GB2381032A

GB2381032A - Flood barrier for openings in buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2381032A
Application number: GB0128540A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Wolfenden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-20
Filing date: 2001-11-29
Publication date: 2003-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-29
Also published as: GB2381031A; GB2381031B; GB2381032B; GB0125230D0; GB0128540D0

Abstract

A domestic flood barrier comprising a frame 7 mounted to a wall round an opening and a panel assembly 5,6 secured to the frame 7 is characterised by a sealing arrangement comprising a planar surface 15 on the frame which is received between tongues 12 on the panel assembly and engages a compressible seal 9 retained by the tongues. The frame may be given a secure anchorage and enhanced sealing on the wall by means of a projecting tongue 13 received in a groove cut into the wall. The panel assembly may comprise a channel shaped member 5 enclosing th edge of the panel proper 6 and a spacer 8 surrounding an anchoring bolt 1.

Description

2381 032

- 1 HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLOODWATER BAR R I ER-TO-BUI LDING

CONNECTION AND SEALING MEANS

This invention relates to high-performance barrier-to-building connection and sealing means.

Increasing frequency and intensity of flooding across many countries of the world has led to alternative solutions being brought forward to prevent floodwater from entering buildings. Predominantly, these solutions involve the placement of waterproof barriers across door, window, and service apertures in such a way as to effectively seal the barrier to the building during flood conditions, and to enable its removal and storage at other times.

The floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means is a vital component in any solution, requiring to exhibit a range of characteristics including robustness and durability, flexibility, adaptability, and efficiency, and also be of such low bulk, light weight, and neat appearance consistent with meeting these key operational requirements. Known examples are relatively unsophisticated in both design and operation, and particularly unreliable in preventing floodwater penetration over the full duration of anticipated events. Deficiencies include: (1) simplistic arrangement of the seals making them prone to tampering, accidental damage, overcompression, uneven compression, and leakage; (2) floodwater able to circumnavigate the barrier via cracks and gaps in the building structure often existing around preformed apertures due to stress fracture for example, differential movement, poor construction, and weathering of materials; (3) stress spikes in the mounting frame and distortion of the sealing surface likely to arise from any method of point-fixing into the characteristically uneven face of a building; (4) inappropriate use of sealants and mastic to fill voids of variable depth

l - 2 between mounting frame and building face in that such methods are unreliable in bridging large gaps, are not formulated to work under water, and in any event have a limited life expectancy; (5) inability to accommodate the full range of different fixing situations found in practice - for example, projecting step or Gill, face fixing, reveal fixing; (6) inability to accommodate thermal movement of the barrier over the anticipated temperature range from night-time minimum to daytime maximum, and to accommodate differential thermal movement between barrier and frame, and frame and building, according to differential exposure to temperature and use of materials; (7) no resistance to the permeation of floodwater into the aperture through the microporous nature of the material surrounding the aperture via capillary action/ osmosis. It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a highperformance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means which is robust, durable, flexible, adaptable, and efficient, and for such means to be of low bulk, light weight and neat appearance consistent with meeting these requirements.

It is another object to satisfy those requirements not met by other known examples, in particular for such connection and sealing means to withstand ambient flood and climatic conditions without distortion, dislocation or leakage for a protracted period of time, at least as long as those conditions shall last.

Another object is to provide such connection and sealing means which is user friendly - accessible, controllable, secure, dependable, safe and easy to handle, and quick and easy to operate.

Another object is to provide compatibility with any method of fabricating a floodwater barrier, but in particular with a method of fabricating a lightweight, structurally-efficient floodwater barrier referred to in this specification but properly

set out in a distinct and separate application GB 0125230.3.

-3 According to the present invention there is provided a highperformance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means having a frame which bounds an external aperture of a building on at least three sides, the frame being provided with a continuous planar sealing surface able to locate between continuous projecting tongues moulded on the barrier or sealably attached thereto, the tongues holding continuous compressible seals therebetween and ensuring proper engagement between barrier and frame, and the frame itself being optionally provided with a continuous tongue sealably attached to the sealing surface or being an integral part thereof such that when the tongue is inserted into a reciprocal groove cut into the face of the building and bonded into the groove using a waterproof bonding agent and the barrier is held in compression against the complementary sealing surface on the frame, there is no distortion of the sealing surfaces and floodwater is unable to pass between the frame and the barrier, between the frame and the building, or permeate through the material forming the face of the building and thence into the aperture, thereby preventing floodwater from entering the building via the aperture or the enclosed area around it for a protracted period of time at least as long as flood conditions shall last.

