GB2389869A

GB2389869A - Flood barrier system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2389869A
Application number: GB0213881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Attilio Sorbera
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-17
Filing date: 2002-06-17
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: GB0213881D0

Abstract

A flood barrier system 10 comprises at least one base element 12, posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and water resistant panels. The base element(s) 12 is/are permanently fixed into the ground and the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are removably attachable to the base element(s) 12. When attached to the base element(s) 12, the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are spaced from each other and extend generally vertically. The panels are removably attachable between adjacent pairs of posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. Attachment means are provided for removably attaching the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 to the base element(s) 12 and the panels to the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 in a leakproof manner. The attachment means may comprise apertures in the posts, panels and base element(s) and fasteners. Posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 may be coupled to a wall of a building by side elements for example to provide a barrier around an aperture in the wall. Also disclosed are covers for airbricks and windows.

Description

Flood Protection System and Method This invention relates to a system and

method for providing protection against s flooding, particularly, though not exclusively, to such a system which can be easily erected and dismantled before and after flood alerts.

As is well known, global warming is a phenomenon that is affecting the climate.

In particular, there appears to be an increase in the amount of flooding that 10 occurs, especially from rivers and streams, as they are subjected to sudden increased levels and burst their banks. Furthermore, as the population increases and the number of houses being built increases, there is pressure on land use and more and more houses are being built on flood plains, where they are exposed to the dangers of flooding.

Although flood warning systems are in place and are improving to provide an increased level of warning of floods occurring, nevertheless, unless expensive constructions are built to try to effectively increase the height of a river's banks, there is little that owners of buildings at risk of being flooded can do other than 20 position some sand bags around the building to try to prevent ingress of water.

If the flood warnings are severe, they often then need to evacuate the area and hope for the best. Of course, building up river banks is an expensive proposition and is often not carried out due to economic factors.

25 The present invention therefore seeks to provide a system and method for providing substantial protection against flooding which can be easily erected and dismantled before and after flood alerts.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a system for providing 30 substantial protection against flooding, the system comprising: at least one base element for fixing permanently into the ground at a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood; a plurality of posts for attachment to the base element or elements, the posts being spaced from each other and extending generally upright from the base element(s) when attached thereto and 35 being detachable from the base element(s) when not in use; a plurality of water resistant panels for removable attachment between adjacent pairs of posts in a leakproof manner to provide the barrier against a flood; attachment means for

- 2 rernovably attaching the posts to the base element(s) and the panels to the posts in a leakproof manner.

Preferably, said attachment means includes a plurality of apertures in the posts, 5 panels and base element(s) and a plurality of fasteners for passing through cooperating apertures on the posts, panels and base element(s).

Preferably, said fasteners comprise at least partly threaded bolts for cooperation with nuts or threads on at least some of the cooperating apertures.

Preferably, said posts are shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

More preferably, said posts comprise at least one generally flat longitudinal 15 element having said apertures therein, said posts being arranged such that, when they are attached to the base element, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

20 Preferably, said base element(s) is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

More preferably, said base element(s) comprises at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said base element(s) being 25 arranged such that, when it is permanently fixed into the ground, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

Preferably, at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a framework, at 30 least part of the framework including said apertures, and a water resistant barrier sheet supported on the framework in a leakproof manner.

Preferably, said framework of said water resistant panel is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected 35 flood.

More preferably, said framework of said water resistant panels comprises at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said

framework of said water resistant panels being arranged such that, when it is permanently fixed to the wall of the building, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

Preferably, said system further comprises at least one strengthening bar for fastening between a pair of adjacent posts to provide extra support for a water I resistant panel against pressure from water on a flood side of the barrier.

10 More preferably, said base element(s) includes a cavity therein for storing a post therein when the post is not attached upright to the base element to form the flood barrier.

Preferably the system comprises at least one side element for fixing 15 permanently to a wall of the building at a location where it is desired to provide the barrier, and attachment means for removably attaching one of the posts to the side element(s) in a leakproof manner.

