GB2392195A

GB2392195A - Flood barrier with access opening

Info

Publication number: GB2392195A
Application number: GB0219580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Walton Poole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-22
Filing date: 2002-08-22
Publication date: 2004-02-25
Also published as: GB0219580D0

Abstract

A flood barrier arrangement 10 has a frame including channel shaped base 18 and sides 16, 20, fitted to the bottom and sides of a doorway. A panel assembly 6 is securely fitted into the frame, and includes an access panel 3 (not shown) which closes a cut out opening at the top of the panel, and allows access through the doorway when removed. The access panel is preferably slidingly fitted into the main panel by means of a grooved gasket 12. The panel preferably slides into position in the frame, and may be made from a plastics material such as High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), may comprise ribs and may be made from two sheets, front and rear. A top rail may be fitted to reinforce the panel against water pressure.

Description

A FLOOD BARRIER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a flood barrier system for an opening, for example a doorway or -similar, of a building to prevent the ingress of flood water into the building. 5 Flooding of buildings is becoming an increasing common problem and can cause significant damage. There is increasingly a desire for owners of buildings in areas at risk form flooding to provide there own means for preventing flooding of the building and to prevent flood water from 10 entering the buildings during a flood.

The walls of a building are to a significant degree (and at least for a significant period) impermeable to flood water and can prevent the ingress of flood water through the walls into the building. Buildings typically however have a 15 number of openings some at a lower level (for example doorways, patio windows, entrances or other windows).

Although such openings are closed for example by doors or window panes they are in general not totally impermeable to flood water and should flood water levels rise above the 20 bottom low level of such openings, flood water can enter a building though such openings. Furthermore if access is required to the buildings, as if often the case, the doorway or opening needs to be opened, which during flood conditions would then allow flood water to enter the building.

25 The conventional approach to preventing flood water entering a building through a doorway or other opening is to place sand bags across the opening and to construct a temporary sand bag wall or barrier to block the entry of flood water through the doorway or opening. Such a sand bag 30 barrier is never however totally impermeable to flood water which can seep through the sand bag barrier. Furthermore constructing a sufficient sand bag barrier is time consuming and due to the weight of the sand bags requires considerable

effort. In addition the storage of sand bags in preparation for any flooding and transportation of the sand bags can present logistical problems.

Due to the problems and disadvantages of such sand bag 5 arrangements, and to prevent flooding of buildings, numerous other proposals have been made to provide removable flood barriers for fitting to doorways or other building openings.

These arrangements typically comprise impermeable panels (for example made from plastic materials) which are lO variously fitted to at least the lower portions of doorways and other low level openings to provide a removable lightweight impermeable barrier to prevent the ingress of water through the doorway or opening. Many of these proposals are however complex both to manufacture and 15 install and are costly to manufacture A number are also impractical. There is therefore a need for a simpler and cheaper flood barrier system.

Furthermore whilst such prior arrangements often provide a suitable barrier across the doorway or opening to 20 prevent the ingress of water, once installed they significantly block and close the doorway or opening preventing and/or restricting personnel access to the building, or if removed to allow personnel access the arrangements then allow flood water to enter the building.

25 This is a particular problem during limited flooding when for example the flood level is only slightly above the bottom of the doorway, whilst the flood barrier panel when installed blocks a large proportion, if not all of the doorway. 30 GB 2,305,453 discloses a flood barrier system comprising a number of thin lateral strip panels which interlock and can be stacked on top of each other and installed within a frame in a doorway to provide a flood barrier. A number of panels are stacked on top of each 35 other, and so the height of the flood barrier in the doorway

can be varied to suit the particular conditions and flood level. Whilst such an arrangement can be tailored to the particular flood conditions and level of the flood water, there are a number of joints between the stacked individual 5 abutting panels which could leak and the arrangement does not fully address the problem of access through the doorway whilst providing a sufficient flood barrier in case of rapidly rising flood levels.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved flood 10 barrier system which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a flood barrier system as described in the accompanying claims. 15 In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a flood barrier system for an opening or doorway of a building. The system comprises a frame including channelled base and lateral side sections which are arranged, in use, to be fitted to the bottom and sides of the opening or 20 doorway. A panel assembly which, in use, is fitted into said frame with side and bottom edges of said panel assembly secured by said respective channelled sections of said frame. The panel assembly comprises an access panel which forms a portion of an upper section of the panel assembly 25 and extends from an upper edge of the panel assembly downwardly part way down the panel assembly. The access panel is adapted to be moveable from said panel assembly to define a cut out opening in the panel assembly.