The tongue and the bonding agent stiffen the frame structure and allow the sealing surface of the frame to bridge between high and low spots in the face of the building without deflection or torsion, and prevent floodwater from passing between the frame and the building without resorting to chemical sealants or mastic which are unreliable in bridging large gaps, are not formulated to work under water, and in any event have a limited life expectancy.

Since the tongue is not visible when anchored into the building, only the sealing surface remains to be seen when the barrier is not in use, and the sealing surface may itself be optionally recessed into the face of the building all so as to provide a neat and unobtrusive finish.

By bedding the tongue substantially into the building structure, resistance of the barrier and the frame to impact prom waterborne debris for example) is significantly increased, particularly to impact affecting the vertical ends of the barrier, and by attaching the frame uniformly to the building by bonding, the more-efficient transfer of stresses from lightweight barrier to massive building is enabled, again so as to

- 4 limit the effects of impact or imposed load.

With the frame face-fixed, and with the tongue able to enclose an area making up the face of the building around an aperture, cracks, gaps and joints may be encapsulated within the enclosure protected by the barrier, and physically sealed against the entry of floodwater whilst the barrier is in place.

By stopping-up the line of least resistance across the angle formed by the building structure returning into the aperture, the tongue prevents the permeation of moisture into the building interior for a protracted period of time likely to considerably exceed the duration of any anticipated flooding event.

The versatility of the frame and tongue is complemented by its adaptability in enabling both face-fixing and recess-fixing applications, and in facilitating fitting around apertures with raised, or partly raised, surrounds. This range makes possible meeting all anticipated application and user requirements.

Epoxy resin provides a permanent waterproof seal between frame and building, but the material is sufficiently thermoplastic in nature so as to permit thermal cycling of the frame relative to the face of the building without material loss of bonding, and the space between the tongue and the groove is so arranged as to accommodate such movement without distortion of the sealing surfaces. Separation may also be arranged between the tongues on the barrier and the shoulders on the frame to accommodate thermal movement of the barrier relative to the frame.

In less stressful flood environments, and particularly where the face of the building in contact with the frame has been regulated by grinding so as to provide a continuous planar surface free from irregularities, the tongue on the frame may be optionally dispensed with and the adhesion of the epoxy resin between the frame and the face of the building relied upon, with or without point fixing, for bonding, sealing and thermal cycling purposes.

Bringing the barrier into operation from a standby/storage position is designed to be quick and simple.

- 5 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway cross-section taken through the barrier edge at any point around at least three sides of the barrier showing the frame installed on the building and the barrier installed on the frame, where the barrier is optionally that described in application GB 0125230.3.

figures 2 to 4 each show section and elevation of three alternative methods of fixing the frame to the building, vertically and horizontally aligned for the purposes of comparison Figure 2 illustrates the method in the case of a projecting solid step or Gill where face-fixing is preferred; Figure 3 illustrates the method in the case of a projecting solid step or Gill where recess-fixing is preferred. Obviously the same method may be used in the case of a flush solid step or Gill, or flush surrounds.

Figure 4 illustrates the method in the case of a flush solid step or Gill or flush surrounds where face-fixing is preferred, or in the case of a projecting solid step or Gill trimmed back to flush where face-fixing is preferred.

Referring to the drawings, in a first method of high-performance barrierto-building connection and sealing means shown in Figures 1-4, Figure 1 shows a bolt 1, having a washer 2, seat 3, and circlip 4 so as to retain the bolt within the barrier, arranged in a hole drilled through the barrier. The extent of overlap between the channel 5 and the panel 6 is such as to accommodate the seat within the side of the channel and for the stresses within the barrier resulting from torqueing-up the bolt into the frame 7 to be distributed into, and shared by, the washer, the seat, and the main panel structure including the structural foam and/or liner within the panel (where provided). A spacer 8 having the shape of a bobbin and separating the opposing walls of the ribs (and the liner where provided), plays a critical role in assisting such stress distribution within the lightweight structure and in preventing stress spikes causing deformation of the barrier from point-loading at the fixings

- 6 into the frame.

