, and a top aperture formed in the top surface, wherein the rebar component extends upwardly to and through the top aperture, thereby forming a lifting point within the top aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The containment system of  claim 8 , wherein at least four of the concrete blocks include the female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and at least one of the sides. 
     
     
         11 . The containment system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the concrete blocks is at least 12″ by 15″ by 20″ weighing over 1000 pounds. 
     
     
         12 . The containment system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the concrete blocks is approximately 18″ by 30″ by 60″, weighing roughly 2600 pounds, and is formed using a 3000 psi concrete mix. 
     
     
         13 . A method for forming a containment system around equipment that might lead to a toxic spill, the method comprising the steps of:
 preparing a site around the equipment so that it is relatively flat and free from obstruction;   forming a plurality of concrete blocks, each of the concrete blocks having sides, ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, a male interlocking element extending from one of the ends, and a female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and/or one of the sides;   interlocking the male and female interlocking elements of the plurality of concrete blocks to form a containment perimeter around the equipment;   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of the concrete blocks includes a rebar component formed within the concrete block, and a top aperture formed in the top surface, wherein the rebar component extends upwardly to and through the top aperture, thereby forming a lifting point within the top aperture, and
 wherein the step of interlocking the male and female interlocking elements is performed by lifting each of the concrete blocks via the lifting point and moving it to the proper position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 proving a plurality of floor post flanges, a plurality of support posts, and a chain link fence;   fastening the floor post flanges to the top surfaces of at least some of the plurality of concrete blocks;   mounting each of the support posts on one of the plurality of floor post flanges; and   mounting the chain link fence upon the support posts to form a security fencing structure around the containment perimeter, to thereby enclose the equipment.