Flood Protection Guide 2013

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Homeowners Guide to Flood resilience A Living Document

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Contents

Foreword1. Why should I think about flood risk?2. What is the risk to houses from flooding?3. How do I find out if my home is at risk from flooding?4. Should I consider protecting my home from flooding?5. How best to protect myself, my family and my home from flooding?6. Where can I find help?7. The flood protection product information tables8. Permanent resistance 8.1.Preventwaterenteringdoors/windows 8.2.Preventwaterpenetratingwalls 8.3.Preventwaterenteringservicepipes9. Temporary resistance 9.1.Preventwaterenteringdoors/windows 9.2.Preventwaterpenetratingwalls 9.3.Preventwaterenteringservicepipes 9.4.Floodwarningdevices10. Resilience 10.1.Limitwaterdamage 10.2.Removevulnerableitemsfromfloodrisk 10.3.Expelwater11. Case studies12. Directory of flood protection product manufacturers and suppliers13. Useful links and references

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Floodingcanhaveadevastatingimpactonhomesandfamilies.Thiswasclearlyshownbytheterriblefloods,whichhitsomanypartsofEnglandandWalesin2007,Cumbriain2009andagaininsummer2012.

AccordingtoEnvironmentAgencyfigures,over5millionpeopleliveandworkinpropertiesthatareatriskofbeingflooded,withasyetanundefinednumberofpropertiesalsoatriskfromsurfacewaterflooding.

Atthetimeofwriting,asyettherehasbeennoformalagreementregardingareplacementfortheStatementofPrincipleswhichexpiresattheendofJune2013.Asaresult,floodinsurancemaybecomeunavailableorunaffordableforthe200,000homesdeemedatsignificantriskofbeingflooded.Iffloodinsurancecoverischargedaccordingtothelevelofriskahomefaces,manypeopleatriskofbeingfloodedwillseethecostoffloodcoverrisesubstantially.

Asaresultofthepotentialchangestotheavailabilityandaffordabilityoffloodinsurance,protectingyourownhomefrombeingfloodedmaywellseemafavourableoption.However,theprospectisoftenabafflingone,withmanypeoplenotknowinghowtogoaboutprotectingtheirhomesotherthanwiththehumbleandinefficientsandbag.

Thisguidewhichiswrittenespeciallywiththehomeownerinmindhopestoreducetheworryaboutwhatfloodprotectionproductstouse,andillustratesthevarietyofwaysahomecanbeprotected,howdifficulttheproductistofitandwhenitisappropriatetousethem.

Itisoftenthecasewhenthefloodwateristoohighthatitisbettertoletthefloodwaterinandadaptyourhometoreducethedevastationthefloodwatercanhave,sothereisasectiononthistoo,usingcasestudiesfrompeoplewhohavebeenfloodedbuthavenowtakenmovestomaketheirhomesresilienttoflooding.

Sadly,floodingissettogetworseanditisessentialthatwenotonlyknowourownfloodrisk,prepareinadvanceandtakemovestoprotectourownhomes.Beingfloodedisanappallingexperience.ThisguidehasbeenwrittenbytheKnowYourFloodriskcampaigninconjunctionwithRABConsultantsLtdandwehopethatitwillhelpinformyouastowhatcanbedonetomitigateagainstfloodsandhelptoreducethemiserythatbeingfloodedbringswithit.

Foreword

Mary Dhonau, OBE

ChiefExecutiveKnowYourFloodRiskCampaign

Jacki Norbury

ChairmanKnowYourFloodRiskCampaign

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Authors:

Tony Andryszewski(EnvironmentAgency)David Bartram(EnvironmentAgency)Jason Beedell(SmithsGore)Steven Bickers(DEFRA)Chris Brown(JMPConsultantsLtd)Alan Cripps(RoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors)Tim Dawe(JMPConsultantsLtd)Mary Dhonau(ChiefExecutive,KnowYourFloodRisk)Katharine Evans(EnvironmentAgency)Alan Freeman(LincolnshireCountyCouncil)Elved Gray-Jones(EnvironmentAgency)Ron Whitehead(FloodProtectionAssociation)

David Hickman(LincolnshireCountyCouncil)Ben Lukey(EnvironmentAgency)Steve Lumb(BostonBoroughCouncil)Stephen Merrett(EnvironmentAgency)Tony Mulhall(RoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors)David Oake(EnvironmentAgency)Mervyn Pettifor(FloodManagementSupportServicesLtd)Neal Ricketts(EnvironmentAgency)Ian Sinclair(EnvironmentAgency)Jeff Stacey(LondonPortAuthorityandEmergencyPlanningSociety)Andrew Teanby(SmithsGore)

Acknowledgements:

Anyerrors,omissionsand/oranomaliesareentirelyattributabletotheauthors.Thisisalivingdocument.Updatesandamendmentsareencouragedfromusers.Forfeedbackonthehandbook,pleasecontact:

Mr Gavin WilsonRAB Consultants LtdLichfieldBusinessVillage,TheFriary,LichfieldStaffordshireWS136QG

Telephone: 01543308631Email: [email protected]: www.rabconsultants.co.uk

Mary Dhonau(ChiefExecutive,KnowYourFloodRiskCampaign),Gavin Wilson(RABConsultantsLtd),Andrew McHugh(RABConsultantsLtd)andRussell Burton(RABConsultantsLtd).

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Havingsufferedfirsthandfromtheeffectsofbeingflooded,Iknowonlytoowellwhatanappallingexperienceitis.Beingavictimoffloodwaterravagingyourhomehasfar-reachingandlong-termconsequencesforeveryoneconcerned.Floodingisnotjustwhenthemediaandtheministercometovisit.Towatchhelplesslyaseverythingyouhaveworkedsohardforisthrownintoaskipishardenough,buttoloseprecioussentimentalitems-suchaschildren’sfirstdrawingsorphotosofrelativeswhoarenolongerwithus-iscompletelydevastating.

Manypeoplehavetoldmeofoccasionswhentheyhavegonetolookforsomethingonlytorememberithavingbeenlostyearsearlierinaflood;onceagain,thepaincomesteemingbacktohauntthem.Themiseryisfurthercompoundedbyhavingtomoveoutofyourhomeintoalternativeaccommodationformonths,sometimesyearsonendandtostandpowerlesslybyandwatchasyourprecioushomebecomesabuildingsite.Whenre-buildingyourhomedoesn’tgotoplan,itcanoftencausemoreupsetthantheactualflooditself.Itistheseintangibleconsequencesofbeingfloodedthatareoftenoverlookedwhenthinkingaboutprotectingyourhomefrombeingfloodedagaininthefuture.

Manyofushappilyinvestinsmokealarmsandsecuritylockstoprotectourselvesagainstfiresortheftsbutifyouliveinafloodplainyou’refarmorelikelytobefloodedthanhaveyourhouselostinafire.Afloodisthemosteffectiveandindiscriminate‘burglar’thereis,itwilltakeeverythingyouhaveincludingitemsofnovaluetoanyoneelse.Wedon’tstoptothinkaboutinvestinginfloodpreventionaswebelievethatGovernmentshouldprotectus,orourinsurancewillcoverit.Thesadtruthisthatwithsomanyofusatriskofbeingflooded,therejustisn’tenoughGovernmentmoneytoprotecteveryoneandyourinsurancecovermightnotpickupthefullbill.

Whilstprotectingahomefrombeingfloodedisnotcheap,floodinsuranceisbecomingextremelyexpensive;takingstepstoprotectyourhomefromfloodingmayenableyoutoobtaininsuranceatamoreaffordablepricethanwouldotherwisehavebeenavailable,you’llcertainlybelookedonmorefavourablythanifyoudonothing.Ifyoudonotputprotectivemeasuresinplace,youmaybeunabletoobtainfloodinsurancewhichmaywellinvalidateyourmortgage.Couplethatwiththeemotionaleffectsofbeingflooded,floodresistance(protection)andresilience(adaptingyourhomesothatthefloodwaterdoestheleastdamagepossible)suddenlyseemsahighlyfavourableoption.

Forfurtherinformationandguidance,clickonthefollowinglinks:

www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13684-flood-risk-insurance.pdf

www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13082-flood-insurance.pdf

Forinformationabouthowtopurchaseafloodreportgotowww.knowyourfloodrisk.co.uk

Flood insurance cover and resistance and resilienceTheUKinsuranceindustrycurrentlyprovidesinsuranceagainstfloodingasastandardfeatureofbuildingsandcontentsinsurance.Inmostcases,householdinsurancepremiumsdonot,currently,reflecttheactualfloodrisktoproperties.Thecostsofflooddamageareoftensharedbetweenthepremiumsofallhouseholders,whetherornottheyareatriskofflooding,althoughasunderstandingoffloodriskimproves,sowilltheabilityofinsurerstopricethisriskmoreaccurately.

Thecurrentcrosssubsidymeansthatmanyhouseholderslivinginhigh-riskpropertiesmaynotbepayingapricewhichreflectstherisk.Itisthereforedifficultforinsurerstoprovidefinancialincentives,

1. Why should I think about flood risk? - For a personal perspective from Mary Dhonau

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throughinsurancepremiumsandexcesses,topromoteresistanceandresilienceasinmanycasesthepremiumwillnotreflectthehighriskoffloodingtotheproperty.Thismaychangeastheinsurancemarketmovestowardsmorerisk-basedpricinginfuture.

Mainstreaminsurerswillgenerallyinsurepropertiesinflood-riskareas,andwillnormallycontinuetoprovidecoverforpropertiesfollowingaflood,albeitthatthismaybeatahigherprice.Mainstreaminsurersmayhoweverrefusetotakeonnewpropertieswithafloodinghistoryorinanareadeemedtobeatsignificantfloodrisk.Therearespecialistbrokersandinsurerswhospecialiseininsuringpropertiesathighfloodrisk,whocanprovidecoverinthemajorityofcases.However,thegeneralpublicmaynotbeawareoftheseoptions,particularlyiftheyrelyonpricecomparisonwebsiteswhichwilltendonlytoshowproductsfrommainstreaminsurers.Thisisaddressedbelow.

How can resistance and resilience help people access affordable insurance currently?

Resistanceandresiliencemeasurescanavoidtheneedtoclaim,orreducethevalueofanyclaimmade,whichcanhelpmaintainaccesstomainstreaminsurance.Itismorecommonforinsurerstotake

accountoffloodresiliencemeasureswhenprovidinginsurancetolargecommercialandpublicsectorcustomers.Forhomes,somespecialistinsurerswilltakeaccountofresistanceandresiliencethatareinstalledtoreducetheeffectsofflooding.Thesespecialistinsurersmayofferawayforpropertiesatveryhighrisk,withahistoryofflooding,tomaintainaccesstoinsurance.

How could this change?