The side of the channel opposite the head of the bolt may have parallel outward-

facing tongues 12 integrally formed on the closing face or bonded to the closing face of the channel or panel in the form of a second smaller channel so as to provide a matrix for the fitting, retention and protection of the fixed seals 9 whilst the barrier is both in use and in standby mode, and the inside face of each tongue may be provided with a continuous lip 10 to prevent the edges of the seals from lifting once the seals have been inserted. The use of mitred joints at the junctions between lengths of channel allows continuity of both tongues and lips as the channel translates through the angle at each joint so as to maintain the essential continuity of the seals, and the continuity of their sealing action around the panel perimeter. Materials for the bolt and the circlip may be metal, and for the washer, seat, spacer, frame, and optional smaller channel may be metal or plastics. Any metal components would need to be of a non-rusting or corroding type, or be permanently coated or encapsulated to avoid such effects.

The seals may have a plurality of continuous linear compressible sections which may be tubular and running in parallel along the length of the seals, the sections being replicated across the width of a carrier strip which may be formed integrally with the sections so as to provide multiple defences against the passage of floodwater under pressure across the seals between the outer (wet) tongue and the inner (dry) tongue. The sections are arranged within the strip so as to accept the bolt without interrupting the linear continuity of the sections, and the hole in the strip to accommodate the bolt is made undersize so as to retain the strip sealably in contact with the shank of the bolt and prevent the permeation of floodwater via the hole in the barrier. Any floodwater breaching the hole in the carrier strip will be prevented from permeating further by those compressible sections existing between the bolt and the inner tongue.

The seals may be bonded into the channel using a suitable waterproof bonding agent or affixed using double-sided adhesive tape, in either case so as to enable the seals to be stripped out and replaced easily, as and when required.

- 7 Alternatively, more-durable seals may be extruded with the channel, or welded or bonded thereto using a permanent waterproof bonding agent, so as to be an integral part thereof and not to require periodic replacement. Seals affixed in any of these ways may also be permanently bonded together at the mitred joints, or welded at such joints so as to form a continuous gasket. Materials for the seals may be plastics, rubber, or synthetic rubber for example neoprene, or EPDM, and a permanent waterproof bonding agent may be such as epoxy resin.

The tongues have other important functions whilst the barrier is in use. When located on reciprocal shoulders 11 on the frame as the bolt is tightened, the tongues prevent dislocation of the barrier, tampering with the seals or accidental damage thereto, and protect the seals from exposure to climatic effects, overcompression, uneven compression, and leakage. These components together with the frame, provide important elements in the distribution of stresses arising from the fixing of the barrier to the building, and provide a key role in avoiding deformation of the complementary sealing surfaces on the barrier and the frame in the event of overtightening, or uneven tightening, of the bolts.

Further stresses within the barrier result from differential thermal movement between the barrier and the frame arising from a predetermined temperature range of around 30 degrees Centigrade between likely nighttime (minimum) and daytime (maximum) temperatures, differential exposure to temperature change between the barrier and the more sheltered frame, and perhaps Different materials. Expansion and contraction stresses of significant value will be most evident in the directions represented by the height and length of the barrier, and mainly in the length, particularly in barriers of extended length. Any design must make provision for this.

As shown in Figure 1, the hole formed through the barrier to accommodate the bolt may be drilled oversize to accept thermal movement of the barrier around the area of more limited thermal movement described by the bolt, the hole through the seat may be similarly oversized, and separation is arranged between the inward-

facing sides of the tongues and their respective counterparts on the shoulders of the frame, all so as to allow the significant thermal movement in the vertical and horizontal planes.

