GB2369847A - Portable flood barrier for a doorway or window - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable flood barrier which is readily installed and removed from a doorway reveal or window opening comprises a central panel with a bottom seal and two side members which are U-shaped in horizontal section and have side seals, the side members being laterally slidable relative to the central panel so that their seals can engage the sides of the opening. The side seals may be engaged by means of hinged rods and the bottom seal may be urged downwardly by cam levers.

Description

Portable Flood Barrier for doorway or window This invention relates to a portable flood barrier for a doorway or window.

Properties are at an increasing risk of flooding due to changing weather patterns and urbanisation or areas which were previously natural flood plains. While some properties suffer complete inundation, the majority of properties are affected by relatively shallow depths of flood water. Nevertheless even shallow depths of flood water still result in considerable damage to property and disruption to peoples'lives, especially if the flood water is polluted by sewage or other contamination.

The conventional way of protecting properties against flood damage is the placing of

sandbags across the threshold. Sandbags are only effective for a short time and often fail 0 to prevent water entering the property during a prolonged period of flooding.

Another remedy sometimes employed is the installation of a permanent stop gate across a doorway. This is relatively expensive to fix, incurs maintenance problems and the stop gate is difficult to remove to gain access to the property.

Many areas are susceptible to flooding within a region, but due to the spatial nature of intense rainfall the flooding is often quite localised within a flood prone region. Modem monitoring and computer modelling techniques enable the authorities to accurately predict locations where problems are most likely to occur. A portable and readily installed flood barrier therefore provides for emergency works targeted at an area under particular threat.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable barrier comprising of a panel and attached side channels with integral seals. The barrier is adjustable and can be easily installed in a doorway to provide flood protection for shallow depths of flooding.

Once the initial adjustments have been made, the lightweight unit can be installed and removed by a single person without the need of tools or any specialist skills.

The barrier can be easily removed to obtain access to the property during dry weather conditions. The unit obviates the need for a separate fixed sub frame and requires no maintenance.

The one piece construction allows the unit to be stored when not required. Also, being portable the panel can be used in emergency situations where flooding is rare and not a continuous risk.

The flood protection panel comprises a central section with a bottom seal and adjustable side sections integral means of compressing the side seals against the side walls of the door reveal and the bottom seal against the base.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of the unit in situ in a typical doorway.

Figure 2 illustrates a section through the central panel in a typical doorway.

Figure 3 shows the unit removed from the doorway in preparation for storage.

Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the hinged rods during installation of the panel. zn Referring to Figure 3 the central panel is a solid lightweight board This panel fits between two sealed channels on either side where there is a degree of movement to facilitate the compression of these channels during installation. A variety of materials can be used including GRP, plastic and metal. Along the base of the board, a permanent dual rubber and polypropylene seals are incorporated. The side channels are similarly fitted with integral rubber and polypropylene seals.

In order to install the unit the panel complete with side channels is firstly placed in the recess. The hinged rods located at the rear of the panel are pressed downwards and locked. This action, which jacks the side channels apart, compresses the side seals against the reveal and fixes the side channels in position. The two cam handles on top of the unit are then rotated outwards driving the central panel downwards and compressing the base seal. Removal is the reverse sequence, firstly releasing the cam handles and then unlocking the two hinged rods by removal of the locking device and allowing the centre of the rod to spring upwards. Further pulling up of the hinged rods fully releases the side channels and allows the complete unit to be removed.

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1) A portable flood barrier comprising a central panel with an integral bottom seal and adjustable U shaped side channels which clamp onto the central panel to allow the side channels to slide in or out on the central panel with integral side seals. The one piece unit is readily installed in a doorway reveal and removed when not required. No sub-frame or permanent fixings are employed in the installation. When installed the unit provides a barrier to the entry of water through the doorway.
2. 2) A portable flood barrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side seals are compressed by means of straightening two hinge jointed struts affixed to the edges of the side channels and the bottom seal is compressed by lowering cam handles affixed to the top of the side channels.
3. 3) A portable flood barrier as claimed in Claim 2 wherein installation is achieved without the need for specialist tools or equipment.
4. 4) A portable flood protection barrier as claimed in Claim 1,2 and 3 wherein the materials used in the construction are aluminium and plastic in order to make the unit lightweight for ease of handling.
5. 5) A portable flood protection barrier substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 on the accompanying drawing.