Itispossiblethatinthefuture,insurerswillroutinelyensurethatthefloodrisktoaparticularpropertyisbetterreflectedinthepolicyterms,meaninghigherpremiumsforpropertiesinhigh-flood-riskareas.Ifthemarketdiddevelopinthisway,wewouldexpecttoseeanincreaseinspecialistinsuranceoptionsforpropertiesathighrisk,includinggreaterrecognitionofresistanceandresiliencemeasures.Evennow,thereareanumberofstepsthatcouldbetakentohelpinsurersbetterunderstandtheimpactofresistanceandresiliencemeasuresandtopromoteresistanceandresiliencetohouseholdersatfloodrisk.

The full report is available to view at www.defra.gov.uk.

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i. Surface water flooding.Inprolonged,exceptionallyheavydownpours,whicharebecomingmorefrequent,thegroundmaysaturateandthedrainsandsewerswhichcarryawaysurfacewatermaynotbeabletocopeormayevenbeblockedwithdebrisorhailstones,leadingtosurfacewaterflooding.Surfacewaterfloodingwillflowdownhillandcollectinlow-lyingareaswhichmeansthathousesinlowbasinsoratthefootofslopesmaybeatparticularriskofsurfacewaterflooding.

ii. Groundwater floodinggenerallyoccursduringlongandintenserainfallwheninfiltrationintothegroundraisesthelevelofthewatertableuntilitexceedsgroundlevels.Itismostcommoninlow-lyingareasoverlainbyporoussoilsandrocks,orinareaswithanaturallyhighwatertable.Groundwaterfloodingisaparticularrisktobuildingswithbasements.

iii. River flooding.Riverfloodingoccursfollowingheavyrainfall(ormeltingsnow)acrosstheupstreamreachesandtributariesofawatercoursewherethenormalriverchannelisunabletocarrytheresultinghighflowofwater.Adjacentlow-lyingpropertiesandlandarethenliabletoflood.Riverfloodingcanextendoververylargeareascausingwidespreaddamageandmaybelong-lastinganddifficulttodrainaway.Fast-flowingfloodwaterscanbedangeroustopeopleandanimalsandcanstructurallydamagebuildings.

iv. Coastal and tidal floodingiscausedbyhightidescoincidingwithalow-pressurestormsystemwhichraisesseaandtidalwaterlevels,overwhelmingcoastaldefences.Thismaybemadeworsebystrongwindsblowingseawaterontothecoast.Coastalfloodingmayaffectnotonlypropertyonthecoastitselfbutalsopropertyintidalriverbasinssomedistancefromthecoast,duetofloodwaterbeingforcedupthetidalreachesofrivers.

v. Reservoir or dam failure.TherearemanythousandsofreservoirsandretainedbodiesofraisedwateracrosstheUK,thatposeafloodriskfromfailureoftheretainingdam.Reservoirslargerthan10,000cubicmetresmustberegisteredwiththeEnvironmentAgencyandwillberegularlyinspectedtoensuretheirsafety.DamfailuresintheUKareuncommon,sowhiletheconsequencesofadamfailurearepotentiallycatastrophicandcouldaffectalargearea,thechancesofithappeningareremote.Therearemanysmaller

bodiesofraisedwater,suchasmillpondsandagriculturaltreatmentlagoonsthatmayposeafloodrisklocally.

vi. Burst water mains.Considerableamountsofwatermaybereleased,whichmayfloodthestreetandenteradjacentproperties.Thefloodingisusuallycomparativelyshallowandshort-lived,butmayneverthelesscauseextensivedamagetothegroundfloorsorbasements.

vii. Sewer flooding.Whensewageescapesfromthepipethroughamanhole,drain,orbybackingupthroughtoilets,bathsandsinksthisisknownassewerflooding.Sewerfloodingcanbecausedby:ablockageinasewerpipe;afailureofequipment;toomuchwaterenteringthesewersfromstormrun-off(fromroadsandfields)andriversandwatercourseswhichoverflowed;orthesewerbeingtoosmalltodealwiththeamountofsewageenteringit.Thecauseoftheproblemmaybesomedistanceawayfromwherethefloodingishappening.

Afloodcanhappentoanypropertyfromoneormoreofthesesourcesandatanytime.FormostpropertyintheUKtheriskissmall,howeversomepremisesaremoreatriskthanothersbecauseoftheirgeographiclocationandparticularlocalsituation.Floodingofyourhomewillalmostalwaysinvolvewaterenteringthebuildingfromoutside.Housesareusuallybuilttoprevent‘normal’watersourcesgettinginbytheuseofdampproofmembranes,roofover-hangs,guttering,belowgrounddrainsandraisedfinishedfloorlevelsinthegroundfloor.Normalhouseconstructionisnotdesignedtokeepfloodwateroutwhenlargeamountsofwaterlieagainstthebuildingforanyperiodoftime.Therearemanyroutesbywhichexternalfloodwatercanenteryourhouse.Someareveryobvioussuchasdoorways,windows,airbricksandcracksinwalls.Othersarenotsovisiblesuchaswashingmachineoutlets,downstairstoilets,soakingthroughbrickwalls,belowgroundgapsinthewallsandfloors.Thechanceofwatergettingintoyourhousewillalsodependonthingslikethedepthoffloodwaterandthetimeittakestodrainaway.

2. What is the risk to houses from flooding?There are a number of potential sources of flooding that can threaten your home:

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Thefirstcheckthatyoucando,andwhichdoesn’tcostanything,istoinvestigatewhetheryourpropertyisinariverorcoastalfloodriskareaontheEnvironmentAgency’swebsite.Followlinkstothe‘FloodMap’ontheEnvironmentAgency’swebsiteandenteryourpostcode.Thefloodmaphasadropdownboxatthetopandif‘RiskofFloodingfromRiversandSea’isselectedthenthemapwillindicatetheareasatriskoffloodingwithblueshading,darkblueforthehighestrisk,lighterblue/greenwherethereissomeriskandnoshadingwheretheriskisnegligible.Clickthemapatthelocationofyourhouseandasummaryoffloodriskatthatareawillbeprovided.Theriskisgradedas‘low’,‘moderate’or‘significant’.Theriskoffloodingfromreservoirscanalsobeshown,butthistimewithgreenshading,bychoosingthatoptioninthedropdownmenu.

Thesemapsgiveageneralguideonly,andarenotaccuratedowntoindividualproperties.Theyshowareasatrisk,andifso,whetherthereareconsideredtobeadequateflooddefencesinplace.However,theydonottakeintoaccountlocalvariationsinphysicalfeatures,northeheightofaproperty’slowestfloorabovethesurroundingground.Also,atthetimeofwriting,themapsdonotgiveanyinformationaboutthefloodriskfromsurfacewaterorgroundwater.

Localknowledgeisanimportantsourceofinformationaboutthefloodrisktoyourhome.Long-standingneighboursmayhaveusefulknowledgeaboutfloodingthatoccurredintheareabeforeyoumovedin.Yourlocalcouncilorwatercompanymayholdfloodrecords.

Foramoreaccurateassessmentoffloodriskyoucangotoaspecialistsearchproviderwho,forasmallfee,willprovideyouwithamoredetailed,‘desktop’property-specificreport.Thiswilldeterminetherisksfromthedifferenttypesofflooding,includinglocalgroundwaterandsurfacewaterfloodingriskswhicharenotcurrentlyincludedontheEnvironmentAgency’sfloodmap.Currently(2012)theVATexclusivecostofsuchasearchisaround£20foraresidentialpropertyandaround£100forcommercialpropertiesupto1hectareinsize,thoughbiggerpropertieswillcostmore.Thistypeofreportwillnotgotothelevelofdetailwhereyouwouldknowwhattoexpect

whenafloodoccurs,youmaystillhavequestionssuchas:Fromwhichdirectionwillwatercome?HowmuchwarningwillIget?Howdeepwillthewaterget?Forhowlongwillthewaterstay?HowoftenwillIflood?Willwatergetintomyhouse?CanIprotectmyhome?Aspecialistfloodriskconsultantwouldbeabletoanswerthesequestionsbutyoushouldexpectfeesinexcessof£200.Theseareverymodestcostswhencomparedwiththeoverallpriceofyourhouse,mortgagecostsandongoinginsurancefees.

3. How do I find out if my home is at risk from flooding?

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Whetherandtowhatextentfloodprotectionmeasuresarenecessarywilldependonthedegreeoffloodrisk,andthevulnerabilityofyourhouseandoccupants.AsaminimumyoushouldinvestigatethedegreeofrisktoyourpropertyusingtheEnvironmentAgency’sfloodmap(seequestion3,HowdoIfindoutifmyhomeisatriskfromflooding?).Ifyourpropertylieswithinablueshadedareathefloodmapwillshowthelikelihoodoffloodingas‘lowrisk’,‘moderaterisk’or‘significantrisk’.

Ifyourpropertydoesnotlieinablueshadedarea,itisveryimportanttonotethatthisdoesnotmeanthereisnofloodrisk.TheremaystillberiskoffloodingfromsurfaceorgroundwateroraraisedbodyofwaternotshownontheEnvironmentAgency’sfloodmap.

Ifthereisalowrisk,usuallymeaningthatthechanceoffloodingis1in200inanyyear(InsuranceBand1typepropertiesasabroadguide),buttheriskisnotseriousenoughtosignificantlyaffectthebuildingsinsurance,youshouldmakesomeplansabouthowyouwoulddealwithafloodifonewastooccur,bearinginmindthatfloodsarehappeningtomanypropertieswhichhaveneverpreviouslyflooded.Asaminimum,youneedaFloodPlan(discussedaspartofthenextquestion).Youmayalsoconsiderintroducingsomefloodprotectionmeasureswhenconvenient,forexamplewhenyouarecarryingoutrefurbishmentandreplacementwork.

Iftheriskismoderate,withachanceoffloodingbetween1in75and1in200inanyyear(InsuranceBand2propertiesandsomeothersatlocalrisk),forexampleifthepropertyhaspreviouslybeenflooded,youshouldhaveaFloodPlan(discussedaspartofSection5)andyoumayalsoconsiderwhethersomefloodprotectionmeasurestothepropertywouldbeappropriate.Thesemeasurescanbeimplementedwhenimprovementsandalterationsareundertaken,perhapsasaconsequenceofnewownership,ormaybeundertakensolelytoensurepeaceofmindandmaintainmarketvalue.

Iftheriskissignificant,withachanceoffloodinggreaterthan1in75inanyyear(InsuranceBand3properties,andthosewhichhavebeenfloodedmorethanoncewithinthelasttenyearsorso),youwillneedaFloodPlan

(discussedaspartofSection5)andyoushouldactivelyconsiderfloodprotectionmeasures,inordertomaintaininsurancecoverandtominimisethenegativeimpactonmarketvalue.

Havingdecidedwhetheryoushouldapplyfloodprotection,thenextquestionis,ofthemanyoptionsavailable,whichisthebestchoiceforme?