- 8 To assist this process, materials for the touching surfaces requiring to move due to temperature change relative to one another, for example the seat, the tongues and the channel, might be selected from those with a high slip coefficient, and/or such surfaces might be maintained in a lubricated condition, and a torque wrench may be supplied both to control the pressure applied between these surfaces and to limit the possibility of stress effects due to overcompression, and uneven compression, hereinbefore described. Lubrication may also be applied to the voids surrounding the bolts as an additional defence to that provided by the seals against floodwater permeation via this route. Bolt fixing means is naturally replicated at positions around the periphery of the panel on at least three sides, and a larger number of less highly-torqued bolts is clearly to be preferred in terms of facilitating differential thermal movement.

The planar sealing surface 15 of the frame 7 would be easily distorted if the frame were to be attached to the irregular surface of the building by point-fixing. To avoid this, the frame has a tongue 13 inserted into a continuous groove cut into the face of the building around the panel periphery and the tongue is bonded into the groove using a waterproof bonding agent such as epoxy resin 14. The tongue and the bonding agent stiffen the frame structure and allow the sealing surface of the frame to bridge between high and low spots in the face of the building without deflection or torsion, and prevent floodwater from passing between the frame and the building without resorting to chemical sealants or mastic which are unreliable in bridging large gaps, are not formulated to work under watery and in any event have a limited life expectancy. Since the tongue is not visible when anchored into the building, only the sealing surface remains to be seen when the barrier is not in use, and the sealing surface may itself be optionally recessed into the face of the building all so as to provide a neat and unobtrusive finish.

The tongue has other important functions too. By increasing the surface area of the frame, the tongue proportionally increases the adhesion available between the frame and the building, improving security of fixing. By bedding the tongue substantially into the building structure, resistance of the barrier and the frame to impact (from waterborne debris for example) is significantly increased, particularly to impact affecting the vertical ends of the barrier. By attaching the frame uniformly to the building by bonding, the more-efficient transfer of stresses from lightweight

- - 9 - barrier to massive building is enabled, again so as to limit the effects of impact or imposed load.

Also important is the function of the tongue in ensuring the exclusion of floodwater over a protracted period of time. Areas immediately surrounding apertures and openings in the building structure are characterized by cracks and gaps caused by stress fracture, differential movement, poor construction, weathering of materials etc., and in particular the joint between the building structure and the door frame, window frame, or other element inserted into the aperture is not intended to withstand immersion and would be especially difficult to make so. All these features provide ready routes for the passage of floodwater under pressure into the building interior, even when a reliable floodwater barrier is attached to the element within the aperture. With the frame 7 face-fixed however, and with the tongue 13 able to enclose an area making up the face of the building around an aperture, cracks, gaps and joints may be encapsulated within the enclosure protected by the barrier, and physically sealed against the entry of floodwater whilst the barrier is in place.

Ultimately, the porosity of the material making up the face of the building will, after a period of time, allow some moisture to permeate into the building interior via capillary action/osmosis, affecting electrical installations for example, plasterwork and interior decorations which are expensive elements worthwhile protecting, and very disruptive to renew. The tongue has an important role to play here also. By stopping-up the line of least resistance across the a,ngle formed by the building structure returning into the aperture, the tongue prevents the permeation of moisture into the building interior for a protracted period of time likely to considerably exceed the duration of any anticipated flooding event.

The tongue may be such as to provide the frame with a generally 'L' shaped cross-

section, a generally 'T' shaped cross-section, or a generally MU' shaped cross-

section, and the sealing surface may have its underside bonded directly to the building, or the sealing surface may have its underside raised off the face of the building so as to enable the barrier to clear apertures having raised elements projecting forward from such face. In such circumstances the tongue may be deeper and perhaps thicker so as to support the raised sealing surface, or the sealing surface may take up the outward-facing side of a rectangular hollow

- 10 section of appropriate overall dimensions and the tongue may be sealably attached in any position along the opposite inward-facing side or be an integral part thereof.

Materials for the frame including the tongue may be metal or plastics, and the waterproof bonding agent may be epoxy resin or the like. Again, any metal components would need to be of a non-rusting or corroding type, or be permanently coated or encapsulated to avoid such effects.

