For whom
Municipalities, contractors, businesses, and homeowners who need a reusable
temporary flood barrier instead of single-use sandbags.
What it does
Forms a continuous line of defence, self-filled by water, that seals against streets, yards,
and building entrances.
Why it matters
Less waste, less labour, more control — and a clear, repeatable playbook for the next flood.
In one glance
Why this temporary flood barrier belongs in your plan
Fast, repeatable, and simple
TubeBarrier is designed for real operations: wind, rain, darkness, limited crews.
You follow a short checklist and within minutes a temporary flood barrier
stands between the water and your critical assets. No pumps, no power, no frantic sandbag chains.
- Self-filling: water on site provides the ballast.
- Continuous surface instead of loose stacks.
- Clear roles and steps for teams.
One stock, many deployments
A single container of TubeBarrier modules can protect multiple sites over the course of a season.
After each event you clean, dry, and store — no mountains of used sandbags.
- Reusability over many seasons.
- Share stocks across departments or neighbouring municipalities.
- Predictable footprint in storage.
Built for uneven reality
Streets, curbs, pavers, compacted soil — they are rarely perfect. The PVC shell, overlap flaps,
and anchors help the temporary flood barrier follow the surface and manage seepage.
- Welded seams and flexible PVC.
- Anchoring systems for soft and hard ground.
- Integrated drainage to relieve water and air under the system.
Principle
How the TubeBarrier temporary flood barrier works
Hydrostatic pressure is the engine behind this temporary flood barrier. The PVC shell
forms a continuous, flexible seal that settles onto the surface and uses rising water as ballast.
Through the intakes, water enters the tunnel, driving the barrier downward and outward. Overlap flaps
and the geometry limit seepage along section joints and minor irregularities. Because modules are
connected, you create one protective surface instead of a loose stack of bags.
Core principles of the temporary flood barrier
- Self-filling: water provides mass; no pumps or power required.
- Continuous line: waterproof zippers with protective flaps.
- Adaptive sealing: performance improves as the water level rises.
- Integrated drainage: perforated tubes route air and water from under the system to the dry side.
temporary flood barrier.
Typical sequence (30–45 min per 100 m)
- Sweep the route and remove debris or sharp objects.
- Stage pallet boxes along the line; align curves and endpoints.
- Accordion-unroll modules and zip sections together.
- Install ground anchors along the front flap.
- Open the intakes — the temporary flood barrier self-fills.
- After the peak: drain, rinse, dry, inspect, and store.
Deployment
Installation of the temporary flood barrier
Designed for real conditions
Installation is designed for wind, rain, and limited visibility. Each pallet box contains a 10 m section
with accessories. You stage the boxes along the route (roughly 1 m shorter than section length),
tilt the box so the front flap faces the water side, remove sharp objects, unroll, zip from the front flap
toward the tunnel, and close the protective flap to keep out debris and reduce wear.
The temporary flood barrier is forgiving, but a clean route and correct anchoring make
the difference between “good” and “excellent”.
Anchoring on soft ground
Use ground anchors with pointed tips. Slide them over the keder on the front flap, press into the soil
(by hand/foot or rubber mallet), and secure with screw pegs. This creates a sheet-pile effect that adds
grip and reduces piping. Mark curves in advance; the flexible PVC of the temporary flood barrier absorbs
minor bumps and undulations.
Anchoring on hard surfaces
For concrete, asphalt, or pavers you install expansion anchors and secure narrow galvanized anchor plates.
The aluminium keder profile slides onto the front-flap keder, evenly distributing loads. On uneven
surfaces, additional bolts help the plate conform to the surface; cuts are made where needed to prevent
bypass flow.
Slot-in method for frequent routes
At fixed locations you can create a slot ~3 mm wide and ~25 mm deep. During deployment the base plate
drops into the slot and the temporary flood barrier tensions in minutes.
When not in use, the slot is closed with EPDM or fine sand.
Tip: rehearse once before the season. You verify the line, bolt positions, and team roles — and you usually
cut time to a working temporary flood barrier in half.
Specifications
Technical & durability of the temporary flood barrier
Materials
- PVC-coated fabric (~650 g/m²) with high tensile and tear strength; welded seams; temperature range roughly −40 °C to +70 °C; UV-, mould-, and rot-resistant.
- Reinforcement slats (polyester/glass, ~6 m) distribute forces and help the tunnel retain shape under load.
- Coupling via waterproof zippers; protective hook-and-loop flaps keep out dirt and shield against abrasion.