4. Should I consider protecting my home from flooding?

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Tokeepyourselfandyourfamilysafeandtochoosethebestoptionforprotectingyourhome,youaregoingtoneedsomefactsaboutthefloodriskandfactsaboutthevulnerabilityofyourhouse.Themorereliablethefactsthenthemorecertainyoucanbethatyouhavechosenthebestoption.Factorsthatinfluencethebestchoiceoffloodprotectionisdiscussedbelow.Howeveryoushouldbeawarethatmanyoftheimportantfactscanbedifficulttoestablishandrequiretechnicalknowledgeandexperiencetomakereliableestimates.Youshouldobtainspecialistadvicefromsurveyorswithfloodriskexperienceorspecialisedfloodriskconsultants.

Theareaatriskoffloodingshouldbeidentifiedandthemechanismoffloodingdetermined,suchasthesourceofflooding(e.g.rivers,seas,reservoirs,groundwater,surfacewater,sewersandmainssupply)andthepathwaysthatwaterwilltaketoreachthesite.

Facts about the flood risk

Therearefourfactsaboutthefloodwaterthatareofparticularimportance:

Flood depthsexpectedatyourhouse.Lowdepths,forexample100mm,areunlikelytoputpeopleatriskbutwaterdamagetobuildingsandcontentsmaybesignificantwithoutanyfloodprotection.Highwaterdepths,forexample1m,mayseverelythreatenthesafetyofpeopleandmaycauseextensivedamagetobuildings.Itmaybedangeroustokeepdeepfloodsoutofabuildingbecauseofthelargeweightofwaterpressingagainstthewalls.

Flood durationisthetimethatfloodwaterisexpectedtostayatyourhouse.Temporaryflooddefencesmaysuccessfullykeepwateroutiffloodingisexpectedtolastforjustacoupleofhours,whereas,longflooddurationsmaygivetimeforwatertopenetrateintothebuilding.Itmaybesafetotakerefugeandstayinabuildingforshortdurationfloodsbutthiswilldependontheotherfactors.

Flood onsetisthetimeforfloodwatertoreachyourhousefromitssource.Shortonsetflooding(flashfloods)areparticularlydangerousasthereislittletimeavailabletogetpeopletosafetyortoprotectbuildings.

Flood annual probabilityisameasureofthechanceoffloodingtoyourhouseoverthecourseof1year.Differentapproachestofloodprotectionmaybeneededdependinguponhowlikelyfloodingisexpected.

5. How best to protect myself, my family and my home from flooding?

1000mmpossible300mmtypicalFlood depth

Flood durationhoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours

Flood annual probability

BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%

{ Dark blue indicatesstrongapplicabilityofproductsindealingwithflooding,withlight blueindicatingreducingapplicability.}

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Theaforementionedfourkeyfactorsareusedtodecidewhatyouandyourfamilyshoulddowhenfloodingstrikes,forexample‘evacuation’or‘go-in,stay-inandtune-in’.Thefactorsarealsoimportantforguidingthebestwaytofloodprotectyourhome.Aswellaslistingcurrentlyavailablefloodprotectionproducts,thishandbookincludesasimplegraphicalindicationoftheapplicabilityoftheproductstoflooddepth,floodduration,floodonsetandfloodprobability.

Thereareotherimportantfactorsthathaveanimpactonfloodriskatyourhome,notablytheexpectedvelocityoffloodwater.Rapidlyflowingwateratevenlowdepthswillincreasetherisktobothpeopleandbuildings.

Theeffectofflooddefencesshouldalsobetakenintoaccountwhenestimatingtheabovefactors.

SourcesofinformationfortheimportantfactorsincludetheEnvironmentAgency,localauthorityandlocallibraryarchives.Localknowledge,particularlyfromlong-standingresidents,isinvaluable.Calculationsofthingslikerainfall,riverflows,pipecapacitiesandmeasurementsofgroundlevelsmaybeneededtomakereliableestimates,forwhichyoushouldobtainspecialisthelp.

Facts about your home – a property-level surveyApropertylevelsurveyshouldestablishfactssuchasthelevelofthresholdsandfloors,thelikelypointsofwaterentry,whetherattemptsshouldbemadetokeepwateroutofyourhouseorjusttoallowthewaterinandenhancethebuildinginsuchawayastolimitthedamageandpromoterapidcleanup.Theproperty-levelsurveyofyourhouseshouldbeperformedbyanexperiencedprofessional.

TheEnvironmentAgencyhasjustpublishedanewstandardtemplateforsurveyingproperty-levelfloodrisk.ItistheculminationofaprojectledbyDefraandtheEnvironmentAgencyandinpartnershipwithAssociationofBritishInsurers,BritishInstitutionofInsuranceBrokersandtheNationalFloodForum.Thedocumentscanbefoundat:www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/129526.aspx.ThelinkwilltakeyoutoanEnvironmentAgencywebpagewhichincludesashortexplanationandlinktothereport.Thiswillgivesurveyorsarecognised

frameworkforassessingfloodriskandwillhelppeoplesetoutthefloodriskinformationthatinsurersmayaskthemtoprovide.Thisoffersawayofencouraginginsurerstoacceptgoodpropertylevelprotectionschemesasawayofmitigatinginsurance,andthereforemakinginsurancemoreavailableandaffordable.However,itwillneedtobepromotedtopeople,localauthoritiesandagencies,aswellastheinsuranceindustry.

Choosing the right flood protection productsFloodprotectiondesignedtokeepwateroutofyourhouseisreferredtoasflood resistanceproducts. Temporary flood resistance productsarethosethatneeddeploying(fittingoractivating)priortofloodingarrivingwhereaspermanent flood resistanceproductsdonotneedactivating.Flood resiliencereferstomeasuresthatreduceflooddamagetobuildingsinsituationswherewaterisallowedtoenter.

Theimportantfactsaboutthefloodriskandthefactsaboutyourhome,whentakentogether,willguidethebestchoiceofpermanentresistance,temporaryresistanceorresilienceandtheproductlistsinthishandbookwillhelpwiththis.Otherfactorswillplayapartinthedecisionmakingprocess,suchascost,visualimpact,easeofdeploymentandproductperformance.

Thebestanswerforyourhousewillmostlikelyinvolveacombinationofproducts.Otherrisks,suchasthecontinuedoperationoffireexitdoors,willneedtobeconsideredandcompetingprioritiesbalancedaswellasensuringthatanyprotectionmethodsdonotunnecessarilyaddtofloodingelsewhere.Insomesituations,suchaswheresurfacewateristhemainsourceofflooding,thebestanswermaynotinvolvetheproductsdiscussedinthishandbook,suchasimprovingdrainagesystemsorre-landscapinggardens.

Thechosenfloodprotectionproductswillonlybeeffectiveiftheyareusedintherightway,attherighttimeandarestoredandmaintainedcorrectlytoensuretheirlongtermeffectiveness.Youneedtobeclearaboutthebestwaytoactinafloodemergencytoprotectlivesandbuildings.Afloodplanisessentialforachievingtheseaims.

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Make a Household Flood Plan!Beingpreparedforanemergencywillreducetherisktoyouandyourfamilyandlimitthedamagetoyourhouseanditscontents.

AHouseholdFloodPlanwillneedtoestablishthebestemergencyactionsandwhodoeswhatwhenfloodinglookssettostrike.

Theimportantfactsaboutfloodriskandtheavailabilityoffloodwarningswillguideyourbestactioninanemergency.Evacuationismostappropriatewherefloodingisdeepandfloodwarningswillgiveyoutimetomovetoaplaceofsafetyunaided.Identifyingaplaceofsaferefugewithpossiblerescuebytheemergencyservicesmaybethebestapproachwhererapidfloodingoccursandsafeevacuationisnotpossible.

TheHouseholdFloodPlanshouldclearlylistactionsneededonreceiptofafloodwarning,suchashowtosetupanytemporaryfloodprotectiondevicesaswellasgivingamaintenancescheduletoensurecorrectoperationofdevicesinthefuture.Theplanshouldtakeaccountofthepossibilityoffloodprotectiondevicesfailingortheirdesignbeingexceeded.

FloodwarningsarevitaltotriggertheactionswithintheHouseholdFloodPlan.TheEnvironmentAgencyissuesfloodwarningsforspecificareas.Therearethreefloodwarningcodes:

YoushouldcontacttheEnvironmentAgencyandaskwhetheryourhouseiscoveredbytheFloodlineWarningsDirectserviceandsignupifyoucan.FloodlineWarningsDirectisafreeservicewhichsendsyouadirectmessagewhenfloodingisexpectedandmayaffectyourproperty.Floodwarningswillgiveyoutimetoprepareforfloodingwhichcouldsaveyoutime,moneyandheartache.Youcanreceivewarningsbytelephone,mobile,email,SMStextmessageorfax,whicheveryouprefer.

Thereareotherwarningsystemsthatcanbeusedwhereanareaisn’tcoveredbyaformalfloodwarningservice,forexampletheMetOfficeprovidestheNationalSevereWeatherWarningService(NSWWS)toalertthepublicinadvanceofsevereweatherconditions.TheNSWWSprovidesawarningserviceforfivedifferentweatherelements:Rain,wind,snow,iceandfog.

TheNSWWSissueswarningsandalerts:

• Alertsareissuedwhensevereweatherisexpectedmorethan24hoursahead;

• Warningsareissuedwhensevereweatherisexpectedinthenext24hours.

AllwarningsandalertsappearontheMETOfficewebsitewww.metoffice.gov.uk

Localauthoritiesmayalsoissuewarningstoresidents.Privatefloodlevelalarmsarealsoavailableforpurchase(refertosection9.4).

ItisvitalthatyourHouseholdFloodPlaniskeptuptodate,suchaswhencircumstanceschange,andtomakesurethateveryoneknowswhattodowhatfloodingoccurs.

YourlocalcouncilisanimportantresourcewhencreatingaHouseholdFloodPlanforthingssuchasfindingaplacetoevacuateandwhetheryouarebesttoevacuateorstayinyourhouse.Theymayhaveanemergencyplanningofficertoofferassistance.

TheEnvironmentAgencyprovidesaguideforpreparingaFloodPlanandoffersatemplatetofollowonthewebsite.Youcanaccessthisbyvisitingwww.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38329.aspx.

AFloodAlertmeansthat

floodingispossibleandthatyouneed

tobeprepared.

ASevereFloodWarningmeansthatthereisseverefloodingand

dangertolife.Theseareissuedwhenfloodingisposingsignificantrisktolifeordisruptionto

communities.

AFloodWarningmeansthatfloodingisexpectedandthatyoushouldtakeimmediate

action.Youshouldtakeactionwhenafloodwarningisissuedandnotwaitfora

SevereFloodWarning.

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Thereisalistofusefullinksattheendofthisdocumentwhereyoucangetfurtherhelpandadvice.

InEnglandandWalestheEnvironmentAgencyisresponsibleforbuilding,maintainingandoperatingflooddefencesandforissuingfloodwarningstothepublic,withaparticularemphasisonrivers,seasandreservoirs.TheEnvironmentAgencyhasanextensivewebsitecoveringfloodrisksandwhattodotoprepareforaflood,duringafloodandafteraflood.

