GB2422013A

GB2422013A - A flood warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2422013A
Application number: GB0427967A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Walters
Original assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Current assignee: Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-21
Filing date: 2004-12-21
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Also published as: GB0427967D0

Abstract

A flood warning system 1 for a building 2 such as a house, comprises a device 3 adapted to sense a rise in liquid level at or adjacent the building 2 beyond a predetermined norm, and to transmit a signal indicating that rise, and a receiver device 4 associated with the building 2 which is adapted to receive the signal and provide an alarm signal at or in the building 2. The device 3 is typically mounted on the wall of an inspection chamber 7 for a sewer pipe 5 downstream of the building 2 and upstream of a public sewer manhole 8, and consists of a battery-powered sewage level sensor 11 and radio transmitter 12. The receiver device 4 is a battery powered radio receiver mounted in a suitable location inside the building 2, and includes an alarm unit 13 which may be an audio alarm, a visual alarm or an audio/visual alarm.

Description

AWARN1JG SYSTEM The invention relates to a warning system, particularly a

flood warning system for buildings.

Buildings such as domestic dwellings are liable to flood if there is an untoward occurrence in a sewer serving the property. Thus, if a sewer blocks and users continue to discharge wastewater to it, the sewage level will rise. The level will continue to rise to a point where it will spill out of the system, typically from the lowest topographic point, such as an inspection chamber, gulley or manhole. For some home owners, the first indication of a blockage will be sewage spilling from their inspection chamber and possibly flooding their garden or house. The spill will continue until the blockage is cleared or until all the users stop discharging wastewater to the sewer.

Some homeowners are also at risk of flooding from storm flows during heavy rainfall.

Hydraulic incapacity within the sewerage network can result in sewage backing up and spilling from the lowest point in the system. For some home owners, flooding may occur during such events, inundating their garden or house.

In addition to sewer flooding, some properties are also at risk of flooding from ground water. During prolonged wet periods, ground water levels can rise which may lead to water in the under-floor space or cellar of a building. For some low lying properties on permeable ground, the ground water can rise to a point where internal flooding is (xpfjejid in a house.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flood warning system for a building, comprising a device adapted to sense a rise in liquid level at or adjacent the building beyond a norm, and to transmit a signal indicating that rise, and a receiver device, associated with the building, which is adapted to receive the signal and provide an alarm signal at or in the building.

The alarm signal may be audible, visual, and/or audio visual. These consctjons are relatively simple, yet an effective way of warning a building occupier such as a house owner of an impending flood.

The device may be situated in the sewerage system of the building. The sewerage system for the building may be part of a general sewerage system for several buildings, for example on a housing estate where there are several users of the sewerage system.

Suitably, the device may be situated in a manhole or inspection chamber of the sewerage system. This provides a relatively convenient location for the device, which may suitably comprise a level sensor device adapted to detect a rise in sewage level and transmit the signal to the receiver device.

The device may be situated at a lower level of the building and may be adapted to detect a rise in ground water level under the building. This provides for detection of an unlooked for rise in ground water level.

Thus, the device may be situated under the lowest floor of the building, such as in an underground room or m a cellar of a building.

The device may comprise a radio transmitter device. This provides for "wireless" transmission of a signal to the receiver device, thereby simplifying Installation, and use.

The device may comprise a battery powered device.

The device may also be wall-mountable whereby it is adapted for being situated witlun a sewage inspection chamber or manhole, or on a wall of the building.

The device may further compnse a delay means adapted to obviate premature actuation of the level sensor device.

There may be a low battery warning means for the said device. This provides for efficient and Continuing operation of the system.

The receiver device may comprise a battery powered device, or a mainspowered device.

When battery-powered there may be a low battery warning means for the said receiver. This provides for efficient and Continuing operation of the system.

When mains operated, there may be a reset means operable in the event of an interruption to the mains supply. This again provides for an efficient and continuing operation of the system, which may also preferably comprise a facility on the alarm.