The access panel allows the system to be fitted into a 30 doorway and to provide a barrier against low level flooding whilst allowing the doorway to be used and personnel access to the building.

The access panel is preferably slidably fitted to said panel assembly with edges of said access panel engaged 35 within sealed grooves in the panel assembly, preferably by

way of a grooved gasket seal.

The panel assembly is arranged to be slidably fitted to the frame.

A top rail which, in use is fitted along and engages 5 the upper edge of the panel assembly. This strengthens the assembly and increases its rigidity.

The panel assembly may be formed of a plastic material, for example from high impact polystyrene sheeting (HIPS).

The panel assembly preferably includes a ribbed or fluted 10 panel. The panel assembly may be fabricated from front and rear substantially overlying panels which are joined together. A seal is preferably provided along and between the channel sections of the frame and respective edges of the 15 panel assembly. The channels in the channelled base and lateral side sections of the frame have a re-entrant cross sectional profile. The seal is fitted to the frame, with at least a portion of the seal engaged within the channel section. Specifically the seal comprises a grooved channel 20 portion within which the edge of the panel assembly engages and a channel engaging portion which cooperatively engages within the channels of the frame.

The present invention will now be described by way of 25 example only with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a flood barrier system according to the present invention installed within a doorway, and with an access panel of the flood barrier 30 system removed to allow access into the building with the barrier installed; Figure 2 is perspective exploded illustrative view of a flood barrier system according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded vertical cross sectional view 35 on A-A of the flood barrier system shown in figure 2, and

additionally showing an optional threshold strip and protective channel capping; Figure 4 shows the panel of the flood barrier system shown in figures 1 to 3; 5 Figure 4a is a cross sectional view along line B-B through the panel shown in figure 4; Figure 4b is an end view on arrow C of the panel shown in figure 4; Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view through 10 a double flood barrier system embodiment of the invention suitable for larger doorways; Figure 5a is a horizontal cross sectional view through an integral central stile for the a double flood barrier system embodiment shown in figure 5; 15 Figure 6 is a more detailed cross sectional view of an alternative seal for the access panel of the flood barrier system; and Figure 7 is a composite cross sectional view showing the flood barrier systems fitted into a doorway, and in 20 schematic form alternative positioning of the flood barrier systems fitted to the doorway.

The flood barrier system lo is fitted to a doorway 1, or other low level opening to a building in order to prevent 25 the ingress of flood water into the building through the doorway 1 or other opening. The flood barrier system 10 when fitted provides a physical barrier blocking off at least a lower portion of the doorway 1 to prevent water flowing through the doorway 1 and entering the building. It will be 30 appreciated that in order to provide flood protection to the building similar corresponding the flood barrier systems are fitted to all the low level doors or openings of a building.

The flood barrier system 10 comprises a mounting frame 14 secured to the doorway 1 and to which, when in use, a 35 panel assembly 2 is secured and fitted with a seal 8 between

the frame 14 and panel assembly 2. The panel assembly 2 is fitted and secured to the frame 14 by sliding the panel assembly 2 vertically into the frame 14 with the edges of the panel assembly 2 and seal 8 thereon engaging and sealing 5 against and within channel sections of the frame 14. The panel assembly 2 is straightforwardly fitted and/or removed from the frame 14 and doorway 1 by sliding the panel assembly 2 vertically into or out of the frame 14.

The mounting frame 14 comprises a channelled base 10 section 18 and channelled lateral side sections 16,20. These sections are shown in more detail in figure 2, with channelled sections 16,18,20 joined together to form the frame 14 by channelled corner sections 17 and 19. The channelled sections 16,18,20 comprise extrusions with a 15 channel 40 defined within the sections 16,18,20. The base section 18 is fitted and attached along the bottom threshold of the doorway 1, with the lateral side sections 16, 20 fitted to the lower sides of the opening extending upwards from the bottom of the doorway 1.