Followingthefloodsof2007andthesubsequentPittreport,theFloodandWaterManagementAct2010,LeadLocalFloodAuthorities(LLFA)weresetupwithinlocalauthoritystructurestomanagelocalfloodrisk.YourLLFAwillworkwithemergencyrespondersduringfloodingeventsandduringsevere

eventstheywillprovideadvicetothelocalpublicabouttheincidentandwhatactiontotake.Thismayincludeorganisingrestcentresforevacuatedpeople.

BoththeEnvironmentAgencyandLLFAwillbeabletoassistyouwithunderstandingyourfloodriskanddecidinghowbesttoprotectyourself.Ifyouareatparticularfloodriskandhavepreviouslyflooded,yourlocalcouncilmaybeabletooffersomefinancialassistanceforfloodprotectionmeasuresthroughProperty-LevelFloodProtectionfundingorfromotherlocalauthorityfunds.

6. Where can I find help?

Thefollowingpagesofthishandbookprovidealistoffloodprotectionproductsgroupedintocategoriestohelpyouunderstandthewaytheyworkandtoassistwithchoosingthebestproduct.Eachcategoryisdescribedwithsimplegraphicsshowingthekindoffloodsituationtowhichthatgroupofproductsismostapplicable.Adviceonfloodplansisgivenwithintheproductcategories,suchastheimportanceofwarningsystemstodeployproductsingoodtimeortrainingneededtocorrectlyerectflooddefences.

Alistofproductscurrentlyavailableforeachcategoryisprovidedwithindicativecosts(forapplicationtoasingledwelling),advantages/disadvantagesandsuppliernames.Thetablesarearrangedsoeasycomparisonscanbemadebetweencategoriesofproducttohelpwithselection.

FloodprotectionproductsthathavebeenperformancetestedandhavepassedtheBSistandard,makingthemeligibleforakitemark,areindicatedbytheuseofaBSisuperscript.

Theinformationcontainedinthehandbookwasobtainedfromaliteraturereview,byconsultationwithindustryexpertsandawiderangeofmanufacturersandsuppliersofproducts.Awebsearchwasundertaken(January2011)toprovideaswidearangeofproducts,manufacturersandsuppliersaspossible.InNovember2012,RABConsultantsemailedallsuppliers/manufacturerslistedintheappendixoftheguideandrequesteddetailsofanynewordiscontinuedproducts.ThisguidecontainstheinformationreceivedfromthisconsultationandprovidesthecorrectanduptodatecontactinformationforthecompanieslistedinSection12.Noendorsementisgivenofanyproductsorserviceslisted.Theinformationisdesignedtoactasadirectoryforyourassistance.Thisisalivingdocument.Updatesandamendmentsareencouragedfromusers,manufacturersandsuppliers.Pleaserefertotheforewordfordetails.

7. The flood protection product information tables

13

Resistancemeasuresareaimedatkeepingfloodwateroutofabuilding.Theyaredesignedtolessenthedamagethatfloodwatercanhaveandalsogivehomeownersextratimetomovegroundfloorcontents.Themeasuresmayonlybeeffectiveforalimitedtimeandlimitedwaterdepth.Permanentresistancemeansthatfloodprotectionispermanentlyinplacewithnoactionneededtodeploythedevice-permanentresistanceisa‘fitandforget’approach.

8. Permanent resistance

8.1 Prevent water entering doors/windows

8.2 Prevent water penetrating walls

8.3 Prevent water entering service pipes

14

8.1 Permanent Resistance – Prevent water entering doors/windows

Description Thesearepermanentresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughdoorsandwindows.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Noparticularactionisrequiredbyyoutomaketheproductworkandsotheywillprotectevenwhileyouareawayfromyourhouseandiffloodingarrivesquicklywithnowarning.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.

Flood plan considerationsTheseproductsdonotrequireactivatingtomakethemworkandsoprotectiontoyourhousedoesnotdependuponreceivingandactingonafloodwarning.Notrainingisneededtooperatetheproductsandnolongtermstorageofitemsisrequired.Routineinspectionandmaintenanceoftheproductsishoweveressential.

Creatingafloodplanisimportantforprotectingpeopleandyourpropertyinanemergency.Aswellasstatingwhodoeswhatwhenfloodingisexpected,thefloodplanshouldsaywhattodoina‘worstcasescenario’suchaswaterseepagethroughfloodprotectiondevices,floodingthatexceedsthedesignofthefloodprotectionproductsandpeoplebeingtrappedinthehousewithrisingwater.


Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours


BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%

Required input of people Low Mid High

Dark blue indicatesstrongapplicabilityofproductsindealingwithflooding,withlight blueindicatingreducingapplicability.

Product type Indicative cost for a single house

Advantages Disadvantages Available products/suppliers Images

Raised porch/threshold £1.5k(threshold)£5-£10k(porch)

Unobtrusive.Multifunctional.

Lowflooddepth.Disabledaccess.Mayneedwater-proofdoor.Noqualitystandardforfloodprotection.

Auto-barriers Unobtrusive.

£5kto£15k Unobtrusive.Highflooddepth.BSiPAS1188-1.

Highinitialcost.Belowgroundwork.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

FloodBreak.FloodControlInternationalLtd.SCFB™(selfclosingfloodbarrier).

Water-resisting external doors/windows

£0.75kto£5k Unobtrusive.BSiPAS1188-1.

Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.Difficulttoevacuateifpeoplearetrappedinsidewithrisingwater.Adoormaykeepwateroutatdepthsthataredangeroustothestructureofthebuilding.

AquobexFloodDoorBSi.FlashFloodDoorsLtdBSi.FloodAngel®–floodproofdoorBSi.Revetment–floodcontroldoorsBSi.WhitehouseBSi.

Otherproductsandsuppliersinclude:DefenceDoorsLtd.FloodguardUK(FloodProofdoors).

Sealant around external doors/windows

Verylowcost Unobtrusive.Inexpensive.

Needscarefulapplication.Reliesonwaterproofdoors/windows.Noqualitystandard.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

FloodAngel®Silicone.Siliconesealantsarewidelyavailable.

Ref:SevernTrent

FloodAngel®Silicone

FlashFloodDoors

16

8.2 Permanent Resistance – Prevent water penetrating walls

Description Thesearepermanentresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughwalls.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Noparticularactionisrequiredbyyoutomaketheproductworkandsotheywillprotectevenwhileyouareawayfromyourhouseandiffloodingarrivesquicklywithnowarning.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.


Creatingafloodplanisimportantforprotectingpeopleandyourpropertyinanemergency.Aswellasstatingwhodoeswhatwhenfloodingisexpected,thefloodplanshouldsaywhattodoina‘worstcasescenario’suchaswaterseepagethroughfloodprotectiondevices,floodingthatexceedsthedesignofthefloodprotectionproducts,peoplebeingtrappedinthehousewithrisingwater.


Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset


BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%



Days Minutes

Hours

17



Re-pointingRepair cracks in wallsSeal service outlets

Lowcost Unobtrusive.Inexpensive.

Needscarefulapplication.Needswater-resistantformula.Mayjustreducepenetrationrate.Noqualitystandard.

Correctlyappliedsiliconesealant.UKFloodBarriers.StormdryRe-pointing.Additive2(SafeguardEurope).WatertightInternational.

Covering weep holes Lowcost Unobtrusive.BSiPAS1188-1mayberelevant.BSiPAS1188-3mayberelevantifabuildingskirtsystemisused.

Needsgoodworkmanship.Nokitemarkedproductscurrentlyavailable.Maycausedampproblemsifpermanentlycovered.

FloodAngel®Anti-floodWeephole.

Facing bricks £1000 Moreeffectivethansealingexistingwall.

Needsgoodworkmanship.Belowgroundwork.Mayneedplanningapproval.Mayjustreducepenetrationrate.Visuallyaltersbuilding.Noqualitystandard.

Engineeringbricks.

Render £2000 Should seal all

£2000 Shouldsealallcracksevenwhenwallsareinrelativelypoorcondition.

Needsgoodworkmanship.Belowgroundwork.Mayneedplanningapproval.Mayjustreducepenetrationrate.Mayneedfacingbricksaswell.Visuallyaltersbuilding.Noqualitystandard.Mayleadtodampwithinthewalls.

Kiltox.Vandex–SafeguardEurope.

Anuncoveredweephole)

Ref:SevernTrent

Ref:SevernTrent

18



Wall sealant £500(materials) Unobtrusive.Inexpensive.Easilyapplied.

Needscarefulapplication.Mayjustreducepenetrationrate.Noqualitystandard.Mayleadtodampwithinthewalls.Brickworkneedstobeingoodconditiontobeeffective.

Aquobex.DrybaseliquidappliedDPM(SafeguardEurope).FloodAngel®Waterstop.Floodguards.ICOPAL.NanoshellStormdryMasonryProtectionCream.Stormdry(SafeguardEurope).Revetment.WatertightInternational.

Permanent wallbarrier

£3k-£30k Canuseglasstominimisevisualimpactandallowlightthrough.Woodeffecttomimicafence.BSiPAS1188-3.

Expensive.Needscarefuldesignandconstruction.Lossoffloodplain.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

Bespokeoptionsareavailablefromvariousspecialistcontractors.

Tanking £10k-£20k Designedtocompletelywaterproof.Offersgroundwaterprotection.Significantguaranteesandexperience.

Expensive.Needssumpandpump.Vulnerabletodamageduetolateralterations.Primarilydesignedtoprotectagainstgroundwater.

Aquobex.FloodAngel®TankingPolymer.ICOPAL.Kiltoxtankingrender.Revetment.TritonChemicalManufacturingCoLtd.Vandex–SafeguardEurope.

Ref:Stormdry–SafeguardEurope

Ref:NationalFloodForumnewsletterMay2009

Ref:Revetment

19



Water-resisting airbricks £0.5k-£1k Inexpensive.Unobtrusive.BSiPAS1188-1

Needscarefulinstallationandmaintenance.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

FloodAngel®Anti-floodAirbrickBSi.

Otherproductsandsuppliersinclude:

FloodControlInternational.SMARTAirBrick.Snorkelvent.UKFloodBarriers.

Seal gap between DPC and DPM

Expected£1k-£5k Unobtrusive. Needscarefulinstallation.Noqualitystandard.

SafeguardEurope.TritonChemicals.

Ref:Snorkelvent

20

8.3 Permanent Resistance – Prevent water entering service pipes

Description Thesearepermanentresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughservicepipes.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Noparticularactionisrequiredbyyoutomaketheproductworkandsotheywillprotectevenwhileyouareawayfromyourhouseandiffloodingarrivesquicklywithnowarning.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.




Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours


10% 1% 0.1%



BAR BARBAR

21



Non-return valves for wastewater pipes and washing machine outlets.

£50to£500 Unobtrusive.Inexpensive.Easyfit.BSEN13564.

Mayneedtoassesstheimpactonneighbours.Noqualitystandard.

