A pioneering flood defence system that ingeniously ‘self closes’ has been launched in the UK, revolutionising the way property is protected against floods.

Available exclusively from Worcestershire-based UK Flood Barriers, the innovative Self Closing Flood Barrier weighs less than water and automatically rises like a floating wall when water levels rise.  

The award winning, patented design is already proven worldwide.  It is currently being installed to secure the USA’s National Archives building in Washington DC, where it will protect priceless documents including the original Declaration of Independence.

Installed level with the ground, the Self Closing Flood Barrier works via a filling-pipe system which is instantly activated by high water levels caused by heavy rainfall, gales or melting snow. 

When the system is full, the rising polyester wall locks the barrier waterproof.  When waters recede, it automatically closes, drains out and remains virtually invisible.

The benefits of the barrier are many.  No power source is required so it still operates in a power cut.  Importantly it avoids the need to rely on weather reports and flood predictions, and the costly manual erection and dismantling of temporary barriers.

The barrier costs around half the amount of conventional flood barriers, explained Frank Kelly, research and development consultant of UK Flood Barriers in Droitwich.

“It’s far more resilient and cheaper than other options as it requires virtually no maintenance.

“It can stay in the ground for up to 50 years with absolutely no human intervention and can save £millions of taxpayers money.”

A recent Environment Agency report estimates that one in six homes in England are at risk of flooding and that investment in defence systems will need to double over the next 25 years.

Mr Kelly added: “With climate change, the situation is likely to worsen and scenes such as the terrible flooding in Tewkesbury and Hull in 2007 will become all the more common.

“Our Self Closing Flood Barrier provides the ultimate protection to people and properties in any high-risk flood situation.”

Designed by Dutch engineers, the barrier has many applications.  For example, it can be installed along a waterway, in a flood wall, in coastal defences, to surround low lying buildings, along roadways, to protect entrances to underground car parks and entrances between a man-made bund, among many others.

The Barrier has already received six global awards, most notably as winner of the ‘Best Civil Technical Invention in the World’ at the Salon Internationale des Inventions.

To watch the Self Closing Barrier DVD visit www.ukfloodbarriers.co.uk/scfbvideo.htm.

For further information, contact UK Flood Barriers on 01905 773282 or visit www.ukfloodbarriers.co.uk
 

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Notes to editors:

UK Flood Barriers Ltd specialises in protecting homes and businesses affected by flood waters.  The company’s innovative range of flood prevention and protection products - door barriers, non-return water valves, flood-proof airbricks, U-bend toilet bungs, inspection chamber risers and manhole covers - are used by local authorities and private individuals.

The firm’s nationwide team of flood surveyors and installers carry out full on-site flood risk assessments and advise on flood defence options for individual properties to entire communities.

Uniquely, UK Flood Barriers has a patented 46,000 litre flood tank testing facility at its head-office which simulates flash flooding and standing water situations.  This is used to demonstrate how properties can be protected.

It is also used for evaluating and testing innovative new products as part of the firm’s ongoing research and development programme operated by sister company Environmental Enterprises.

UK flood statistics

• One in six homes in England is at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency.
   
• For every £1 spent on flood defences £7 is saved on restoration.
• Over 5 million people in England and Wales live in properties that are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea according to the Environment Agency.
• In 2007, UK flood statistics show that five people died, 600 were injured, 3,500 people were rescued and 27,000 houses were flooded.  By March 2008, 6,710 of these households by were still displaced, 5,000 businesses were flooded, 858 schools were damaged, and 42,000 hectares of agricultural land were flooded.

The fire brigade's rescue efforts were described as the biggest in peacetime Britain. These floods led to the biggest loss of critical infrastructure since World War II.

Ministerial estimates put the cost of the flood damage at £2.7 billion.

The insurance industry has concerns this is not a one-off, but a worsening trend.
 

• Claims in the UK for storm and flood damage in the five years up to 2003 were £6.2billion, double the figure for the previous five years, and it is estimated these costs could triple by 2050.

• Between 1997 and 2005, some 120,000 dwellings were built in England in designated flood-risk areas, which represents some 9 per cent of all dwellings built over this period.