The system may also comprise means to send a message to a remote control station, for example the means may comprise a GSM or PSTN transmission facility.

It will be understood that the invention extends to a sewerage network including a system as hereiribefore described A system embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. I shows schematically a system according to the invention and part of a sewer to a building such as a domestic house, operating under normal conditions; Fig. IA shows the system of Fig. 1 under a blockage or flood condition; Fig. 2 shows schematically a system according to the invention in normal operation for detecting rise in ground water level; and Fig. 2A shows the system of Fig. 2 when the ground water level has risen.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, there is shown a flood warning system 1 for a building 2, comprising a device 3 adapted to sense a rise in liquid level at or adjacent the building 2 beyond a norm, and to transmit a signal indicating that rise, and a receiver device 4 associated with the building 2 which is adapted to receive the signal and provide an alami signal at or in the building 2.

The building 2 in the embodiment a domestic dwelling, or house, the sewage outflow from which (Figs. I and 1A) is connected to a sewer pipe 5 of a network which includes the pipe 5 and inspection chambers 6, 7 generally within the area bounding the building 2 and a public sewer manhole 8 which is generally situated outside the boundary of the buildings, in a public access area such as a road 9. The sewer pipe 5 falls from left to right as viewed to promote flow of sewage in a required direction to link up with a public sewer main 10 located in the manhole 8.

On a wall of the inspection chamber 7, i.e. one which is downstream of the building 2 and upstream of the public sewer manhole 8, there is mounted the device 3 which in the embodiment is in the form of a battery powered (sewage) level sensor 11 arid a radio transmitter 12. The receiver device 4 is a battery powered receiver device in the embodiment, mounted at a suitable appropriate location inside the building 2. The receiver device includes an alarm unit 13 suitably, in the embodiment, an audible alarm, although a visual or audio/visual alternative is possible.

Also, there may be more than one receiver device 4 and alarm unit 13 within the building 2 to provide certainty that an alarm signal from one at least will be noted by an occupant of the building 2, should the system I comprising the device 3 and receiver device 4 be activated.

It will be understood that the use of battery power for the respective devices 3 and 4 enable the radio system to be "wireless" in the sense that there are no hard wire connections between the devices 3 and 4. Also, as there is a potentially explosive atmosphere within the sewer network, devices 3, 11 and 12 will be intrinsically safe.

The absence of physical wire connections between the devices 3 and 4 reduces the possibility for "shorting" and hence provides for explosion proofing as there are no spaiks, The normal level of sewage in the pipe 5 serving the building is shown at level X' in Fig. 1. in the event of a blockage 14, or flood condition arising, the sewage level in the pipe rises, as shown in Fig. 1A where the pipe 5 upstream of, in this case a blockage 14, is full of sewage which has backed up, upstream of the blockage 14.

In this case, the rise in level of sewage in the sewer pipe is detected by the sensor 11 of the device 3 so that a radio signal is transmitted which is detected by the receiver device(s) 4 in the building which in turn emits an audible alarm from the alarm 13 to alert an occupant of the building to the situation. The occupant/resident can then contact a remote service utility helpline and/or plumber, so that the blockage 14 can be cleared before there is any flooding of the building 2 with sewage.

Likewise, in the event of a condition potentially leading to a surcharge flood owing to severe rainfall, the alarm 13, of the receiver device 4 would also sound to warn the occupant of the potential flooding problem as the sewage backs up owing to the pipe being (temporarily) unable to cope with the excess volume brought about by the severe rainfall.

The occupant/resident could in addition to telephoning the utility service provider, take prccautjo such as putting sand bags or flood guards G' in position at vulnerable points such as doors into the building 2.

Figs. 2 and 2A show an embodiment siimlar to the first in which a device 3 can be positioned below the lowest floor of the buildmg for example being situated in a basement or cellar 14.

There is a receiver device 4, with alarm 13, as in the first embodiment In the second embodiment, the device 3 provides warning of a rise in ground water level under the building 2.