- Integrated drainage with perforated tubes from front flap to dry side to relieve air and water under the system.
70 cm model (typical scenario)
- Designed retention: ~50 cm of water + ~20 cm safety margin against overtopping.
- Widths: tunnel base ~1.6 m; front flap ~1.3 m.
- Weight: ~6.5 kg/m (dry), manageable for small crews.
- Length: modular 10 m sections; connect for longer lines.
Expected service life
- PVC segments: 15+ years (often >20 years with intermittent use).
- Anchors/plates: ~25 years (galvanized plates + aluminium keder profile).
- Zippers: ~15 years; keep clean and lubricate annually for longevity.
After use: rinse, dry, visual inspection, and storage in pallet boxes (stackable, small footprint).
Testing & validation
Temporary flood barrier in lab and field
TubeBarrier has been developed through laboratory trials and real-world drills at sites such as Flood
Proof Holland. We test for stability, sealing performance, tolerance to overtopping, debris impact, and
behaviour in flow. The result is a temporary flood barrier that behaves predictably when
installed according to protocol.
Key findings
- Hydrostatic on concrete: stable at design conditions; at ~95% of design head, ~245 L/hour·m interface seepage — without instability.
- Hydrostatic on grass (with drainage & ground screws): at ~95% of design head, ~232 L/hour·m; visible stability gains across the test series.
- Overtopping behaviour: controlled overtopping did not cause failure; the temporary flood barrier remained stable within design assumptions.
- Debris impact: no tearing of the PVC under the tested log impact; conservative margins used.
- Flow exposure: multiple ~20-minute sessions without failure; height variation attributed to facility limits.
What does this mean outside the lab?
The combination of increasing downward pressure, flexible sealing, and managed seepage makes the
temporary flood barrier robust — especially when the ground is prepared and anchoring is correct.
From testing to routine
Clear installation protocols, labels, and a short rehearsal reduce the human factor significantly.
Teams learn curves, endpoints, and anchor density, and recognize the few situations where extra sealing
(for example gaps in aged paving) is worth the effort.
Many users integrate the temporary flood barrier into their emergency playbooks:
predefined routes, pre-installed anchors, and clear responsibilities for each team.
Applications
Where organisations use the TubeBarrier temporary flood barrier
Homes & small sites
Classic inflow points include basement stairs, garage doors, garden doors, and patios. A short line of
temporary flood barrier keeps water on the street while you manage rainfall behind the line.
Municipal streets & public buildings
Quickly cordon off 50–200 m of street to keep access and protect critical functions. Because the
temporary flood barrier self-fills, crews can focus on traffic control, lighting, and pumps
instead of sandbag handling.
Industrial sites & logistics
Loading docks, substations, equipment rooms, and data spaces need continuity. With a pre-planned route and
trained crew, the temporary flood barrier becomes effective within minutes, protecting
high-value assets and reducing downtime.
Transport & transit
Underpasses, tram or bus stops, and low-lying corridors collect runoff quickly. A continuous
temporary flood barrier keeps water out and buys pumps the time needed to maintain service.
Sustainability & ROI
Dive deeper into the TubeBarrier temporary flood barrier
Use the tabs to jump between overview, installation, technical details, use cases, ROI and frequently asked
questions. This way you keep all information together without a huge wall of text.
Overview: why a temporary flood barrier?
Climate change means heavier downpours, faster river peaks, and stormwater systems that reach capacity
sooner. A temporary flood barrier must therefore be simple, repeatable, and fast
enough to deploy under pressure. TubeBarrier forms a continuous line of defence that grips the surface
and generates its own ballast from the water on site.
After the peak, you drain the barrier, rinse the material, let it dry, and return everything to the
pallet box — ready for the next deployment. No contaminated sand, no ad-hoc solutions, just a clear and
reusable system.
- Reusable temporary flood barrier for multiple events.
- Fast setup with small crews.
- Continuous sealing surface and managed seepage.
- Suitable for streets, yards, buildings, and infrastructure.
How the barrier responds to rising water
As water level increases, hydrostatic pressure pushes the temporary flood barrier
downward and outward. This improves contact with the surface and adds stability exactly when you need
it most. The geometry, overlap flaps, and anchoring systems together limit seepage and prevent sliding.
The barrier is intentionally flexible. Rather than fighting every small unevenness in asphalt or paving,
the PVC shell follows the surface, while the front flap and anchoring distribute forces.
Key elements
- Self-filling tunnel for ballast.
- Front flap with anchors for grip.
- Overlap and end pieces for continuity.
