In medicine, it has been said that prevention is better than cure. The same goes for flood protection. According to the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, floods are the most expensive natural disasters. To be prepared is better than being sorry. As flooding is inevitable, minimising the consequences is the next best option.
The Dutch have influenced the evolution of flood defence systems over time - from dykes, wind mills, polders to flood gates and flood barriers. The wide variety of flood mitigation devices that are available in the market makes choosing a flood protection product that is beneficial in all the right sense to become challenging, but thanks to the Dutch we have a number of effective solutions to choose from.
One of the most reliable flood defence systems is the Hyflo SCFB (Self-Closing Flood Barrier). The system was originally developed in the Netherlands, a geographically low and flat country where 26% of its land area is located below sea level. The Hyflo Self-Closing Flood Barrier was intended to deliver optimum protection against high water levels. The flood protection product exclusively relies on its unique design and mechanism which allows an automatic response to rising floodwaters without using any human intervention.
Mechanism of the Hyflo Self-Closing Flood Barrier
The Hyflo Self-Closing Flood Barrier is buried into the ground, encased within a steel or concrete chamber. The mechanism of the flood defence system works once the floodwater rises to a fixed level, spilling into a service pit and through a pipeline into the chamber which causes the barrier to float and rise completely. When the chamber is filled with floodwater, a support block will lock the barrier in place, creating a watertight seal. The barrier will lower to its resting position once the floodwater recedes. Any excess water can be pumped out to further lower the barrier to the ground.
Benefits of Self-Closing Flood Barrier
Manual intervention is not required. The flood barrier uses floodwater and is self-operational, in other words, the barrier deploys with no human intervention whatsoever.
Storage is not necessary. Self-Closing Flood Barriers are non-obtrusive - it lowers itself to the ground when floodwater recedes. This feature also covers the aesthetic considerations of a property where permanent flood defence systems are not possible.
Rapid acting, watertight seal. Self-Closing Flood Barriers have a short closing time, which is ideal for flash floods. The flood protection product deploys instantly once there is an increasing flood water level. The barrier does not require any warning system or warning time.
Easy inspection. To raise the barrier, just fill the chamber with water.
Low maintenance. No mechanical parts being utilised and the flood barrier is not exposed to elements, hence a low-cost flooding solution for any property or business premises.
Flooding Solutions' Hyflo Self-Closing Flood Barrier has been installed at different sites around Australia and globally since in 1998, with no reported instances of failure.
Book a consultation on the Hyflo Self-Closing Flood Barriers with the Flooding Solutions Advisory Group.