WatertightInternationalBSi.


Aquobex-Flusher.CombinedHarvesters.FloodAngel®160mm/110mmNon-ReturnValve.FloodAngel®50mmBackwaterValve.FloodGuardsSystemsLtd.FloodSenseLtd.Marley.MissionRubber.Revetment-Flusher.UKFloodBarriers–fullportbackflowvalve.Whitehouse.

Seal around service entry points.

Unobtrusive.Inexpensive.

FloodAngel®ServiceEntryPanel.SiliconeSealant.

WatertightInternationalnon-returnvalve

22

Resistancemeasuresareaimedatkeepingfloodwateroutofabuilding.Theyaredesignedtolessenthedamagethatfloodwatercanhaveandalsogivehomeownersextratimetomovegroundfloorcontents.Themeasuresmayonlybeeffectiveforalimitedtimeandlimitedwaterdepth.Temporaryresistancemeansthatproductswillneedtobeinstalledbeforefloodwaterarrivesinordertobeprotected.

9. Temporary resistance

9.1 Prevent water entering doors/windows

9.2 Prevent water penetrating walls

9.3 Prevent water entering service pipes

9.4 Flood warning devices

23

9.1 Temporary Resistance – Prevent water entering doors/windows

Description Thesearetemporaryresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughdoorsandwindows.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveybyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Theproductswillneedtobeinstalledingoodtimebeforefloodwaterarrivesandthenremovedoncethefloodriskhaspassed.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.

Flood plan considerationsTheseproductsrequireactivatingtomakethemworkandsoprotectiontoyourhousedependsuponreceivingandactingonafloodwarning.Sometrainingwillbeneededtocorrectlyoperatetheproductsandlongtermstorageofitemsmayberequired.Routineinspectionandmaintenanceoftheproductsishoweveressential.


2-4mforsomebarriers300mmtypicalFlood depth

Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset


Required input of people

10% 1% 0.1%

Low Mid High


BAR BARBAR

Days Minutes

Hours

24



Entrance door/patio door/garage door/window barriers

£0.5kto£3k Rapiddeployment.Relativelylowcost.Lowweightandeasydeployproductsavailable.Kitemarkedproductsavailable(BSiPAS1188-1).Alargechoiceofproducts.

Storageofitems.Somebarriersneedtoolsfordeployment.Permanentfixingsonthebuildingwithmostproducts.Deploymentmaybedifficultforpeoplewithspecialphysicalneeds.NoKitemarkforDIYfittedproducts.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

AquobexBSi.FloodgateBSi.FloodguardsBSi.FloodtiteBSi.FloodAngel®FloodDefenderTMSingle&DoubleBSi.FloodAngel®SentinelBarrier.FloodArkBSi.FloodWallBSi.Revetment–floodguardsBSi.WatertightInternational–FloodBarriersBSi.


Caro–WaterDoor.CombinedHarvesters.FloodAngel®.Floodaway–Multi-FloodSolutions.FloodControlInternational.FloodPlan.FluvialInnovations–FloodStop.FloodShield.Newlands-FloodBuddy.TotalFloodSolutions.

Sandbags/adsorbent bags Relativelylowcost Absorbentbags:Lightweight.Readytouse.Quicktodeploy.Holdstensoflitresofwater.

Sufficientbagsmustbestoredreadyforuse.Usedbagsneedtobedisposed.Kitemarkdoesnotseemtobeapplicable.

Absorbeez.Aqua-sac®.FloodSax.Sorbarix.

FloodguardscourtesyofRevetment

Ref:FloodArk

Floodsax

25



Pet flap covers

Relativelylowcost Rapiddeployment.Relativelylowcost.Lowweightandeasydeployment.

Storageofitems.Somebarriersneedtoolsfordeployment.Permanentfixingsonthebuildingwithmostproducts.Deploymentmaybedifficultforpeoplewithspecialphysicalneeds.NoKitemark.

FloodAngel®FloodDefenderTMSingle&DoubleBSi.Aquobex.Revetment.

De-mountable barriers £10kto£40k Propertyfullyprotected.Structureofbuildingisnotthelimitingfactor.ApplicablekitemarkBSiPAS1188-4.Someproductscanbestoredinsitu.

Needsufficientwarning.Someknowledgeandacertaindegreeofphysicalabilityisrequired.Mostproductsneedseparatestorage.Significantlossoffloodplain.Highinitialcosts.Groundworksrequired.Mayneedpumpstodealwithseepage.Securitymaybeneededtopreventbarriertheft.

Caro–WaterWallBSi.FloodAngel®FloodDefenderTMSingle&DoubleBSi.FloodAngel®SentinelBarrier.


AET-AlteauFloodBarrier.Aquobex.DutchDam.Multi-FloodSolutionsMultipleSpanDemountableBarriers(FloodControlInternational).RevetmentIn-situbarrier.McArthurGroupTiltDamandSpringDam.

UKFloodBarriers

Caro-Waterfall

26



Free-standing barriers £10kto£40k Propertyfullyprotected.Structureofbuildingisnotthelimitingfactor.ApplicablekitemarkBSiPAS1188-2.

Needsufficientwarning.Someknowledgeandacertaindegreeofphysicalabilityisrequired.Mostproductsneedseparatestorage.Significantlossoffloodplain.Highinitialcosts.Mayneedsignificantmanpowertodeploy.Designedmoreforcommunitiesratherthanindividuals(smallGeodesignbarriercanbeinstalledby1individual).Thesebarrierscanbeinstalledinwater.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

GeodesignBSi.RapidamBSi.

Otherproductsandsuppliersinclude:Aquadam.AquaFence.AquaTube.Aquobex-EcoDamFluvialInnovations–Tubewall.FloodStop.WaterGate.

FloodSkirts £10kto£35k Propertyfullyprotected.Structureofbuildingisnotthelimitingfactor.ApplicablekitemarkBSiPAS1188-3.

Needsufficientwarning.Someknowledgeandacertaindegreeofphysicalabilityisrequired.Mostproductsneedseparatestorage.Highinitialcosts.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

TotalFloodSolutions.

Perimeter flood wall with gates

£5kto£15k Propertyfullyprotected.Structureofbuildingisnotthelimitingfactor.KitemarkBSiPAS1188-4maybeapplicable.

Needsufficientwarning.Significantlossoffloodplain.Needscontinuityofbarrier.Highinitialcosts.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

Aquobex.Floodguards.FloodControlInternational.Revetment.

FloodControlInternational

Ref:DEFRAR&Dtechnicalreport,PamBowker,2007

Ref:Aquafence

27

9.2 Temporary Resistance – Prevent water penetrating walls

Description Thesearetemporaryresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughwalls.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Theproductswillneedtobeinstalledingoodtimebeforefloodwaterarrivesandthenremovedoncethefloodriskhaspassed.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.




Flood duration

Flood onset


BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%



hoursdaysweeks

Days Minutes

Hours

28



Airbrick covers £50to£300 Inexpensive.ApplicablekitemarkBSiPAS1188-1.

Needsufficientwarning.Requiresstorageandtobeeasilylocatedafterafloodwarning.Mayneedmeasurestodealwithseepage.

FloodArkBSi.FloodAngel®Anti-floodAirbrickCoverBSi.FloodguardsBSi.RevetmentBSi.

Otherproductsandsuppliersinclude:AquobexEasifitVentguard.FloodControlInternational.Floodgate.FloodPlan.FloodSentry.VentBuddy.WatertightInternational.

FloodArk

29

9.3 Temporary Resistance – Prevent water entering service pipes

Description Thesearetemporaryresistanceproductsdesignedtostopwaterenteringyourhousethroughservicepipes.Theseproductswillonlykeepwateroutiftheyarecorrectlyusedaspartofapackageofmeasuresidentifiedfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Theproductswillneedtobeinstalledingoodtimebeforefloodwaterarrivesandthenremovedoncethefloodriskhaspassed.Theproductsaredesignedtokeepwateroutforlongperiods,howeverseepageispossibledependinguponworkmanshipandfloodconditions,infacttheexistingBSikitemarkstandardallowsforsomeseepage.Thereisarisktothestructureofyourhouseifdeepwaterisheldbackbytheexternalwallsduetothepressureofwater.Forthisreasontheproductsareonlysuitableforlimitedflooddepths.Astructuralassessmentofthebuildingisrecommendedwhereflooddepthsinexcessof300mmareintendedtoberesisted.




BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%




Flood duration

Flood onset

hoursdaysweeks

Days Minutes

Hours

30



Toilet plugs £50 Inexpensive.Nopermanentinstallationrequired.

Needsufficientwarning.Requiresstorageandtobeeasilylocatedafterafloodwarning.Needstobecorrectlydeployed.Nokitemark.

FloodAngel®ToiletBung.Floodtitepanseal.UKFloodBarriers.FloodControlInternationalLtd.

Bolt-down inspection covers

Inexpensive. Inexpensive. Needsufficientwarning.Needstobecorrectlydeployed.Nokitemark.

TotalFloodSolutions.

Appliance vent covers Inexpensive. Inexpensive. Needsufficientwarning.Needstobecorrectlydeployed.Nokitemark.

FloodAngel®FloodDefenderTMSingle&DoubleBSi.

Floodguards.MultiFloodSolutions.

Mostmanufacturersofbespokedoorbarriers.

Pipe bungs Inexpensive. Inexpensive. Needsufficientwarning.Needstobecorrectlydeployed.Nokitemark.

Flowstop.

Floodguards

Ref:Flowstop

FloodAngel®inflatableU-bendtoiletbung

31

Floodwarningsarevitalinordertoknowwhentocarryoutthefloodplanandinstalltemporaryresistanceproducts.

TheEnvironmentAgencyprovidesafreefloodwarningserviceforcommunitiesatriskofflooding.TofindoutifaserviceisavailableforyouandtosubscribecontactFloodlineon08459881188.Thisservicesendsyouadirectmessagewhenfloodingisexpectedandmayaffectyourproperty.Floodwarningswillgiveyoutimetoprepareforfloodingwhichcouldsaveyoutime,moneyandheartache.Youcanreceivewarningsbytelephone,mobile,email,SMStextmessageorfax,whicheveryouprefer.YoucanalsoviewfloodwarningsthroughtheEnvironmentAgencywebsiteandthroughtheirtwitteraccountsandFacebookpagesbyvisiting:

Website:www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Twitter:follow@EnvAgencyORifyouinWalesfollow@EnvAgencyWales

Facebook:www.facebook.com/environmentagencyORifyouliveinWaleswww.facebook.com/envagencywales

Thereareotherwarningservicesthatareavailablewhereanareaisn’tcoveredbyaformalfloodwarningservice,forexampletheMetOfficeprovidesaNationalSevereWeatherWarningService(NSWWS)towarnthepublicofsevereweather.TheNSWWSwarnsforfivedifferentweatherelements:Rain,Wind,Snow,FogandIce.