- Drainage elements to relieve underpressure.
Installation checklist
Clear debris, identify curves, transitions, and thresholds.
Place boxes along the route with the front flap toward the water side.
Accordion-unroll modules, zip sections together, close protective flaps.
Use ground screws or plates depending on the surface.
Let the temporary flood barrier self-fill while monitoring the peak.
Drain, rinse, dry, inspect, and store for the next deployment.
How-to summary
Most organisations integrate this into a short, laminated field guide or digital SOP: photos of key
steps, anchor densities per surface type, and contact details for support if needed.
Technical & testing
The temporary flood barrier has undergone hydrostatic, overtopping, debris impact,
and flow tests. These demonstrate that, installed according to protocol, the barrier remains stable
under design conditions and tolerates controlled overtopping without failure.
| Test | Condition | Observation |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrostatic on concrete | ~95% of design head | ~245 L/h·m seepage, no instability |
| Hydrostatic on grass | With drainage & ground screws | ~232 L/h·m seepage, improved stability |
| Overtopping | Controlled overflow | Barrier remained stable within design assumptions |
| Debris impact | Log impact tests | No tearing of PVC; conservative margins used |
| Flow exposure | Multiple ~20 min runs | No failure; variations due to facility limits |
Use cases
From small residential sites to complex industrial areas, the temporary flood barrier
can be tailored through route planning and anchor choice. Many users start with one or two strategic
lines and expand over time.
- Residential: driveways, basement stairs, garden doors, small streets.
- Municipal: main streets, public buildings, pumping stations, critical access roads.
- Industrial & logistics: loading docks, substations, server rooms, warehouses.
- Transport: underpasses, low-lying corridors, public transport hubs.
Planning tip
Map your first 2–3 key routes on an aerial photo, including lengths and transitions. This makes it
easy to calculate required barrier length and anchoring, and to train teams before the next storm
season.
Sustainability & ROI
Reuse is the biggest win. Your “consumable” is the water that is already there — you don’t buy, haul,
and landfill tons of sand for every event. Fewer truck movements, less mess, and significantly lower
waste volumes.
Because the temporary flood barrier is reusable, the cost per deployment drops
sharply over time. Many users treat TubeBarrier as a shared asset across departments or neighbouring
municipalities.
Costs that work in your favour
- No recurring sand purchases or disposal fees.
- Fewer labour hours per deployment.
- Shared stock across teams or municipalities.
👉 Try the calculator to estimate the savings for your situation:
TubeBarrier vs. sandbags comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How long does installation take?
With trained crews, 30–45 minutes per 100 m is typical. The temporary flood barrier
self-fills; there’s no filling or stacking like with sandbags.
Do we need pumps or power?
No. Hydrostatic pressure does the filling. Small pumps can help move rainfall behind the barrier
towards drains if needed.
Which surfaces are suitable?
Asphalt, concrete, pavers, and prepared soil. Overlap flaps and the flexible PVC shell maintain
contact; anchoring with plates or screws distributes load and reduces piping.
How long does the system last?
With routine care, PVC parts last 15+ years (often >20 years with intermittent use), anchors ~25
years, and zippers ~15 years. After each deployment: rinse, dry, inspect, store.
Can the barrier handle curves and elevation changes?
Yes. Connected modules follow curves and transitions; end and side pieces close against walls or
berms. In tight spots, extra anchoring is recommended.
What about seepage or overtopping?
Any temporary measure may allow minimal seepage. Welded seams, overlap flaps, proper anchoring, and
integrated drainage reduce this substantially. Under controlled overtopping, the
temporary flood barrier remains stable within design assumptions.
Still have questions?
Share photos or drawings of your location and we can help you assess whether a
temporary flood barrier is a good fit, and which route or configuration would be most
effective.
Case study
Temporary flood barrier in Steenbergen (NL)
Municipal teams rapidly deployed ~100 m of barrier along vulnerable residential streets in Steenbergen.
The guiding flap reduced seepage and, as water entered, the temporary flood barrier became
heavier and more stable. Access routes and doorways remained dry throughout the peak.
After the event, the team drained the barrier, rinsed the PVC, let everything dry, and stored the modules
back in pallet boxes. The same stock has since been redeployed across multiple sites — without any
sandbag waste stream.
limited access.
Ready to protect your site with a temporary flood barrier?
Use the calculator for a quick cost comparison, speak to a specialist about your site, or schedule a
live demo. A reusable temporary flood barrier is the fastest way to keep water out when
minutes matter.