20 When the panel assembly 2 is fitted into the frame 14 a top rail member 22, comprising a further extrusion including a grooved channel is fitted along the upper edge of the panel assembly 2 and to the upper ends of the side sections 16,20. The upper edge of the panel assembly 2 is 25 engaged within the channel section of the top rail 22 with the top rail 22 thereby securing the panel assembly 2 in position within the frame 14 and increasing the rigidity of the panel assembly 2. This top rail 22 may be further reinforced by an additional reinforcing backing member (not 30 shown).

The rectangular panel assembly 2 comprises an access panel 4 and a main panel section 6. The access panel 4 forms a portion of, and within, an upper section of the panel assembly 2. The access panel 4 extends from an upper edge of 35 the panel assembly 2 and is surrounded on three sides by a

main panel section 6. The access panel 4 is, in this embodiment, slidably secured to the main panel section 6 by a double grooved rubber gasket seal 12 with the edges of the access panel 4 slidably engaged within a first longitudinal 5 groove of the seal 12 whilst the surrounding edges of the main panel 6 section are slidably engaged in a second longitudinal groove of the seal 12 on a opposite side of the seal 12 and oppositely directed with respect to the first groove. The seal 12 provides a water tight seal between the 10 access panel 4 and main panel section 6 as well as securing and mounting the access panel 4 to the main panel when the access panel is fitted.

An alternative seal 112 arrangement for sealing the access panel 4, and in place of the double grooved gasket 15 12 is shown in figure 6. A pair of planar strips 102,100 are welded onto the vertical and bottom edges of the access panel to define a U shaped channel section and groove around the edge of the access panel 4. A rubber seal 108, identical to that of the main seal 8 is fitted to the main panel with 20 the hollow tubular channel portion 109 being engaged within the U shaped channel section 105, The diameter of the hollow tubular portion being less than the width of the U shaped channel 105 such that the hollow tubular portion 109 is deformed when inserted into the U shaped channel 105 to 25 thereby provide a watertight seal. This seal arrangement 112 provide an improved seal in which the access panel can be more easily fitted and removed and furthermore by using the same seal configuration as the main seal simplifies and reduced manufacturing.

30 The access panel 4 is adapted and arranged such that it can be slid vertically from the main panel section 6 and removed. As shown in figure 1 with the access panel 4 removed, a cut-out opening 3 is defined and provided within an upper portion of the panel assembly 2. This allows the 35 doorway 1 to still be used with the main panel section 6

installed within the doorway 1 either in readiness for any flooding and/or under conditions of low level flooding when the flood level is only just above the bottom of the doorway 1 and below the bottom edge of the access panel 4. If the 5 flood level then rises the access panel 4 can then be slidably inserted and fitted into the main panel 6.

Accordingly with the access panel 4 the flood barrier system lo can be installed and fitted to the doorway providing a flood barrier against flooding at low flood levels and in 10 preparation for more serious and higher flood levels whilst still substantially allowing reasonable access to the building. This is particularly advantageous since it will be appreciated that flooding at a low level can often be prolonged whilst flooding at a higher level (necessitating 15 fitment of the access panel 4 to provide a complete and higher barrier) often only occurs for a relatively short period. The panel assembly 2 in the preferred embodiment is ribbed or fluted with a series of ribs or fluted sections 26 20 extending across the panel assembly 2. These ribs and/or fluting increase the rigidity of the panel assembly 2 (access panel 4 and main panel 6 sections) and strengthen the panel assembly 2 against deformation and buckling. As illustrated in the figures the ribs or fluting 26 may extend 25 both vertically and horizontally to provide maximum rigidity. The panel assembly 2 is fabricated from a pair of identical high impact polystyrene sheets (HIPS) 24,25, although other suitable plastic or other materials could be 30 used. These sheets 24,25 are each individually vacuum formed or otherwise moulded to include a series of ribs 26 and fluting. The sheets 24,25 are then aligned with each other back-to-back and with each sheet 24,25 overlying the other and the sheets 24,25 are then solvent welded together to 35 form the fabricated panel assembly 2t, as shown in figure