Preferably, said attachment means includes a plurality of apertures in the side 20 element(s) and a plurality of fasteners for passing through cooperating apertures on the post and side element(s).

Preferably, said side element(s) is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

More preferably, said side element(s) comprise at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said side element(s) being arranged such that, when it is attached to the post, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the 30 flood side of the barrier.

Preferably, the system further comprises a cover for attachment to the tops of; the posts and side element(s) to minimize rainfall into the enclosed area.

35 Preferably, the system further comprises at least one air brick cover for attachment to an air brick in the wall of the building to minimise water entering the building through the air brick.

More preferably said air brick cover comprises an air brick frame for permanently mounting to a wall of the building around an air brick, and an air brick panel for removably mounting to the air brick frame in a leakproof manner.

5 Preferably, the system comprises at least one window cover for covering at least part of a window of the building to minimise water entering the building through the window.

More preferably, said window cover comprises a window frame for permanently 10 mounting to a wall of the building around at least part of the window, and a window panel for removably mounting to the window frame in a leakproof manner. Preferably, one of said water resistant panels is a door panel and one pair of 15 said posts is provided with door fastening means for removable attachment of said door panel such that the door panel can hingedly swing about one of the pair of posts and be latched to the other of the pair of posts when there is no flood, but can be attached to the pair of posts in a leakproof manner when a flood is imminent.

Preferably, the system provides means for forming a flood barrier to extend longitudinally along a river bank and wherein said base element(s) can be permanently fixed into the river bank.

25 Preferably, at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a sheet of plastics material having said apertures at side edges thereof for attachment to said posts, and wherein top and bottom edges of the sheet having one or more chambers therewithin extending along the top and bottom edges thereof for receiving a liquid therein to provide stability of the panel against pressure of a 30 flood.

More preferably, said sheet is formed of nylon material coated with a water resistant material on one side thereof and welded together to provide the chambers. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of construction of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding, the method comprising the steps of attaching a plurality of supporting

- s - means to a base element in a generally upright manner from the base element, the base element having been previously fixed into the ground at a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood, the supporting means being detachable from the base element when not in use, and attaching a 5 barrier device to the supporting means in a leak proof manner to provide the barrier against the flood, the barrier device being detachable from the supporting means when not in use.

Preferably, the base element is adapted to provide means to accommodate a 10 supporting means therein.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of construction of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding, the method comprising the steps of fixing at least one base element permanently 15 into the ground at a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood, attaching a plurality of posts to the base element or elements so as to be spaced from each other and extend generally upright from the base element(s), and attaching a plurality of water resistant panels between adjacent pairs of posts in a leakproof manner to provide the barrier against a flood.

According to one preferred embodiment, the method the method described above is used for forming a flood barrier to enclose an area adjacent a door of a building and further comprises the step of fixing at least one side element permanently to a wall of the building at a location where it is desired to provide 25 the barrier, and removably attaching one of the posts to the side element(s) in a leakproof manner.

According to another preferred embodiment, the method described above is used for forming a flood barrier to extend longitudinally along a river bank and 30 wherein said base element(s) is permanently fixed into the river bank.

Preferably, at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a sheet of plastics material having apertures at side edges thereof for attachment to said posts, and wherein top and bottom edges of the sheet has one or more 35 chambers therewithin extending along the top and bottom edges thereof for receiving a liquid therein to provide stability of the panel against pressure of a flood, the method further comprising the step of substantially filling at least one of the chambers with liquid after the sheet has been attached to the posts.

- 6 Embodiments of the invention will now be more fully described, by way of 5 example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding according to one embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of parts utilized in the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of parts also utilized in the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the parts of Figure 3 assembled; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of means for providing substantial protection against flooding according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the system of Figure 1 according to a third 20 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 25 Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of parts utilized in the system of Figure 7.

