Performance
How does it work? The Chadd Padd® is a multifunctional fuel mat that protects the surface of the craft being fueled and is primary for petroleum based fuel spill recovery keeping the boat and the water clean and free of fuels and oils! The Chadd Padds™ only absorb petroleum based fluids and have pre-perforated off-set holes that create hanging chadds once executed to allow for safe and easy fueling with any petroleum based liquid.
When should I use them? Anytime petroleum fluids are handled.
How many times can I “use” the Chadd Padd before I should dispose of it? The Chadd Padds® are certified for a one-time use only when used as a fueling mat. However, a few of our users have reported to have used them several times before disposing of them if no petroleum was spilt on them. When used as general spill response, they can be used in whatever manner best fits the application.
How much fuel does each Padd hold? Each 15”x 20” (large) Padd holds approximately 11 fluid ounces of petroleum while the smaller 10”x 10” Padd holds about 4 fluid ounces (specific gravity depending for each).
How should I dispose of them? Chadd Padds® that have NO petroleum products on them or any other hazardous materials can usually be disposed of like normal trash. For Padds that do have or are suspected to have petroleum products or any other hazardous materials on them should be disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. For marinas or other commercial uses, the Padds should be disposed of in the common hazmat container (that all marinas should already have in place to handle their used spill products) which is normally separate from other containers and picked up by a company who specializes in these types of materials. When the Padds are used for non-commercial use and soiled with petroleum products or similar, most applicable laws will allow for normal disposal but you should always confirm the disposal laws of flammable / combustible materials that apply to the area or region that they are being disposed in.
NOTE: A select few of our competing vendors claim to sell similar absorbent pads, dispersants, emulsifiers, or other materials that "neutralize" hydrocarbon products, allowing them to be safely disposed of in regular trash with no side effects. The DEP is unaware of any such material or chemistry which confirms this to be true as most substrate's take on the basic chemical make-up of the hydrocarbons (fuels) they are absorbing. In other words, there is no magic bullet for all spills the Padd my come in contact with.
Can the Chadd Padd® be used in windy conditions? Yes. The Chadd Padd® (15”x 20”) works perfectly in windy conditions when used in conjunction with the Wind Chocks™; and are rated for use in winds up to 20 knots. The Wind Chocks™ add weight, rigidity, and form, to the Padd which means a hands-free application for you.
Do you have to use Wind Chocks? No, but as explained above, the Wind Chocks™ only enhance the performance and versatility of the larger, 15”x 20” Chadd Padds® - the smaller 10”x 10” Padds are normally used by themselves as the user holds them in place while fueling although Wind Chocks™ can also be used.
Can they be used in the rain, snow, or wet conditions? Yes. The Chadd Padds® are hydrophobic which means they repel water and float; they will only soak up petroleum based materials. Another great application is to leave one in the bilge to soak up any fuels or oils before pump out to ensure that only water is actually being pumped out.
Do the Padds have a static charge or will they increase static electricity? No. They are treated with an anti-static coating and are static resistant. In fact they actually reduce the static electricity generated by normal refueling compared to using other devices or nothing at all.
What quantities / packaging do the Chadd Padds come in? The large Chadd Padds® come on a roll of 18 Padds; each in their own dispenser box which has a built in loader rail for easy Wind Chock™ "loading" – perfect to keep on board for immediate at-the-dock use! Think of them as a box of rags to the 10th power. The smaller 10”x 10” Padds come in a pack of 6 for convenience and portability (great to keep in the locker box of wave runners) or on a roll of 36 for bulk savings
Customization
Are the Chadd Padds customizable? Yes - you draw it or provide it and we can print it
How many colors do I have to choose from for my design? Hundreds - almost any color is available for printing.
How many colors can I use at once on my custom design? Up to six colors can be used at once but two is the most common number of colors used per design.
Will the inks bleed or run once exposed to petroleum? No. All inks used on the Chadd Padd® are petroleum resistant. Our special ink formulation allows for maximum color vibrancy and cost effectiveness, yet they will not bleed or run when exposed to diesel, 87, 89, 93, high-octane racing fuels, hydraulic fluid, or even MEK solvent.
What form do the Customized Padds come in? All Padds come in Rolls - 36qty for the 10x10 & 18qty for the 15x20; unless otherwise specified. Both rolls are 5 inches in diameter.
What other standard forms are the Chadd Padds available in? For the 15x20, just the Roll of 18 but for the 10x10, they are available in the Roll of 36 OR in Packs of 6 (6-Packs).
Can I have my custom Padds made into the 6-Packs as well as Rolls? Yes. When placing your custom order, please specify how many Rolls you would like converted into 6-Packs (1 Roll = 6, 6-Packs); 1 Roll is the minimum.
Is there an additional charge for 6-Packs conversion? Yes - $1 per 6-Pack or $6 per Roll. One Roll is the minimum for 6-Pack conversion.
Why would I want to convert any Rolls to 6-Packs? Retail money! OR for a smaller package you might be trying to fit the Padds into OR for gift or promotional give-aways. Some of our customers also have retail stores where they sell similar products. The Chadd Padd® gives its customers the opportunity to make money from a product most are required to have where fuel is dispensed commercially. Each 6-Pack is retail-ready for immediate off-the-shelf sales and come with their own UCC bar code. Since our customer has their own custom design on the Padd, they can then make money from their customers that buy the Padd from their store with their custom logo on it which further promotes their name – a win/win for all involved.
How do I get started with customizing my own Chadd Padds®? Simply visit our “Customize” page of this web site – it’s as simple as print, draw, and fax!
Necessity
Can I use the Chadd Padds® for regular spill response material and every day use as well as for a fueling mat? Yes. In fact, the Padds also count for approved spill response material for marinas as required by EPA regulations that govern marina fueling stations – Safety first!
Which size Padds should I get? One of our most common questions; this depends on a few factors from the point of view of the user. The first is the flow rate of the fuel pumps you normally use; meaning if you gas up at a land gas station while on a trailer, the 10x10 will be great, but if it’s at a marina with the large, high speed hoses or the even larger diesel hoses, then the 15x20 will be a better fit. Remember, choose the size that best fits your normal applications – if in doubt, go bigger or have one of each size to maximize performance. If you use a high flow-rate hose but prefer the convenience of the smaller Padds (as many of our marina customers do) just use more than one – two 10 x10’s are almost the same thing as one 15x20.
How many Chadd Padds® should I get? For private boat owners, one roll of either size should do but depending on what size your boat is, you may want to have several rolls on hand to keep through out the vessel for a quick, easy reach should a “situation” arise (at the helm, in the engine room, near the fueling ports, etc.). For marinas and commercial vessels, multiple boxes and/or rolls are suggested depending on logistics and preference. Please see our “Wholesale” page for volume discounts of either size. One of the best reasons for marinas to use and provide the Chadd Padd® at their fuel dock is that while they’re providing suburb protection to their customers craft and the environment, they are also sufficing their EPA requirement of having spill response on hand - more bang for the buck!
How many pairs of Wind Chocks™ should I get? The general rule is to have 1 pair of Wind Chocks™ for every active fuel port or fuel hose you intend to use at once. Remember, you only need to buy Wind Chocks™ once. |