Figures 2-4 illustrate three configurations. In the first configuration shown in Figure 2, a projecting solid step or Gill 1, is accommodated by cutting a groove for the tongue 13 into the face 2 of the building on at least three sides of the opening 3 using a disc-cutter or angle grinder, the bottom of the lowermost groove aligning with the level of the uppermost surface 4 of the step or cill on either side of the opening, such that when the frame is offered up into the grooves which may have been precoated with waterproof bonding agent, its lowermost surface rests on the uppermost surface of the step or Gill, and may be bonded and/or fixed mechanically thereto using screws or bolts torqued-up through holes in the frame into expanding sockets, and the lowermost member 5 of the frame may be sealably incorporated into that step by installing between such member and the threshold to any door a waterproof self-levelling screed 6 with a suitable wearing surface 7.

Where the step is worn, the lowermost member may be fixed to the step mechanically using sleeves or spacers cut to fill the separation between the upperside of the step and the underside of the member and inserted around the bolts or screws. Optionally, a flexible wearing surface of appropriate depth may be cut to fit onto any screed or direct onto the step, and extend over the frame onto the front 8 of the step so as to protect the horizontal member from wear and tear, provide an arris or nosing to the front of the new step level, and be removable when flood conditions threaten. A suitable wearing surface may be such as a frost

- 11 proof quarry tile or a granolithic screed, and the flexible wearing surface may be manufactured from rubber or plastics material, either of which may be recycled.

in the second configuration shown in Figure 3, the entire frame is recessfixed into an opening and bonded and/or fixed mechanically using techniques and step make-up arrangements described for the first configuration. A projecting solid step or Gill 1 is shown in Figure 3, but equally the same method may be used in the case of a flush solid step or Gill, or flush surrounds.

In the third configuration shown in Figure 4, the entire frame is facefixed across an opening and bonded into the face of the building using techniques described for the first configuration, but without any requirement for the step make-up arrangements set out therein. This configuration is to be preferred in terms of form and function, and may take the place of the first and second configurations where the step or Gill 9 is trimmed back flush with the face 2 of the building, when this is both practical and desirable. As in the first configuration, a flexible wearing surface of appropriate depth may be cut to fit direct onto the step, or onto a thin screed in the case of a worn step the surface of which has been regulated by screeding. The flexible wearing surface may extend over the frame onto the front 8 of the step so as to protect the horizontal member from wear and tear, provide a forward projection of the step where this is considered appropriate and desirable, and be removable when flood conditions threaten.

Bringing the barrier into operation from a standby/storage position is designed to be quick and simple (1) offering the barrier up to the frame easily locates the tongues on the barrier with the shoulders on the frame; (2) rotating randomly selected bolts with a motorised torque-wrench enables the chamfered ends of the bolts the find the chamfered entrances to the holes in the frame, and all the bolts to be torqued-up to a predetermined intermediate torque setting; (3) the bolts are randomly torqued-up to the final predetermined torque setting.

- 12 Two-stage random torquing using a torque-wrench avoids overstressing parts of the barrier unnecessarily whilst allowing the seals to be compressed properly and uniformly, at the same time as controlling contact pressure between touching surfaces and facilitating limited slip caused by thermal cycling. The use of controlled pressure uniformly applied will allow comparatively light torque settings to be specified and thereby extend the useful life expectancy of both barriers and seals. The bolt head, andJor the seat, may be specially configured to only accept the socket on the torque-wrench thereby preventing overcompression, uneven compression, distortion, and leakage associated with the use of conventional tools.

The specification of a waterproof bonding agent such as epoxy resin is also

significant in maintaining operational values. Epoxy resin provides a permanent waterproof seal between frame and building, but the material is sufficiently thermoplastic in nature so as to permit thermal cycling of the frame relative to the face of the building without material loss of bonding, and the space between the tongue and the groove is so arranged as to accommodate such movement without distortion of the sealing surfaces. In less stressful flood environments, and particularly where the face of the building in contact with the frame has been regulated by grinding so as to provide a continuous planar surface free from irregularities, the tongue on the frame may be optionally dispensed with and the adhesion of the epoxy resin between the frame and the face of the building relied upon, with or without point fixing, for bonding, sealing and thermal cycling purposes. Where the sealing surface is wholly or partly recessed so as to enable regulation of the face of the building with or without the functions of the tongue on the frame, an increase in the width of such recess may be made to accommodate thermal cycling of the frame relative to the building and such additional space as may be made may be filled with epoxy resin for additional security.