TheNSWWSissueswarningsandalerts:

• Alertsareissuedwhensevereweatherisexpectedmorethan24hoursahead;

• Warningsareissuedwhensevereweatherisexpectedinthenext24hours.

Theonlydifferencebetweenwarningsandalertsistheleadtimeinwhichtheyareissued.AllwarningsandalertsappearontheMetOfficewebsitewww.metoffice.gov.ukandarealsocommunicatedtothepublicviaelectronicandbroadcastmedia.

Localauthoritiesmayalsoissuewarningstoresidents.Privatefloodlevelalarmsarealsoavailableforpurchase.Thesewillnormallyincludeawatersensorandanalarmunit.Thesensorwilldetectfloodwaterandsendasignaltothealarmunitthatwillmakeasoundanalerttowarnyouoftheapproachingfloodrisk.Thesensorwillneedtobecarefullyinstalledatalocationwhererisingfloodwaterwillbedetectedwellbeforeyourhouseisabouttofloodtoalertyouoftherisk(suchasduringthenight)andtogiveyoutimetotakeaction.Itisrecommendedthatyouobtainexperthelpchoosetherightsystemandcorrectlyinstallit.Permissionfromlandownersandlocalauthoritiesmaybeneededpriortoinstallingthesensor.

9.4 Temporary Resistance – Flood warning devices

32

10. Resilience

Resiliencemeasuresareaimedatallowingabuildingtofloodbutconstructingtheinteriorfrommaterialsthatarenotdamagedbywater.Followingflooding,aclean-upwillbeneededbutnotmajordryingandrefurbishment.Correctlyappliedresilienceshouldensurethatnopermanentdamageiscaused,thestructureofthebuildingisprotectedanddryingandcleaningarequickened.



Flood alarm £0–£500 Idealwherethereisnoformalfloodwarningservice.24/7monitoring.

Needscarefulinstallation.Needsregulartesting/maintenance.Mayneedtoobtainpermissionfromlandowners/localauthorities.

CampbellScientific.CombinedHarvesters.DynamicLogic.EnvironmentalInnovationsLtd.Floodguards.FloodSafeFloodAlarms.FloodAngel®FloodAlarm.FloodSense.Hydrologic.Isodaq.Revetment–floodalarmsystem.TotalFloodSolutions.UKFloodBarriers.

Hydrologicsensorinstalledonabridgeoverariver.

10.1 Limit water damage

10.2 Remove vulnerable items from flood risk

10.3 Expel water

33

10.1 Resilience – Limit water damage

Description Theseresiliencemeasuresaredesignedtoreducetheamountofdamagecausedwhenwaterentersabuilding.Ideallyapackageofproductsshouldbeusedtolessentheharmthatwaterdoestoabuildingfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveycarriedoutbyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Noparticularactionisrequiredbyyoutomaketheproductworkandsoresiliencewillprotectevenwhileyouareawayfromyourhouseandiffloodingarrivesquicklywithnowarning.Insituationswherefloodwaterisexpectedtoarriveveryquicklyandwithhighdepthandvelocitythebuildingstructuremaybeatrisk.Inthesecasesastructuralsurveyisrecommended.

Flood plan considerationsTheseproductsdonotrequireactivatingtomakethemworkandsoprotectiontoyourhousedoesnotdependuponreceivingandactingonafloodwarning.Notrainingisneededtooperatetheproductsandnolongtermstorageofitemsisrequired.Routineinspectionandmaintenanceoftheresiliencemeasuresishoweveressential.

Creatingafloodplanisimportantforprotectingpeopleandyourpropertyinanemergency.Aswellasstatingwhodoeswhatwhenfloodingisexpected,thefloodplanshouldsaywhattodoina‘worstcasescenario’suchaswhenfloodingisworsethanexpectedandtheriskofpeoplebeingtrappedinthehousewithrisingwater.


Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours


BAR BARBAR

10% 1% 0.1%



34



Water compatible internal walls

Approximately2xcostoftraditionalgypsumorplasterboard

Permanentlyinplace.

Needsgoodqualityworkmanship.Therearestillcleaninganddryingcostsfollowingaflood.Probablyonlycosteffectivetoreplaceexistingaspartofflooddamagerepairwork.Nokitemark.

Aquobex-DragonboardChemicalDPCbelowjoists.Closed-cellinsulation.Lime-plaster.PropertyCareAssociation–waterproofmembrane.Revetment–Dragonboard.Tiling.WaterproofliningforinternalwallsandfloorsfromSafeguardEurope:OldroydXvClearOldroydXpOldroydXv20.DrybaseliquidappliedDPMfromSafeguardEurope.

Water compatible floors Permanentlyinplace.

Needsgoodqualityworkmanship.Therearestillcleaninganddryingcostsfollowingaflood.Probablyonlycosteffectivetoreplaceexistingaspartofflooddamagerepairwork.Nokitemark.

Concrete.Epoxycoating.Tiles.

Aquobex.Revetment.

Water compatible kitchen/bathroom appliances and fixtures.

£100’sto£1,000’s Permanentlyinplace.

Therearestillcleaninganddryingcostsfollowingaflood.Probablyonlycosteffectivetoreplaceexistingaspartofflooddamagerepairwork.Nokitemark.

RKBplastickitchens.SteelplanKitchens.Cheapcarcassesfordisposalafterflood.

Aquobex.Revetment.

SteelplanKitchens

35



Water compatible woodwork.

Relativelyinexpensive.Approximately£100perdoor.

Permanentlyinplace.


Plasticalternatives.Waterproofpaint.

Aquobex.Revetment.

Water compatible stairs. Approximately2xcostoftraditionalbuild.

Permanentlyinplace.


Concrete.Hardwood.Steel.

Aquobex.Revetment.

36

Description Theseresiliencemeasuresaredesignedtoreducetheamountofdamagecausedwhenwaterentersabuildingbyraising,removingorcoveringvulnerableitemstogetthemoutofthewayoffloodwater.Ideallyapackageofproductsshouldbeusedtolessentheharmthatwaterdoestoabuildingfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveybyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Someitemscanberaisedandpermanentlyfixedintopositiononceonlywhileotherswillneedactioneachtimefloodingisexpected.Whereactionisrequirednofloodprotectionwillbeavailablewhenyouareawayfromhome.Insituationswherefloodwaterisexpectedtoarriveveryquicklyandwithhighdepthandvelocitythebuildingstructuremaybeatrisk.Inthesecasesastructuralsurveyisrecommended.

Flood plan considerationsSomeoftheseproductsrequireactiontomakethemworkandsoprotectiontoyourhousedependsuponreceivingandactingonafloodwarning.Sometrainingmaybeneededtocorrectlyoperatetheproductsandlongtermstorageofitemsmayberequired.Routineinspectionandmaintenanceoftheresiliencemeasuresishoweveressential.



BAR BAR

10% 1% 0.1%

Required input of people Low High

10.2 Resilience – Remove vulnerable items from flood risk


BAR

Mid


Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours

37



Raised utilities Costtorewireahouse,£1k-£4k.

Permanentlyinplace.

Thereisapracticallimittohowhighelectricscanberaised.Nofloodqualitykitemark.

Localelectricians.

Raised kitchen appliances.

Relativelylowcostplinths.

Permanentlyinplace.

Thereisapracticallimittohowhighappliancescanberaised.Therearestillcleaninganddryingcostsfollowingaflood.Nofloodqualitykitemark.

Removable fixtures and fittings.

Relativelylowcost. Rapiddeployment.Inexpensive.

Requiresoccupanttomaintainanddeploy.Nokitemark.

Quickreleasehingesforinternaldoors.RemovableradiatorsfromJaga.

Relocate valuables Zerocost. Rapiddeployment.Nocost.

Requiresoccupanttodeploy.Largeitemsmaybedifficulttomove.

Movevaluablesupstairs.Raisevaluablesontables/plinths.

Water-tight cover for values

Approximately£50percover.

Rapiddeployment.Inexpensive.

Requiresoccupanttostorebagsanddeploy.Nokitemark.

FloodPossessionsProtector.MFCSurvival–Floodbag.

Ref:DEFRAR&Dtechnicalreport,PamBowker,2007

38

10.3 Resilience – Expel water

Description Theseresiliencemeasuresaredesignedtoremovewaterthathasenteredyourhouseeithertoreducethewaterdepthinthebuildingortoquickendryingwhenthefloodinghasended.Ideallyapackageofproductsshouldbeusedtolessentheharmthatwaterdoestoabuildingfromaproperty-levelfloodprotectionsurveybyaqualifiedandexperiencedsurveyor.Pumpingsystemscanbeautomaticandsonospecificactionmayberequired.Clearly,wherethepumpisnotautomaticnofloodprotectionwillbeprovidedwhenyouareawayfromyourhome.Insituationswherefloodwaterisexpectedtoarriveveryquicklyandwithhighdepthandvelocitythebuildingstructuremaybeatrisk.Inthesecasesastructuralsurveyisrecommended.

Flood plan considerationsSomeoftheseproductsrequireactiontomakethemworkandsoprotectiontoyourhousedependsuponreceivingandactingonafloodwarning.Sometrainingmaybeneededtocorrectlyoperatetheproductsandlongtermstorageofitemsmayberequired.Routineinspectionandmaintenanceoftheresiliencemeasuresishoweveressential.



Required input of people

BAR BAR

10% 1% 0.1%

Low High

BAR

Mid



Flood duration

hoursdaysweeks

Flood onset

Days Minutes

Hours

39



Sump and pump £50-£2.5k Rapiddeployment.Relativelylowcost.Helpswherearesistanceproductleaks.Canremovefloodwaterinanemergency.

Mustbepositionedandsizedcorrectly.Mayrequireancillarypowersupply.Willneedservicingandmaintenance.Nokitemark.

Floodblock.Floodguards.Revetmentstandalonepump.TotalFloodSolutions.

40

11. Case Studies

JudyGibsonlivesinasmallvillageneartheRiverSevernmidwaybetweenUpton-Upon-SevernandTewkesbury.Shehasexperiencedtwomajorfloodsin2000&2007,thelatterresultinginatwoyearincarcerationinatouringcaravan(withnodirectwater/wastesupply!),whilsther16thcenturycottagewasrestored.Suchwasthedamagetotheoriginaloakbeamsuncoveredfollowingtheremovalofalltheoriginalplasterthattheceiling,staircase,ingle-nookfireplaceandtherearelevationrequiredreplacing.Herinsurancecompanywassympatheticbuttheenormousamountoftime,paperworkandsupervisionofthebuilderscertainlytookitstoll!Judywasdeterminedtoensurethatashercottagerequiredacompleterebuild,itshouldbeconstructedandrefurbishedtoensurethatitwasnotonlyfloodresilient,butwasdesignedtoensurethateverythingonthegroundfloorcouldbemovedtosafetyasquicklyaspossible.

Theprospectofneedingtoliveinacaravanagainforanothertwoyearswasdefinitelynotanoption!Itcanbedone!

