GB2370597A - Domestic flood barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A flood barrier has a metal frame (1, figure 1) fixed around the aperture to be protected, for example a door, window or air brick, to which is fitted a uPVC panel 3, preferably with a rubber seal between. The panel is held in place by fastenings 4, which may be wing nuts. A handle 5 may be provided on the panel for ease of installation.

Description

Flood protection system.

This invention relates to a permanent/temporary Flood Protection System for use on homes, and other buildings in high risk flood areas, where access is needed during"dry"periods, and rapid protection from water entry when flooding is likely.

Recent events in Britain have shown that flooding in populated areas is possible and can at times be rapid with as little as half an hour notice, before property and life can be threatened by rising water.

Existing flood protection systems tend to be restricted to permanent fixtures such as underground run offs, or permanent barriers which can be raised when warnings are issued. The problem is that if these systems fail or are overwhelmed, severe damage to property is likely, as these systems only protect risk areas and not individual premises.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary detachable uPVC panel, made in various sizes, to cover and seal all water access areas including doors, windows and vents. UPVC would be ideal for its light weight and therefore ease of installation. This is fastened, by means which are unimportant at this stage, to a permanent continuous frame running around the vulnerable areas.

This is to be used in conjunction with existing methods of water proofing property including sealing brickwork and fitting one way valves to waste pipes to prevent backflow of waste water into property.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows the view from the front of a continuous frame permanently attached to the brickwork and running around the outside of entry points.

Figure 2 shows the uPVC panel attached to the frame.

Referring to the drawing the frame I comprises a steel galvanised or painted strip directly attached to the brickwork 6, which has rubber strips 2 either side, one to seal the frame and the bricks and the other to seal the frame and the detachable panel, which runs continuously around an entry point.

The Panel 3 is attached to the frame in this case with wingnuts 4 (although this fastening is unimportant) and against the rubber seal on the outer face of the

frame.

Handles 5 are attached to the outer face of the panel to ensure ease of installation.

In the event of the system being used on a doorway, the lower portion leaves the brickwork and is embedded in the doorstep 7 to form a continuous seal.

Claims (7)

1. A removable, uPVC panel, comprising fittings to allow it to be fixed and water sealed to a permanent frame.

2. A metal galvanised or painted frame permanently attached to external brickwork around all water entry points and vulnerable property areas.

3. A permanent frame as claimed in claim 2 with fittings to allow the temporary uPVC panel as claimed in claim I to be securely fitted and sealed to it.

4. A uPVC panel as claimed in claim 1 with at least one handle.

5. A permanent frame as claimed in claim 2 with at least one rubber strip each side running the entire distance around the frame.

6. The notion that the frame as claimed in claim 2 is continuous and would run from the brickwork and into the step in the floor in the case of a doorway.

7. A flood protection system substantially as described herein with references to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.