Claims

- 13 CLAIMS

(1) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means having a frame which bounds an external aperture of a building on at least three sides, the frame being provided with a continuous planar sealing surface able to locate between continuous projecting tongues moulded on the barrier or sealably attached thereto, the tongues holding continuous compressible seals therebetween and ensuring proper engagement between barrier and frame, and the frame itself being optionally provided with a continuous tongue sealably attached to the sealing surface or being an integral part thereof such that when the tongue is inserted into a reciprocal groove cut into the face of the building and bonded into the groove using a waterproof bonding agent and the barrier is held in compression against the complementary sealing surface on the frame, there is no distortion of the sealing surfaces and floodwater is unable to pass between the frame and the barrier, between the frame and the building, or permeate through the material forming the face of the building and thence into the aperture, thereby preventing floodwater from entering the building via the aperture or the enclosed area around it for a protracted period of time at least as long as flood conditions shall last., (2) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-buildirig connection and sealing means as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tongue and the waterproof bonding

agent stiffen the frame structure and allow the sealing surface of the frame to bridge between high and low spots in the face of the building without deflection or torsion, and prevent floodwater from passing between the frame and the building without resorting to chemical sealants or mastic which are unreliable in bridging large gaps, are not formulated to work under water, and in any event have a limited life expectancy. (3) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, in which the tongue is not visible when

- 14 anchored into the building, only the sealing surface remains to be seen when the barrier is not in use, and the sealing surface may itself be optionally recessed into the face of the building all so as to minimise the visual impact of the frame and provide a neat and unobtrusive finish.

(4) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-3, in which the tongue increases the surface area of the frame, thereby proportionally increasing the adhesion available between the frame and the building, and therefore improving security of fixing.

(5) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-4, in which by bedding the tongue substantially into the building structure, resistance of the barrier and the frame to impact (from waterborne debris for example) is significantly increased, particularly to impact affecting the vertical ends of the barrier.

(6) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-5, in which by attaching the frame and tongue uniformly to the building by bonding, the more-efficient transfer of stresses from lightweight barrier to massive building is enabled, again so as to limit the effects of impact or imposed load.

(7) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-6, in which the frame and tongue may encapsulate areas immediately surrounding apertures and openings in the building structure characterized by cracks and gaps caused by stress fracture, differential movement, poor construction, weathering of materials etc., and also encapsulate the joint between the building structure and the door frame, window frame or other element inserted into the aperture, so as to physically seal against the entry of floodwater via these routes whilst the barrier is in place.

(8) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-7, in which by stopping-up the line of least resistance across the angle formed by the building structure returning into the aperture, the tongue prevents the eventual permeation of moisture into the building

- 1 5 interior via capillary action/osmosis etc for a protracted period of time likely to considerably exceed the duration of any anticipated flooding event.

(9) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-8, in which the tongue may be such as to provide the frame with a generally 'L' shaped cross-section, a generally 'T' shaped cross-

section, or a generally 'U' shaped cross-section, and the sealing surface may have its underside bonded directly to the building, or the sealing surface may have its underside raised off the face of the building so as to enable the barrier to clear apertures having raised elements projecting forward from such face.

(10) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claim 9, in which the tongue may be deeper and perhaps thicker so as to support the raised sealing surface, or the sealing surface may take up the outward-facing side of a rectangular hollow section of appropriate overall dimensions and the tongue may be sealably attached in any position along the opposite inward-facing side or be an integral part thereof.

(1 1) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1^10, in which the frame may be installed across an opening having a projecting solid step or cill by cutting a groove into the face of the building on at least three sides of the opening using a disc-cutter or angle grinder, the bottom of the lowermost groove aligning with the, level of the uppermost surface of the step or cili on either side of the opening, such that when the frame is offered up into the grooves which may have been precoated with waterproof bonding agent, its lowermost surface rests on the uppermost surface of the step or Gill, and may be bonded and/or fixed mechanically thereto using screws or bolts torqued-up into expanding sockets through holes in the frame, and the lowermost member of the frame may be sealably incorporated into that step by installing between such member and the threshold to any door a waterproof self-levelling screed with a suitable wearing surface.