11.1 Judy Gibson – A cottage in Worcestershire badly flooded in July 2007 now with resilience measures

Figure 1 Cottageduringfloods

Figure 2 Demolition!

41

Figure 13 Lightweightsettees–easytolift!

Figure 11 Downstairssink–novanityunit

Figure12 Unfixedbookcaseforeasyremoval

Figure 14 TVhungonthewall

Figure 3 Fueloiltankonraisedplinth

Figure 4 Boileronplinth

Figure 5 Demountablewaterproofradiators

byJagaFigure 6

Raisedfireplace

Figure 9 kitchenplinthonchromeleg

&plasticstools

Figure 7 Powderedcoatedsteelcarcasskitchen

unitsbySteelplanFigure 8

Figure8SteelkickboardsonkitchenFigure 10

Raisedfusebox

Theimagesbelowshowworkthatweredonetorestorethecottage:

42

ThelocationisasinglehousenearTadcaster,NorthYorkshire.ThehouseisnotwithinthefloodplainofariverandisnotshowntobeatfloodriskontheEnvironmentAgency’sfloodmap.Thereisnoformaldataavailableforflooddepth,duration,onsetandprobability,soanunderstandingoffloodriskmustbegainedfromlocalknowledge.

Floodinghasoccurredatleast5timesbetween2000and2007duetorunofffromsurroundinghillspassingthroughthislocationinthevillageandoverwhelminganadjacentdrainageditch.Waterdepthhastypicallybeenapproximately300mmbutaninternalwaterdepthofupto900mmhasaffectedpartsoftheinteriorofthehouse.

11.2 A single property with a comprehensive range of flood resistance/resilience measures in Tadcaster

Figure 1 FloodingoutsidethehousenearTadcaster Figure 1 Internalflooding

43

Theownerofthehouseprivatelyfundedalargerangeofresistanceandresiliencetechniques:

• Thegroundfloorswereoriginallyconstructedfromstonebeddedontomortar/earth.Theoriginalfloorwasdugupandtheexteriorwallsweretanked.Anewconcretefloorwithwater-resistantmembranewaslaid.Ceramictileswereusedasthefinalfinishonallgroundfloors.

• Water-resistantcement-basedplasterwascoatedontointernalwalls.

• Allmajorjoinerywasreplacedwithhardwood.

• Raisedelectrics.

• Bespoketemporarydoorguardswereobtainedforfrontandrearoutsidedoorsandsecondarydoorguardsfortheinternaldoorway.

• Theflooroftheconservatorywasraised300mm.

• Newpermanentflooddefencewallswereconstructedatfrontandrearofhouse.

• Sixsubmersiblepumpswereinstalledinthefrontareargardentokeepthewaterleveldownbehinddefencewalls.

• Allthrough-wallserviceconnectionswereraised900mmabovethegroundfloorlevel.

• Adownstairsgravitydrainedtoiletwasreplacedwithapumpedsystem.

• Siliconesealantwasappliedtoexteriorwalls.

• Astockofwaterabsorbingbagsarekeptavailabletoassistwithanyresistancemeasurethatshowsseepage.

Figure 3 Doorguardfittedtotheinternaldoorway

Itisnotknownwhetheraformalfloodplanhasbeenproduced.Aplanwillassesstherisktopeopleandprovideaclearemergencystrategyuponreceiptofawarning(thewarningislikelytobebaseduponMetOfficeinformationandlocalobservation).Theplanwillensuretheongoingeffectivenessofthefloodprotectionmeasuresandwillbeinvaluabletonewownersoftheproperty.

Nofloodincidenthasoccurredsofarsincethemeasureshavebeenputinplace.

44

ChewMagnaisavillageintheRiverChewvalley,southofBristolandwestofBath.TheChewValleyandsurroundingcatchmentsweredevastatedinJuly1968whenasummerstormcausedwidespreaddestructionandfloodingofatleast88properties.Despitetheflooding,acommunitywideflooddefenceschemecouldnotbejustifiedforthevillage.

FloodingatChewMagnacomesaboutfromintenselocalrainfalleventscausingfloodingoftheWinfordBrook(forthenorthernpartofthevillage)andfromtheRiverChew(forthesouthernpartofthevillage).Depthsoffloodingvaryfrom0.02mto1.77mfora4%annualprobabilityeventupto0.09mto1.98mfora0.1%annualprobabilityevent.Foreventswithanannualprobabilityofgreaterthan1%,therearefivepropertieswhicharepredictedtobeinundatedtoadepthof1mormore.97propertieswereidentifiedasbeingwithintheFloodZone2boundary,and69oftheseweretargetedforfloodprotectionmeasuresaspartofaDefrafundedPropertyProtectionGrantScheme.

Surveyorsinspectedeachpropertyandrecommendedgenericmeasuresthatwererequiredtoprotecttheproperties.Measuresthatwereadoptedincluded:

• Doorbarriers(screw-inandslideintypes).

• Airbrickprotection.

• Toiletbungs.

• Sewer/drainnon-returnvalvesandminisinkwastenonreturnvalves.

• Onepropertywasalsofittedwithasumpandpumpsystem.

Thetotalcostoftheprojectwas£325k.Arepresentativeofthelocalparishcouncilwasinstrumentalindrivingthedeliveryoftheprojectforward,liaisingwithlocalresidentsthroughoutdelivery.Thesamepersonwasalsoactivelyinvolvedinworkingwiththecommunityand

managingcommunityfloodplansandalocalFloodActionGroup.TheFloodActionGroupincludesabuddysystemtoensurethatallmeasuresaredeployedattimesoffloods,providingassistanceforexampletoelderlypeoplewholiveinasmallcommunitywithinthevillage,andforpeoplewhoworkawayorareawayonholiday.

11.3 Properties in Chew Magna received temporary flood resistance measures

Figure 1 SilverStreet,ChewMagnain

1968.Thedarklinebytheporchtopmarksthewaterheight

Figure 1 Doorguardfittedtothefrontdoor

Figure 2 Petflapcover

45

ThisprojectwasundertakeninDenshamAvenueandGoughAvenueinthedistrictofDallaminWarringtonaspartofaDefrafundedPropertyProtectionGrantScheme.17propertieswereidentifiedasbeingatfloodriskasaresultofsurfacewaterfromstormswithannualprobabilityofupto5%.Floodinghadpreviouslyoccurredinthisarea5timesbetween2004and2008withinternalfloodingofupto20properties.

PropertysurveyswereundertakenandappropriateBSikite-markedfloodprotectionproductswereimplemented:

• Guardsfittedtofrontandpatiodoors.

• Automaticallyclosingairbricks.

• Airbrickcoversforlowlevelvents.

Thecostoftheprojectwas£32k.ThispartofWarringtonfallswithinanEnvironmentAgencyfloodwarningareaforhighwateronDallamBrook.However,pastfloodsappeartobeasaresultoflocalsurfacewaterandnotdirectlyasaresultofthebrook.Forthisreason,WarringtonBoroughCouncilarelookingintoappointinganeighbourhoodco-ordinatortomanagefloodwarningstoresidentsintheeventofadverseweatherconditions.

11.4 Properties in Dallam received temporary flood resistance measures

Figure 1 FloodinginDallam

Figure 2 FloodinginDallam

Figure 3 Doorguardfixtures

onahouseinDallam

Figure 4 Doorguardfixturesand

auto-closingairbricksonahouseinDallam

46

Thisprojectinvolved45homesatEamontBridgeinCumbriaandwaspartlyfundedbytheDefrafundedPropertyProtectionGrantSchemeandalsobytheEnvironmentAgency.FloodingarisesfromtheRiverEamont.Floodingtopropertiesbeginsduringa5%annualprobabilityfloodeventandlastsapproximately24hours.45propertiesfloodedinNovember2009duringanapproximately1.33%annualprobabilityflood.

Propertysurveyswereundertakenandappropriatefloodresistanceproductswerefittedincluding:

• Guardsfittedtoexternaldoors.

• Airbrickcoversandautomaticallyclosingairbricks.

Thetotalcostoftheprojectwasapproximately£190k.

TheEnvironmentAgencyprovidesaFloodWarningServicewith2hourlead-timeforthisarea,sotheequipmentcanbeinstalledingoodtime.AFloodActionGroupwascreatedinordertopulleveryonetogetherandimplementacommunityfloodplan.

11.5 Properties at Eamont Bridge received temporary flood resistance measures

TheprojectinvolvedasinglepropertyonthebanksoftheRiverSeverninWorcesterthathadconsistentlyfloodedsinceitsconstruction.Severefloodingin2007sawthewaterlevelriseabovethegroundfloorwindowsills.Overtimetheoriginalfloorslabhadbecomecrackedandthedamp-proofmembranehadfailedmeaningthattherewasfrequentwateringressintothegroundfloorwhenevertheriverlevelroseorduringheavyrain.

Theownerofthehousearrangedforaproperty-levelfloodsurveyandprivatelyfundedarangeofresistanceandresiliencemeasures:

• Awatertightmembranewasfittedbehindthefloorandwallsonthegroundfloorwithcavitydrainagelinkedtoasumpandpumpsystem(twinsumpseachwithtwinpumpsforhighdischargeandfail-safe).

• Removablefloodbarriersacrossdoors,windowsandentrypointsbetweenterraces.

• Non-returnvalvesonservicepipes.

TheEnvironmentAgencyprovidesaFloodWarningServiceforthisarea,sothetemporaryfloodresistancemeasurescanbeinstalledingoodtime.Aninformalfloodactiongrouphasbeencreatedsothatlocalresidentscanhelpeachotherwiththefloodbarriers.

11.6 A single property in Worcester with a range of resistance and resilience products

47

Figure 1FloodingatthepropertyinWorcester

Figure 2 Water-proofmembraneswithoneof

thesumpsreadyforpumpinstallation

(Source:TritonChemicals)

48

Afterthearduoustaskofclearingseaweedandotherdebrisfollowingastormsurgeandwindassistedtidalfloodoftheircarparkin2008,agroupofneighboursdecidedtoinstallafloodbarrier.Thebarrierwasinstalledlaterthesameyearandfortunately,ithasonlybeenneededonce–despiteextremerainfallandtheimmediateareasufferingextensiveflooding.

Oneofthecottageownerscommented:“Ourhomewasbuiltaround20yearsagoand,whilstitisnotsusceptibletothefloodingthatthelocalareahasexperiencedinrecentyears,thecarparkinwhichIandmythreeneighbourskeepourcarsbecomesfloodedaboutonceeveryfouryears.Thewaterrisestoaboutfourincheswhich,althoughdoesn’tnecessarilysoundashighasfloodwatersinotherareasofthecountry,withwavesontopitismorethanenoughtocausearealmesswithallofseaweedandgrasscuttingsloshingaroundinChichesterHarbourbeingdumpedinfrontofourcottages.”

“Oncethefloodwaterfinallyrecedes,thecarparkisfullofdebrisandisinaterriblemess;ittakeshoursforustobeabletostartusingthecarparkagainandisarealnuisance–Icanonlyimagehowutterlyterribleitmustbeforpeopletoexperiencethisintheirhomes.

