GB2356661A

GB2356661A - Domestic flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2356661A
Application number: GB9926550A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Jepson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-09
Filing date: 1999-11-09
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Also published as: GB9926550D0

Description

2356661 FLOOD WATER AND MUD STREAM BARRIER The invention relates to a

removable barrier which is completely sealed, to protect against the inflow of flood water, mud streams and storm surge water.

THe main existing known defence against the inflow of flood water, mud streams and storm surge water is the use of barricades constructed from sandbags.

In flash flood situations there is very little time to assemble the bags and construct the barricade, and even when constructed, it will not stop the inflow of water without further protection.

The object of the invention is to provide a completely sealed removable barrier which can be operational in a very short period of time and will completely protect against the inflow of flood water, mud streams and storm surge water.

Accordingly, this invention comprises of a barrier support frame which is permanently fastened and sealed insitu between door and window jambs and sills, and a removable barrier which is placed and locked in position within the support frame.

A tube which is attached to the barrier, and which runs along the gap between the support frame and the barrier, is then inflated to give a positive seal against the inflow of water or mud.

Any number of frames and removable barriers can be fastened between fixed stanchions for general flood protection.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective, the barrier support frame and barrier fitted to a standard doorway of a private residence.

Figure 2 shows in elevation, the top left hand corner of the barrier support frame with the barrier in position.

Figure 3 shows in plan, the top left hand corner of the barrier support frame with the barrier in position.

Figure 4 shows in plan, the top left hand corner of the barrier with an alternative support frame assembly.

Figure 5 shows in elevation, a heavier edition of the barrier support frame and barrier, on industrial premises, where the barrier is lowered in position by overhead hoist mechanism.

Figure 6 shows in cross section, multiple tube track if extra protection is desired.

Referring to drawing Figure 1, this shows an example of a barrier support frame 2 fastened and sealed permanently in position between the jambs 1 of a standard door opening in a private residence.

The removable barrier 3 is shown fitted in the barrier support frame Angle stiffners 4 are bolted to the barrier 3 and are shown extended either side of the barrier to transfer the load against the barrier from water or mud, directly as a distributed load on to the building.

The angle stiffners 4 are used as baffles to reduce water climb up the barrier 3 caused by water swirl or wake.

The thickness of the barrier 3 and the size of the angle stiffners 4 will vary depending on where the barrier is to be employed, and the known or anticipated severity of the situation.

The principle feature of the invention is the use of a inflatable tube 6 which is used to seal the small gap between the barrier support frame 2 and the barrier 3.

The tube 6, which is clipped to the barrier 3 fits between a semi circular form 5 fastened to the barrier 3 and a corresponding semi circular form 5 fastened to the barrier support frame as shown in Figure 3.

When the barrier 3 is placed in the operational position in the barrier support frame, and locked onto the locating stud 7, the tube is then inflated and pressurized pneumatically or hydraulically to ensure a positive seal against water and mud.

In order to use a common tube 6 for both the sides and bottom of of the barrier 3, the tracks for the tube at the bottom corners are radiused through 90 degrees to prevent tube distortion and a loss of efficiency. 8.

Figure 5 shows an example of a larger and heavier barrier 3 fitted to industrial premises, where the barrier is lowered into position by overhead hoist mechanism 9.

On such larger barriers, stronger and more durable tubes would be used and defined as tyres.

Where additional tubes are desired for added protection, the track would be as shown in cross section Figure 6.

The height and width of the support frames and barriers will vary depending on site requirements.

Claims

1 A flood water and mud stream barrier comprising of a barrier support frame which is permanently fastened and sealed to the building fabric and a removable barrier which when required is locked in position within the support frame, and the perimeter sealed by means of an inflatable tube located in corresponding tracking on both the support frame and barrier.

2. A flood water and mud stream barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the inflated sealing tube is protected from damage from floating debris and over inflation burst by the corresponding tracking on the support frame and barrier.

3. A flood water and mud stream barrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where angle stiffners are strategically placed and fastened to reinforce the barrier and are extended to rest against the support frame so that the load on the barrier under flood conditions is transferred as a distributed load onto the building fabric.