4,4a and 4b. The respective fluting 26 is aligned to define equal hollow cavities 23 between the two sheets 24,25. In this way a high strength yet lightweight panel assembly 2 is produced. As indicated in figure 4 the panel assembly 2 is 5 fabricated as a complete fabricated panel 2' comprising both the main panel section 6 and access panel 4 portion. The access panel 4 portion is cut from the fabricated panel assembly 2' as indicated by dotted line 5 with the seal 12 which slidably mounts the access panel 4 to the main panel 10 6 portion fitted along the cut line 5, as indicated in figure 4a which shows in addition the seal 12 fitted to the panel assembly 2 after the cutting out of the access panel 4. The panel assembly 2 is preferably fabricated in 15 standard widths with the panel assembly 2 then being cut down to the required width for the particular doorway 1 or opening. In a variant, and in order to fabricate a wider panel assembly 2 the pair of sheets 24,25 may be staggered 20 laterally with respect to each other, with the ribs and fluting aligned such that in a central region the sheets are on top of each other whilst at the lateral side regions only a single sheet portion. This arrangement increases the lateral width of panel 2 which can be fabricated without 25 requiring additional or larger initial sheeting stock to be used, thereby increasing manufacturing flexibility and reducing costs.

The panel assembly 2 is installed in the frame 14 with the edges of the panel assembly 2 and seal 8 thereon 30 engaging and sealing against and within channel sections 40 of the frame 14. The seal and channel section 40 of the frame 14 is shown more clearly in figure 3. The channel section 40 defined within the channelled sections, 16,18,20 has a re-entrant cross sectional profile of a generally open 35 circular form. As shown the channel 40 section includes

narrower opening slit entry 42 extending along the section which opens out into a wider channel profile 44 within the section. The width dl of the channel entry 42 is smaller and narrower than the main and maximum width d2 of the channel 5 40. The seal 8, comprising a resilient rubber extrusion, has a bulbous hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 and a narrower thinner neck portion 41. The hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 has a generally circular cross section which generally corresponds to the channel profile 44. When 10 the panel assembly 2 is fitted into the frame 14 the hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 of the seal 8 along the lateral sides of the panel assembly 2 is slotted into and within the respective channels 40 of the respective side sections 1G,20. The hollow tubular channel engaging portion 15 9 is held and trapped in the re-entrant channel 44 profile.

The panel assembly 2 and seal 8 is then slid vertically down until the bottom channel section 18 abuts against the seal 8. The panel section 2 is then pushed home to insert and engage the hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 in the 20 channel 40 of the bottom channel section 18. The hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 deforms slightly as the hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 is inserted into the channel 40 due to its resilience and hollow tubular construction thereby providing a water tight fit into the 25 channel section 18.

The neck 41 and hollow tubular channel engaging portion 9 extend and project from a main flat strip portion of the seal 8 which has a flat abutting surface 45 which abuts against the channel section of the frame and seals against 30 the frame 14. On the opposite side of the main strip portion 43 of the seal 8 a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart flange portions 47,48 extend perpendicular to the main flat strip portion 43 of the seal 8. The spaced apart flange portions 47,48 define therebetween a longitudinal groove 7 35 within which the edge of the panel assembly 2 is engaged

with the spacing between the flange portions 48,47 arranged to correspond to the thickness of the panel edges so that a tight sealing fit is provided between the seal 8 and main panel portion 6.

5 This seal 12 arrangement and configuration advantageously provides a simple and secure seal between the panel assembly 2 and frame 14 and furthermore provides a convenient and simple means for mounting the panel assembly 2 within the frame 14.

10 When the panel assembly 2 is not fitted,and in order to prevent debris from collecting and blocking the channel 40 of the channelled sections 16, 18,20 a protective cap strip 30 may be fitted. The protective cap 30 comprises a flat strip with a longitudinal central rib 31 which tightly 15 fits and engages into the channel section 18 and entry slit 42. This protective cap 30 is removed prior to fitting of the panel assembly 2.

The channelled sections 16,18,20 of the frame 14 are permanently attached to the doorway l or opening. Typically 20 the channel sections 16,20 are simply attached to the door frame and section 18 to the sill. The bottom channel section 18 may however be fitted within a threshold strip 32 which provides a ramped profile on either side of the bottom channel section 18 which is located within the centre of the 25 threshold section 32 with the top of the channel section 18, with the protective cap 32, level with the top of the threshold section 30. The threshold section 32 may also include recesses 45 in the ramped section within which rubber replaceable inlays (not shown) may be fitted to cover 30 an protect these areas of the threshold and provide a non-

slip surface.