“WhenthecarparkwasatriskoffloodinginOctober2012,weweredelightedtobeabletorelaxafterquicklyerectingtheFloodControlInternationalbarrier.Theimpacthasbeenquiteincredible;onlyadropofwaterescapedbeneaththebarrierandcameintoourcarpark.Itisquiteextraordinaryseeingthebarriersinaction,literallyholdingbackthefloods.IfIhadn’tseenitformyselfIwouldn’thavebelievedtheywouldbequitesoeffective.

“Itwasabsolutelymoneywellspent.Ihavenoconcernsnowwhatsoeverofourcarparkflooding,regardlessofhowhighthestormsurgeis.Iwouldn’thesitatetorecommendtohomeownersthattheyinstallfloodpreventionandprotectionmeasurestotheirhomes;theyreallydoworkandcansaveanenormousamountofheartache,disruptionand,ifhomesareatrisk,alotofmoney.”

11.7 A Car Park in Chichester – Installing Flood Barriers Successfully Keeps the Water Out

Figure 1 PostmaninBoshambraves

thefloodwaters

Figure 2 Floodbarrierinaction

49

Absorbeez is part of the Action Dry Group:

ActionDryGroupPOBox139UpminsterEssexRM142YDEactiondry@mac.comWwww.absorbeez.com

AquaFence Ltd.

TheWorkshopBearsLaneSwaffhamAlcesterNorfolkPE377QBT 01760722750 [email protected]

Aqua-sac is part of AET:

AETPOBOX4706SheffieldS179BUNationalSalesNumber:[email protected]

Aquobex Ltd

Building69BuildingResearchEstablishmentBucknallsLaneGarstonWatfordHertfordshireWD259XXT01923518582Eenquiries@aquobex.comWwww.aquobex.com

CARO FLOOD DEFENCE SYSTEMS

EdgeBarn11MarketHillRoystonHertfordshireSG89JNT01763244446F01763244111Einfo@caro.co.ukWwww.caro.co.uk

Combined Harvesters Ltd.

BritanniaHouseDockRoadBirkenheadWirralCH411DFT01516390880F01516392212Einfo@combinedharvesters.co.ukWwww.combinedharvesters.co.uk

Defence Doors LtdFairwaysHouseThornholmeDriffieldYO254NNT01262490219E [email protected]

Dutchdam B.V.

BoddensHosangweg84-2481LAWoubruggeTheNetherlandsT0031(0)[email protected]

Easifit Ventguard

[email protected]

Flash Flood Doors Limited

Unit6,BevanCloseFinedonRoadIndustrialEstateWellingboroughNorthamptonshireNN84BLT01162672408Einfo@flashflooddoors.co.ukWwww.flashflooddoors.co.uk

Flood Ark Ltd

TheForgeTheStreetLyngNorwichNR95QZT01603879977F01603879964Einfo@floodark.co.ukWwww.floodark.co.uk

Flood Control and Flood Control International

KilworthyParkTavistockDevonPL190FZT01822619732Eenquiries@floodcontrol.co.ukWwww.floodcontrol.co.uk

12. Directory of flood protection product manufacturers and suppliers featured in this handbook

50

Floodgate Limited

49/51LammasStreetCarmarthenWalesSA313ALT01267234205F01267232752Esales@floodgate.ltd.ukWwww.floodgate.ltd.uk

Flood Guards Systems Ltd.

Unit8AKennetWeirBusinessParkArrowheadRoadThealeBerksRG74AZT08455000077F08455000088Esales@floodguards.comWwww.floodguards.com

Floodguard UK Ltd

T08000735455F01257255985Eadmin@floodguarduk.co.ukWwww.floodguarduk.co.uk

Flood Plan

ApexHouseHavannahStreetCheshireCW122AGT01260289089Einfo@floodplan.co.ukWwww.floodplan.co.uk

Flood Safe Flood Alarms

PC-QSolutionsLtdT/aFloodSafeCambrianHouse1CambrianPlaceLlanidloesPowysSY186BXEinfo@floodalarms.co.ukWwww.floodalarms.co.uk

FloodSense

TheWorkshopBearsLaneSwaffhamNorfolkPE377QBT01760722758F01760724826Einfo@floodsense.co.ukWwww.floodsense.co.uk

Floodsax by Environmental Defence Systems Ltd

[email protected]

FloodSentry Limited

CoachHouse1CorneyburyFarmOfficesRoystonRoadBuntingfordHertsSG99RST01763272455F01763272455Esales@floodsentry.comWwww.floodsentry.com

Floodtite Systems Ltd

500TheBroadwayMuswellHillLondonN101BTT02084420872Esales@floodtite.comWwww.floodtite.com

FloodWall

T01923859994F01277637590Einfo@floodwall.org.ukWwww.floodwall.org.uk

Flood Wall Systems

T08450959990Ebob@floodwallsystems.co.ukWwww.floodwallsystems.co.uk

Flowstop Ltd

1KingdomAvenueNorthacreIndustrialEstateWestburyWiltshireBA134WET01373858234F01373858235E [email protected]

51

Hydro-Logic Ltd and Isodaq

OldGrammarSchoolChurchStreetBromyardHerefordshireHR74DPT01885483789F01885483792Epwebster@hydro-logic.co.ukWwww.hydro-logic.co.uk

Icopal - Head Office

BartonDockRoadStretfordManchesterUnitedKingdomM320YLT01618654444F01618642616Einfo.uk@icopal.comWwww.icopal.co.uk

Kiltox

Unit6ChiltonianIndustrialEstate203ManorLaneLeeLondonSE120TXT08451662040F08451662050Einfo@kiltox.co.ukWwww.kiltox.co.uk

Marley Plumbing and Drainage

LenhamMaidstoneKentME172DET01622858888F01622858725Emarketing@marleyext.comWwww.marleyplumbinganddrain-age.com

MFC Survival Ltd

NavalYardTonypandyRhonddaCynonTaffCF401JST01443433075F01443420448Esales@mfc-survival.comWwww.mfc-survival.net

MISSION Rubber UK Limited

Units4+5AtlasBusinessParkStarnhillCloseEcclesfieldSheffieldS359TGT01142570040F01142571122Esales@missionrubber.co.ukWwww.missionrubber.co.uk

Multi-Flood Solutions

SouthfieldsBorastonLaneTenburyWellsWorcestershireWR158RBT01584819233F01584819130Einfo@multifloodsolutions.co.ukWwww.multifloodsolutions.co.uk

Newlands (forFloodBuddyandVentBuddy)

NewlandsConservatories&GardenBuildingsEveshamRoadNortonEveshamWorcestershireWR114TWT01386446089F01386446089Einfo@floodybuddy.comWwww.m0rad.demon.co.uk

Nanoshell

3MarySeacoleRoadTheMillfieldsPlymouthDevonPL13JYT08458388648Einfo@nanoshell.co.ukWwww.nanoshell.co.uk

Revetment Flood Protection

7TheCoachHousesHenley-in-ArdenWarwickshireB955FNT08448044046Eenquiries@revetment.uk.comWwww.flood-guards.co.uk

Safeguard Europe Ltd

RedkilnCloseHorshamWestSussexRH135QLT01403210204Wwww.safeguardeurope.com

Snorkel Vent is a trading name of Donite Plastics Ltd:Donite Plastics Ltd

PrimaBusinessPark280ComberRoadLisburnNorthernIrelandBT276TAT02892639995F02892639996Einfo@snorkelvent.co.ukWwww.snorkelvent.co.uk

52

Steelplan Kitchens

WealdstoneRoadKimptonIndustrialEstateSuttonSurreySM39RWT02082542018F02086415026Esales@steelplan.comWwww.steelplan.com

Tilt Dam Ltd

T01494672323T07841830393T01903883276Esales@tiltdam.co.ukWwww.tiltdam.co.uk

Total Flood Solutions

Units12LlanelliGateLlanelliSA148LQT08454567175F01554759866Einfo@totalfloodsolutions.comWwww.totalfloodsolutions.com

Tubewall from:

ProtectahomeLtdSalisburyHouseTheSquareMagorCaldicotGwentNP263HYT08456011980Esales@Tubewall.co.ukWwww.tubewall.co.uk

Triton Systems

Units3-5CrayfordCommercialCentreGreyhoundWayCrayfordKentDA14HFT01322318830F01322524017Wwww.triton-chemicals.co.uk

UK Flood Barriers Limited

9aWassageWayHamptonLovettIndustrialEstateDroitwichWorcestershireWR9ONXT01905773282F01905775037Einfo@ukfloodbarriers.co.ukWwww.ukfloodbarriers.co.uk

Watertight International Ltd

NorthLaneFoxtonMarketHarboroughLeicestershireLE167RFT01858546810Eenquiries@watertightinternational.comWwww.watertightinternational.com

Whitehouse Construction Co. Ltd

BlenheimRoadAshbourneDerbyshireDE61JUT01335344000F01335346546Wwww.whitehouseconstruction.co.uk

53

13 Useful contacts

TheEnvironmentAgencyoffersadviceonfloodprotectionmeasuresandfloodplanningandprovidesmanyusefulguidesandtemplates:www.environment-agency.gov.uk

MetOffice:www.metoffice.gov.uk

DEFRAhasfundedseveralresearchprojectsintofloodriskmitigation:www.defra.gov.uk

TheinsurancecompanyAVIVAhaveproducedawebsitethatgivesusefuladviceforpropertylevelfloodresilience:www.floodresilienthome.com

TheFloodProtectionAssociationpromotestheinterestsofmanufacturersandinstallersoffloodprotectionequipment:www.thefpa.org.uk

TheCharteredInstitutionofWaterandEnvironmentalManagement(CIWEM)maintainaprofessionalsdirectorywherealistoffloodriskconsultantscanbefound:www.ciwem.org

TheNationalFloodForumprovidessupportandadvicetocommunitiesandindividualsthathavebeenfloodedorareatriskofflooding,whichincludesthe‘bluepages’directoryoffloodprotectionproductsandserviceswww.floodforum.org.uk

MaryDhonauhasproducedawebsitethatprovidesadviceonfloodprotectionproductsandmethods:www.marydhonau.co.uk

ThePropertyCareAssociationprovidesinformationaboutfloodrestorationontheirwebsite:www.property-care.org

FloodPlanUKisawebsitethatprovidesadviceonprotectingyourhomeandplanningforflooding:www.floodplanuk.org

TheRoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors(RICS)hasproducedausefulguidetofloodingforthepropertyownerjustfollowthelinktousefulguidesontheUKwebsite.RICSalsomaintainalistofcharteredsurveyors:www.rics.org/uk

RABConsultantsLtdcanprovideadviceandassistanceonfloodriskandproperty-levelprotectionsurveys:www.rabconsultants.co.uk

54

Flood Protection Guide 2013

Documents

flood risk

flood resilience

permanent resistance

temporary resistance

useful links

homeowners guide

case studies12