Thus, as shown in Figure 1, a system 10 for providing substantial protection against flooding is shown in a partially constructed manner. The system 10 comprises at least one base element 12 mounted upon an underground 30 foundation 14, such as a concrete underground foundation. The system 10 is in a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood, for example, adjacent a door 18 of a building 19. The base element 12 is fixed to the underground foundation 14 by way of any suitable fixing means known in the art in order to provide a fluid tight seal between the base element 12 and the 35 underground foundation 14.

A plurality of posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 are coupled at a first end in an upright manner to the base element 12 by way of attachment means 16 and

( - 7 spaced from each other. The attachment means 16 comprise a plurality of cooperating apertures in the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 and base element 12 together with a plurality of fasteners such as partly threaded bolts for cooperation with nuts or threads on at least some of the apertures so as to 5 provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the base element 12 and the first end of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 mounted thereupon. It should be appreciated that although the attachment means 16 facilitate the coupling of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 to the base element 12, the attachment means 16 also facilitate the removal of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 from the IO base element 12 when the system 10 is to be dismantled. Following the dismantle of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30, each post 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 can be stored within a cavity disposed within the base element 12 until needed. Coupled to and disposed between the adjacent posts 22, 24 and 26, 28 is a strengthening bar 29 described in more detail in Figure 3.

A pair of posts 20, 30 are also coupled to the building 19 by way of a pair of side elements (not shown) fixed to the building 19 at the location where it is desired to provide the barrier against the flood. The side elements are fixed to the building 19 by way of any suitable fixing means known in the art in order to 20 provide a fluid tight seal between the side elements and the building 19. The pair of posts 20, 30 are attached to the side elements also by way of attachment means 16 which provide a fluid tight seal between the posts 20, 30 and the side elements. Again it should be appreciated that although the attachment means 16 facilitate the coupling of the posts 20, 30 to the side elements, the 25 attachment means 12 also facilitate the removal of the posts 20, 30 from the side elements when the system 10 is to be dismantled.

As best shown in Figure 2, the post 24 comprises a pair of post hinges 34 and an array of apertures 32 disposed along its length. A water resistant door panel 30 36 manufactured from, for example, sheet metal comprises an array of I apertures disposed along its outer rim or framework and handle means 40 disposed on the face of the door panel 36. The door panel 36 further comprises a pair of door hinges 42. A door panel gasket 44 manufactured from, for example, neoprene rubber, comprises an array of apertures 46 disposed along 35 its outer rim.

A water resistant panel 48 manufactured from, for example, sheet metal or plastics comprises an array of apertures 50 disposed along its outer rim or

- 8 framework. A panel gasket 52 manufactured from, for example, rubber, comprises an array of apertures disposed along its outer rim. A water resistant air brick panel 56 manufactured from, for example, sheet metal or plastics material comprises apertures 58 disposed on each of its four corners.

In order to complete construction of the system 10 of Figure 1, four water resistant panels 48 are inserted in the spaces of the adjacent posts 20 and 22; 22 and 24; 26 and 28; 28 and 30 respectively. The water resistant door panel 36 is inserted between the adjacent posts 24 and 26.

The water resistant panels 14 are coupled to their respective posts and the water resistant door panel 36 is coupled to the posts 24, 26 by attachment i means 16.

15 The door panel gasket 44 is sandwiched between the outer rim of the door panel 36 comprising the array of the apertures 38 and the array of apertures disposed along the length of the adjacent posts 24, 26. Correspondingly, each i water resistant panel 14 has a panel gasket 52 sandwiched between the outer rim of the water resistant panel 14 and the array of apertures disposed along 20 the length of the adjacent posts the water resistant panel 48 is coupled to. It should be appreciated that although the attachment means 16 facilitate the coupling of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 to water resistant panels 48, and the coupling of posts 24, 26 to the water resistant door panel 48; the attachment means 12 also facilitate the removal of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 from 25 panels 36, 48 when the system 10 is to be dismantled.

