Learning to live with water

14 June 2010

Sponsored article: Two West Midlands based companies have joined forces to provide a one-stop-shop for the provision of total flood protection to the public and private sector. Flood Angel is the UK’s number one manufacturer and supplier of intelligent flood defence systems, offering award-winning, tried and tested solutions independently tested to rigorous Kitemark standards in its own unique BSI-approved testing facility. Diamond Facilities Support is a national facilities management business

The Problem
Recent flooding events in Cumbria have been a harsh reminder that flooding is rapid, indiscriminate and devastating. The past decade has seen the number of flood events increase rapidly as climate change affects weather patterns around the globe. Businesses and individuals are finding it increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain insurance. It is no longer just those properties situated on flood plains or next to waterways that are vulnerable. The rise in flash flooding incidents in areas never previously at risk has been widespread and is due largely to the over-capacity of our ageing drainage systems which cannot cope with heavy rainfall.
The background
The Pitt Review in 2008 and the Foresight Report of 2004 went some way to highlighting the issues that we face in the UK. The net result is that it takes some years to implement the necessary changes to manage the problem. The introduction of PPS25 in 2006 recognised that flooding cannot be prevented entirely, but its impact can be avoided and reduced through planning and management. In other words, we need to learn to live with water. In most cases domestic, commercial and industrial properties can be protected from all means of water ingress by taking simple steps.
The Solution
Flood Angel in partnership with Diamond Facilities Support have a national reputation as a comprehensive provider of solutions to deal with flood situations faced by the public, businesses, councils, housing associations and the Environment Agency. The BRE recently stated that “Flood Angel is the leading supplier of flood technology for the built environment”. Thriving on innovation, Flood Angel’s Research & Development division works collaboratively with global partners to develop products that harness the power of rising flood waters to activate, meaning that no human intervention or electrical supply is required. The Flood Angel range is manufactured in the UK to the highest standards, and the company is committed to a stringent environmental and quality policy, using recycled materials where possible. Full flood risk assessment surveys, manufacture, supply, installation and a planned maintenance regime ensures that quality is always of the highest standard.
Flood protection is not expensive: every £1 spent on flood defence saves £7 in restoration costs.
Flood Angel and Diamond Facilities Support offers complete peace of mind for affordable, effective flood defence with minimal maintenance. Training workshops are delivered at Flood Angel’s Worcestershire Head Office; these help raise awareness of flood prevention methodology and include hands-on flood simulations.
The Product Range
There are as many as eight different ways for flood water to enter a property. Flood Angel addresses the problem with a holistic approach: 1. Doorway/aperture defence, comprising standard and bespoke barriers.
2. Brick defence, eg: intelligent automatically closing airbricks and weep holes.
3. Sewage defence, comprising non return valves, bungs and self-closing road gullies.
4. Self Closing Flood Barrier, a fully automatic barrier ready to deploy 24/7, requiring absolutely no human intervention or power source.
5. Remote Monitoring & Control equipment offers “smart” early warning telemetry systems.
6. Associated products, eg: tanking polymer, silicone and sanitiser.