(12) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-10, in which the entire frame may be recess-fixed into an opening and bonded and/or fixed mechanically thereto using screws or

- 16 bolts torqued-up into expanding sockets through holes in the frame, the lowermost member of the frame being optionally sealably incorporated into that step by installing between such member and the threshold to any door a waterproof self-

levelling screed with a suitable wearing surface, and the tongue may itself be optionally recessed into the face of the building all so as to minimise the visual impact of the frame and provide a neat and unobtrusive finish.

(13) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to^building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-10, in which the entire frame may be face-fixed across an opening where there is no step or Gill or where the step or cill is trimmed back flush with the face of the building when this is both practical and desirable, such fixing being made by cutting a groove into the face of the building on at least three sides of the opening using a disc-cutter or angle grinder, and offering up the frame into the grooves which may have been precoated with waterproof bonding agent. (14) A high-peRormance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 11 and 12, in which where the step is worn, the horizontal member of the frame may be fixed to the step mechanically using sleeves or spacers cut to fill the separation between the upperside of the step and the underside of the member such that the sleeves or spacers may be inserted around the bolts or screws, and the member may be sealably incorporated into that step by installing between such member and th,e threshold to any door a waterproof self-levelling screed with a suitable wearing surface.

(15) A high-perFormance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-14, in which a flexible wearing surface may be cut to fit onto any screed or direct onto the step and be of such thickness so as to extend over the frame onto the front of the step thereby to protect the horizontal member from wear and tear, provide an arris or nosing to the front of the new step level, and be removable when flood conditions threaten.

(16) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-15, in which a waterproof bonding agent such as epoxy resin may be used to provide a high level of adhesion between frame and

i - 17 building and a permanent waterproof seal therebetween, whilst at the same time providing sufficient thermoplasticity so as to permit thermal cycling of the frame relative to the face of the building without material loss of bonding or sealing, and where the space between the tongue and the groove is so arranged as to accommodate thermal movement without distortion of the sealing surfaces.

(17) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-16, in which the tongue on the frame may be optionally dispensed with and the adhesion of the epoxy resin between the frame and the face of the building relied upon, with or without point fixing, for bonding, sealing and thermal cycling purposes, particularly in less stressful flood environments, and particularly where the face of the building in contact with the frame has been regulated by grinding or rebating so as to provide a continuous planar surface free from irregularities.

(18) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-17, in which the frame, with or without the tongue, may be wholly or partly recessed into the face of the building so as to enable regulation of such face to provide a continuous planar surface free from irregularities, and in which an increase in the width of such recess may be made to accommodate thermal cycling of the frame relative to the building, arid for such additional space as may be made to be filled with epoxy resin or similar bonding agent for additional security., (19) A high-performance floodwater barrier to- building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 1-18, having a process for bringing the barrier into operation from a standby/storage position designed to be quick and simple (1) offering the barrier up to the frame easily locates the tongues on the barrier with the shoulders on the frame; (2) rotating randomly selected bolts with a motorised torque- wrench enables the chamfered ends of the bolts the find the chamfered entrances to the holes in the frame' and all the bolts to be torqued-up to a predetermined intermediate torque setting;

- - 18 (3) the bolts are randomly torqued-up again to the final predetermined torque setting. (20) A high-performance floodwater barrierto-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claim 19, in which two-stage random torquing using a torque-wrench enables accurate control over contact pressure between touching surfaces, facilitates limited slip caused by thermal cycling, and allows comparatively light torque settings to be specified thereby extending the useful life expectancy of both barriers and seals.

(21) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-building connection and sealing means as claimed in Claims 19-20, in which the bolt head, and/or the seat, may be specially configured to only accept the socket on the torque-wrench thereby preventing overcompression, uneven compression, distortion, and leakage associated with the use of alternative tools.

(22) A high-performance floodwater barrier-to-buliding connection and sealing means substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.