It may be a requirement to prevent rain entering the enclosed area defined by the constructed system 10 through the top of the system 10. A cover (not shown) can be provided having dimensions substantially equal to the shape 3() defined by the system 10. The cover can be attached (for example, using suitable attachment means 16) to the free ends of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 1 and 30 to obviate or at least mitigate rainfall into the enclosed area of the system 10.

An air brick 60 disposed within the building 19 can comprise means (not shown) to accommodate the water resistant air brick panel 56 such as an air brick frame for permanently mounting to the building 19. The frame may include attachment; means 16 in order to provide a fluid tight seal between the air brick 60 and the

- - panel 56. Again it should be appreciated that the attachment means 16 provide a removable attachment between the water resistant air brick panel 56 and the air brick 60 to facilitate the removal of the panel 56 in times of no flooding.

5 Following construction of the system 10, it may be preferable, in the absence of a flood but in the presence of, for example, a flood warning to maintain construction if the system 10 whilst gaining entry and exit to the building 19. In this case, the door panel 36 can be uncoupled from the adjacent posts 24, 26 whilst maintaining a hinged connection between the door hinges 42 and the post lO hinges 34. The door panel 36 may comprise a latch (not shown) on the side opposite the door hinges 34. In this way, access can be readily gained from outside the system 10 into the building 19 without compromising risks associated with a potential flash flood because the door panel 36 can be readily secured to the adjacent posts 24, 26 thereby completing construction of the 15 system 10.

Referring to Figure 3, the strengthening bar 29 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an aperture 101 disposed at each of its ends. A post 100 comprises a plurality of hooks 102 for accommodating the aperture 101 at the ends of the 2() strengthening bar 29. Should flooding occur and the water resistant panel 48 or the water resistant door panel 36 require additional support, the strengthening bar 29 can be arranged as illustrated in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 4, an array of strengthening bars 110 are coupled to the hooks 102 of the post 100 and an adjacent post 112. Figure 4 is a view from the inside of the 25 system 10 towards, for example, the space between the adjacent posts 100, 102 which, when in use, accommodate the water resistant door panel 36 and the door panel gasket 44 (not shown in Figure 4 for clarity purposes).

Referring to Figure 5, means 120 providing a cover 122 for a window comprise a 30 window frame 124 for permanently mounting to a wall of the building 19 around at least part of the window. The cover 122 can be coupled to the window frame 124 using the attachment means 16 described above allowing attachment and removal of the cover 122 when not in use.

35 Referring to Figure 6, a top view of a section of a system 10 for providing substantial protection against flooding comprises a first, second and third post 150, 152 and 154 respectively, in a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood, for example, adjacent the door 18 of the building 19.

- 10 The first, second and third posts 150, 152, 154 comprise a shape such that all the apertures 156 therein are on a dry side of the barrier with respect to the flood in contrast to the apertures 32 of the posts 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 illustrated in Figure 1, which face the flood. The apertures 156 are disposed S within a generally longitudinal element 158 that projects from the first, second and third posts 150, 152 and 154 towards the dry side of the system 10. The first post 150 is coupled to the building 19 by way of a side element 160 using attachment means 16 as described above in relation to Figure 1.

10 In order to couple the water resistant panels 48 and/or the water resistant door panel 36 to the posts 150, 152, the panels 36, 48 also comprise a generally longitudinal element 158 projecting from the panel 36, 48 towards the dry side of the barrier. The panels 36, 48 are attached to the posts 150, 152 by way of attachment means 16 described above in relation to Figure 1 that comprise 15 corresponding apertures 162. A gasket 164 is sandwiched between the panel 36 and the first and second posts 150, 152; and the first post 150 and the side element 160 in order to obviate or at least mitigate any leakage of fluid between the first and second posts 150,152 and panel 36 and between the first post 150 and the building 160.

Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8, a system 200 for forming a flood barrier to extend longitudinally along a riverbank comprises a first post 202. The first post 202 comprises a substantially square cross-section and is preferably hollow. A base plate 204 projects from an end of the first post 202 and comprises four 25 tabs 206 extending from the base plate 204. Each of the four tabs 204 comprise an aperture 208 for accommodating attachment means (not shown) for attaching an end of a second post 212 thereto in a substantially upright manner. A third post 214 is attached to a separate base plate in a similar manner to the second post 212 and is spaced along the riverbank from the first 30 base plate 204. Disposed within the riverbank is a cavity 210 for receiving the first post 202.

The system 200 is constructed as follows. The cavity 210 is created within the riverbank using any suitable process known in the art, for example, by a drilling 35 device. The first post 202 is inserted into the cavity 210 ensuring that the base plate 204 projects from the cavity 210 and is disposed flush with the river bank on a level ground adapted to provide a firm foundation. The cavity 210 is filled with a filler material 216 around the first post 202, for example, concrete or sand

- 11 or any other suitable material known in the art in order to secure the first post 202 within the cavity 210. The second post 212 is attached to the base plate 204 and a third post 214 is attached to a base plate in a similar manner but 1 spaced along the riverbank form the second post 212. The posts 212, 214 are 5 attached to the base plates 204 using attachment means 16 described previously.! A barrier device 218, for example a welded, nylon sheet coated with polythene or polyethylene is coupled at a first end to the second post 212 and coupled at a 3 10 second end to a third post 214. The barrier device 218 is attached to the posts I 212, 214 using attachment means 16 described previously, arranged at the side edges of the barrier device 218. The barrier device 218 can be welded at its top section 220 and its lower section 222 can comprise a plurality of chambers therein for receiving liquid in order to provide stability against the pressure l 5 exerted by a flood against the barrier device 218. t Should the system 200 be dismantled, following uncoupling of the barrier device 218 from the first post 212 and the second post 214, the second post 212 can be uncoupled from its base plate 204 and inserted within the hollow of the first 20 post 202 within the river bank. It should be appreciated that any number of posts can be used in conjunction with any number of hollow posts for their support and retention following a dismantling of the system 200.

It will be appreciated that although only a few particular embodiments of the 25 invention have been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

! - 12

Claims:

1. A system for providing substantial protection against flooding, the system comprising: 5 at least one base element for fixing permanently into the ground at a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood; a plurality of posts for attachment to the base element or elements, the posts being spaced from each other and extending generally upright from the base element(s) when attached thereto and being detachable from the base 10 element(s) when not in use; a plurality of water resistant panels for removable attachment between adjacent pairs of posts in a leakproof manner to provide the barrier against a flood; attachment means for removably attaching the posts to the base 15 element(s) and the panels to the posts in a leakproof manner.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a plurality of apertures in the posts, panels and base element(s) and a plurality of fasteners for passing through cooperating apertures on the posts, panels and 20 base element(s).

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said fasteners comprise at least partly threaded bolts for cooperation with nuts or threads on at least some of the cooperating apertures.

4. A system according to either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said posts are shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

30 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said posts comprise at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said posts being arranged such that, when they are attached to the base element, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

6. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said base element(s) is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

- 13 7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said base element(s) comprises at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said base element(s) being arranged such that, when it is permanently fixed into 5 the ground, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

8. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a framework, at least part of the 10 framework including said apertures, and a water resistant barrier sheet supported on the framework in a leakproof manner.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said framework of said water resistant panel is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on are on a dry 15 side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said framework of said water resistant panels comprises at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said framework of said water resistant panels 20 being arranged such that, when it is permanently fixed to the wall of the building, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least 25 one strengthening bar for fastening between a pair of adjacent posts to provide extra support for a water resistant panel against pressure from water on a flood side of the barrier.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said base 30 element(s) includes a cavity therein for storing a post therein when the post is not attached upright to the base element to form the flood barrier.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, for forming a flood barrier to enclose an area adjacent a door of a building and further comprising at least 35 one side element for fixing permanently to a wall of the building at a location where it is desired to provide the barrier, and attachment means for removably attaching one of the posts to the side element(s) in a leakproof manner.

