GB2420815A - Flood barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A flood barrier for installation next to doorway, window or other opening in the wall of a building comprises mounting columns 4 fixed each side of the opening and gates 10 for being secured to the mounting columns. Each gate comprises two side panels 15 with inner edges engageable with channels in the columns and extending forward from said wall, and a front panel 16 extending between the side panels. Sealing strips are provided to reduce leakage between the wall and the columns and between the columns and the gates. The two columns are fixed to the wall by screws or bolts (not shown). The columns 4, along with the sealing strips 5, 6 and 8 are intended to remain in place even when there is no immediate risk of flooding. Pump means 19 maybe situated in the front panel.

Description

Flood Barrier This invention relates to a barrier for installation next to

doorway, window or other opening in the wall of a building to reduce entry of flood water.

Various flood barriers for this purpose are known. For example, US Patent No. 3861081 discloses a barrier comprising a mounting structure sealed to a doorway and having a channel-shaped cross section for receiving a flat waterproof front panel. The panel can be removed when there is no danger of flooding.

According to the invention, there is provided a flood barrier comprising a mounting structure (4) for being fixed each side of an opening in a wall and at least one gate member (10) for being secured to the mounting structure, the gate member comprising two side panels (15) with inner edges engageable with channels in the mounting structure and extending forward from said wall, and a front panel (16) extending between the side panels.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flood barrier with two gate sections installed, and Figures 2 and 3 are a front view and a side view of the barrier respectively with three and seven gate sections installed and figure 3 having a portion cut away to illustrate constructional details of a column.

The barrier is shown position on the front step I of a doorway 2 of a house.

Above the doorway 2, there is a lintel 3.

Instead of a doorway, the barrier can be adapted for a window or other opening in the house wall. The doorway may not have a step or lintel like the ones shown. If so, the arrangement may be adapted to suit, For example, the barrier may be installed direct on the ground in front of the doorway.

At each side of the doorway 2, there is an upright support column 4 extending from the step I to the lintel 3. Between the rear of each column 4 and the wall of the house there is asealing strip 5. A further sealing strip 6 is provided between the bottom of each column4 and the top surface of the step I. Each column 4 is shaped in cross-section to form a forward facing vertical channel 7 opening in the direction away from the house wall. A sealing strip 8 is secured in the channel 7 by adhesive (not shown). The strips 5 and 6 are also fixed by adhesive.

The two columns are fixed to the wall by any suitable means, for example by screws or bolts (not shown).

The columns 4, along with the sealing strips 5, 6 and 8 are intended to remain in place even when there is no immediate risk of flooding.

If there is such a risk, a selected number of gate members 10 are secured to the columns 4. Each member 10 comprises two side panels 15 which extend forward from the columns and a front panel 16 extending between the front edges of the side panels. The inner edges of the side panels 15 enter the channels 7 to compress the sealing strips 8. The gate members are fixed in place by eyebolts (not shown).

The top and/or bottom of each gate member 10 is provided with a sealing strip 17 to provide sealing between each two members and between the lowest member and the step 1.

The number of gate members used depends upon choice and the height of the flood water. Thus, two or three may be used as shown in figures 1 and 2, or a full complement of seven may be used to close off the doorway completely as shown in figure 3.

The gate members 10 may be of different depths as shown so that the gate members define a curved front surface 18. This provides best support in the face of the pressure of the water.

The lower member which is always used has a water expulsion mechanism 19.

This could be an electrical pump or a pyrotechnic gas generator. Its function is to expel water that have been present before the members 10 were installed.

The columns 4 and membersl0 may be of plastics material and the sealing strips of plastics foam. The front and side panel of each member 10 may be moulded in one piece. Other components of the barrier, eg the eyebolts, may be of stainless steel.

Claims (2)

Claims.

1. A flood barrier comprising a mounting structure (4) for being fixed each side of an opening in a wall and at least one gate member (10) for being secured to the mounting structure, the gate member comprising two side panels (15) with inner edges engageable with channels in the mounting structure and extending forward from said wall, and a front panel (16) extending between the side panels.

2. A flood barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.