The devices 3 and 4 are equivalent to and function in a similar way, to those of the first embodiment, so no further description is given.

In extreme cases, the alarm 13 from the receiver device can enable an occupant/resident to move internal fixtures and fittings prior to a flood.

It will be understood that the device 3 of Figs. 2 and 2A could be in addition to the device 3 of Figs. 1 and IA, in other words, the buildmg has a system providing for alarms arising from two situations, namely sewage back-up or ground water level rise.

It will be understood that a mute facility can be 1ncoorated in the receiver device 4 (or base uniO to cnabje the aliii 13 to be temporari'y silenced. The receiver devicc 4 could also provide a warning such as a visual display warning occupant(s) of the building 2 to use toilet facilities, baths, showers etc. sparingly until danger of flooding is averted.

Moreover, it will be understood that while an audible alarm 13 has been referred to in the embodiments, if the building 2 is unoccupied, such an alarm may be ineffective In this case, the receiver device 4 may be modified to include in addition a facility to send out a message via GSM or PS to the occupant or elsewhere such as a se'ice utility provider helpline.

A system I as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings may in summary have the following features:.

* A battery powered, wall mounted, water proof intrinsically safe radio transmitter and level sensor device that can be housed within a sewer inspection chamber or manhole.

* A splash' delay on the level sensor to ensure the alarm does not operate accidentally.

* A low battery warning system to alert an occupant of a building that the batteries in the radio transmitter and level sensor need to be changed.

* A battery/mains powered, wall mounted radio receiver/base station unit to receive the signal from the lcvcl Sensor and transmitter with an audible alarm.

* If appropriate, a low battery warning system to alert the occupant that the batteries in the base station need to be changed.

* A mute/acimowledgement/reset facility on the alarm..

* A GSM or PSTN transmission facility within the base station to send out a message if the alarm is not acknowledged.

Claims

1. A flood warning system for a building, compnsing a device adapted to sense a rise in liquid]evel at or adjacent the building beyond a norm, and to transmit a signal indicating that rise, and a receiver device, associated with the building, which is adapted to receive the signal and provide an alarm signal at or in the building.

2. A system according to Claim 1, the alarm signal being audible.

3. A system according to Claim 1, the alarm signal being visual.

4. A system according to Claim 1, the alarm signal being audio/visual.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, the device being situated in the sewerage system of the building.

6. A system according to Claim 5, the device being situated in a manhole or Inspection chamber of the sewerage system.

7. A system according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, the device compsing a level sensor device adapted to detect a rise in sewage level and fransniit the signal to the receiver device.

8. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the device being situated at a lower level of the building and being adapted to detect a rise in ground water level under the building.

9. A system according to Claim 8, the device being situated under the lowest floor of the building.

10. A system according to Claim 8, the device being situated in an underground room or cellar of a building.

11. A system according to any of Claims 5 to 10, the device comprising a radio transmitter device.

12. A system according to Claim 11, the said device comprising a battery powered device.

13. A system according to Claim 12, the device being wall mountable whereby it is adapted for being situated within a sewage inspection chamber or manhole, or on a wall of the building.

14. A system according to any of Claims 11 to 13, the device further comprising a delay means adapted to obviate pren-lature actuation of the level sensor device.

15. A system according to any of Claims 12 to 14, comprising a low battery warning means.

16. A system according to any preceding Claim, the receiver device comprising a battery powered device.

17. A system according to Claim 16, the receiver device comprising a mains- powered device.

18. A system according to Claim 16, comprising a low battery warning means.

19. A system according to Claim 17, comprIsing a reset means operable in the event of an interruption to the mains supply.

20. A system according to any of Clainis 16 to 19, comprising a mutc/acknowledgejjen 1/reset facility on the alarm.

21. A system according to any of Claims 16 to 21, comprising means to send a message to a remote control station.

22. A system according to Claim 21, the means comprising a OSM or PSTN tranSmission facility.

23. A flood warning system for a building, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany ing drawings.

24. A sewerage network, including a flood warning system according to any preceding claim.