( - 14

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said attachment means includes a plurality of apertures in the side element(s) and a plurality of fasteners for passing through cooperating apertures on the post and side element(s).

S 15. A system according to either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said side element(s) is shaped so that all the apertures therein are on a dry side of the barrier opposite to an expected flood.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said side element(s) comprises 10 at least one generally flat longitudinal element having said apertures therein, said side element(s) being arranged such that, when it is attached to the post, the flat longitudinal element extends towards the dry side of the barrier and there are no apertures facing the flood side of the barrier.

Is 17. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a cover for attachment to the tops of the posts and side element(s) to minimize rainfall into the enclosed area.

18. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising at 20 least one air brick cover for attachment to an air brick in the wall of the building to minimise water entering the building through the air brick.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said air brick cover comprises an air brick frame for permanently mounting to a wall of the building around an 25 air brick, and an air brick panel for removably mounting to the air brick frame in a leakproof manner.

20. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising at least one window cover for covering at least part of a window of the building to 30 minimise water entering the building through the window.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said window cover comprises a window frame for permanently mounting to a wall of the building around at least part of the window, and a window panel for removably mounting to the window 35 frame in a leakproof manner.

22. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein one of said water resistant panels is a door panel and one pair of said posts is provided with door

( - 15 fastening means for removable attachment of said door panel such that the door panel can hingedly swing about one of the pair of posts and be latched to the other of the pair of posts when there is no flood, but can be attached to the pair of posts in a leakproof manner when a flood is imminent.

23. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for forming a flood barrier to extend longitudinally along a river bank and wherein said base element(s) can be permanently fixed into the river bank.

JO 24. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a sheet of plastics material having said apertures at side edges thereof for attachment to said posts, and wherein top and bottom edges of the sheet having one or more chambers therewithin extending along the top and bottom edges thereof for receiving a liquid therein 15 to provide stability of the panel against pressure of a flood.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said sheet is formed of nylon material coated with a water resistant material on at least one side thereof and welded together to provide the chambers.

26. A method of construction of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a plurality of supporting means to a base element in a generally upright manner from the base element, the base element having been 25 previously fixed into the ground at a location where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood, the supporting means being detachable from the base element when not in use; and attaching a barrier device to the supporting means in a leak proof manner to provide the barrier against the flood, the barrier device being detachable from 30 the supporting means when not in use.

27. A method of construction of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding, the method comprising the steps of: fixing at least one base element permanently into the ground at a location 35 where it is desired to provide a barrier against a flood; attaching a plurality of posts to the base element or elements so as to be spaced from each other and extend generally upright from the base element(s);

- 16 attaching a plurality of water resistant panels between adjacent pairs of posts in a leakproof manner to provide the barrier against a flood.

28. A method of construction of a system according to claim 27, for forming a 5 flood barrier to enclose an area adjacent a door of a building and further comprising the step of: fixing at least one side element permanently to a wall of the building at a location where it is desired to provide the barrier, and removably attaching one of the posts to the side element(s) in a leakproof manner.

29. A method of construction of a system according to claim 27, for forming a flood barrier to extend longitudinally along a river bank and wherein said base elements) is permanently fixed into the river bank.

15 30. A method of construction of a system according to claim 29, wherein at least one of said water resistant panels comprises a sheet of plastics material having apertures at side edges thereof for attachment to said posts, and wherein top and bottom edges of the sheet has one or more chambers therewithin extending along the top and bottom edges thereof for receiving a 20 liquid therein to provide stability of the panel against pressure of a flood, the method further comprising the step of substantially filling at leas tone of the chambers with liquid after the sheet has been attached to the posts.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein said sheet is formed of nylon 25 material coated with a water resistant material on at least one side thereof and welded together to provide the chambers.

32. A method of construction of a system according to claim 29, wherein the supporting means is accommodated within the base element when not in use.

33. A system for providing substantial protection against flooding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the Figures 1 to 8. 35 34. A method of construction of a system for providing substantial protection against flooding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the Figures 1 to 8.