Of course the channel sections 16,18,20 could be included and incorporated within existing door frame structures in alternative embodiments rather than being as provided as separate frames and channel sections.

In figure 7, there are shown three different possible arrangements for positioning the flood barrier system 2 within a door way 1, and in which two alternative 5 arrangements drawn in schematic are identified as flood barrier 2' and flood barrier 2'' and related associated references similarly indicated. It will be appreciated that figure 7 is a composite figure for illustrative purposes showing installation of 3 flood barrier systems, and it will 10 be appreciated that generally only one barrier system 2,2',2 " is actually installed. As shown in figure 7 in the preferred arrangement the flood barrier 2 is installed within the doorway 1 with the frame section 16,20 abutting against the door frame. Alternatively the flood barrier 15 system 2' could be installed on the door frame but on an facing part of the frame and not within the doorway 1, or the flood barrier system 2'' could be installed surrounding the doorway opening and with the frame channel sections 16 ",20'' attached to the surrounding facing walls.

20 For a wide doorway or openings, for example a garage doorway, two or more assemblies 50,52 may be laterally joined together, as shown for example in figure 5. Referring to figure 5 two flood barrier system assemblies 50,52 each substantially identical to that shown in figure 2 and 25 described above are laterally joined together with respective side frames 16a and 20a of the respective assemblies 50,52 joined together back-to-back in the centre of the opening la to form a central stile 54 in the centre of the opening la. Alternatively the two side channel 30 sections 16a,20a forming the central stile 54 can be replaced by an integral single central stile section 56 shown in figure 5a comprising a double channelled section.

Whilst this invention has been described as a flood barrier it will be appreciated that it can be similarly

utilized to provide a more general barrier across a doorway 1 or opening of a building. It can for example be used to prevent the ingress of mud or sludge, or snow or sand in other applications. It can also be used more generally to 5 provide a temporary barrier across a doorway to for example prevent pets from escaping from within a building. The prime applications of the inventions is however as a flood barrier, Many minor modifications to the above described basic 10 system will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art without departing form the basic principles of this system and the scope of the invention defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

A flood barrier system for an opening or doorway of a building, the system comprising: 5 a frame including channelled base and lateral side sections which are arranged, in use, to be i fitted to the bottom and sides of the opening or doorway; and a panel assembly which, in use, is fitted 10 into said frame with side and bottom edges of said panel assembly secured by said respective channelled sections of said frame; wherein the panel assembly comprises an access panel which forms a portion of an upper 15 section of the panel assembly and extends from an upper edge of the panel assembly downwardly part way down the panel assembly, the access panel adapted to be moveable from said panel assembly to define a cut out opening in the panel assembly.
2. A flood barrier system as claimed in claim 1 in which the access panel is slidably fitted to said panel assembly with edges of said access panel engaged within sealed grooves in the panel assembly.
3. A flood barrier system as claimed in claim 2 in which the access panel is slidably fitted to said panel assembly by a grooved gasket.

30
4. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel assembly is arranged to be slidably fitted to the frame.
5. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding

claim further comprising a top rail which, in use is fitted along and engages the upper edge of the panel assembly. 5
6. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim in which said panel assembly is formed of a plastic material.
7. A flood barrier system as claimed in claim 6 in which 10 the panel assembly is formed from high impact polystyrene sheeting (HIPS).
8. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel assembly comprises ribbed or 15 fluted panel.
9. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel assembly comprises front and rear substantially overlying panels which are joined 20 together.
10. A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a seal along and between the channel sections of the frame and respective edges of 25 the panel assembly.
A flood barrier system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the channels in the channelled base and lateral side sections of the frame have a re-entrant 30 cross sectional prof ile.
12. A flood barrier system as claimed in claim 11 in which a seal is fitted to the frame, with at least a portion of the seal engaged within the channel section.
13. A flood barrier system as claimed in claim 12 in which the seal comprises a grooved channel portion within which the edge of the panel assembly engages and a 5 channel engaging portion which cooperatively engages within the channels of the frame.
14. A flood barrier system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 7.