Industrial Flood Barriers: Protecting Your Assets

Flooding poses a significant threat to industrial facilities, leading to costly downtime, equipment damage, and supply chain disruptions. TubeBarrier offers a rapid, reliable, and reusable flood protection solution, designed to minimise these risks and keep your operations running smoothly. Forget the limitations of sandbags – TubeBarrier provides a modern, efficient, and sustainable alternative.

Flood Risks for Industrial Facilities

Industrial sites face a unique set of flood-related challenges. Large surface areas, complex infrastructure, and valuable equipment make them particularly vulnerable. The consequences of flooding can be severe, including:

• Production Downtime: Flooding can halt production, leading to missed deadlines and lost revenue.
• Equipment Damage: Water damage can render machinery and equipment unusable, requiring costly repairs or replacements.
• Inventory Loss: Stockpiles of raw materials and finished goods can be destroyed by floodwater, resulting in significant financial losses.
• Supply Chain Disruption: Flooding can disrupt supply chains, impacting both inbound and outbound logistics.
• Environmental Contamination: Floodwater can carry pollutants from industrial sites, posing a risk to the environment and public health.
• Reputational Damage: Extended downtime and supply chain disruptions can damage your company’s reputation.

Climate change is exacerbating these risks, with more frequent and intense rainfall events predicted in many regions. Investing in effective flood protection is therefore essential for safeguarding your industrial assets and ensuring long-term business resilience.

Advantages of TubeBarrier for Industrial Flood Protection

TubeBarrier offers several key advantages over traditional flood protection methods, such as sandbags:

• Rapid Deployment: TubeBarrier can be deployed much faster than sandbags, allowing you to quickly protect your facility in the face of an imminent flood threat. A team of four people can deploy up to 100 metres per hour.
• Reusable and Sustainable: Unlike sandbags, which are often discarded after a single use, TubeBarrier is reusable for 20+ years, reducing waste and environmental impact.
• Cost-Effective: While the initial investment may be higher than sandbags, TubeBarrier’s long lifespan and reduced labour costs make it a more cost-effective solution in the long run. Lifecycle costs are typically 70% lower than sandbags.
• Easy to Store and Transport: TubeBarrier is compact when folded, making it easy to store and transport. One 10-metre unit weighs just 75 kg dry and folds down to 160 × 100 × 60 cm.
• Effective on Various Surfaces: TubeBarrier can be deployed on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, tarmac, tiles, and gravel.
• No Pumps or Power Required: TubeBarrier relies on hydrostatic pressure for stability, eliminating the need for pumps or external power sources.

How the TubeBarrier Works: Hydrostatic Anchoring

TubeBarrier’s effectiveness lies in its simple yet ingenious design, leveraging the power of hydrostatic pressure. Here’s how it works:

• Modular Design: TubeBarrier consists of interconnected, 10-metre long modules made from durable, waterproof material.
• Water Filling: The modules are filled with water, creating a stable and heavy barrier.
• Hydrostatic Anchoring: The weight of the water inside the barrier creates a strong downward force, anchoring the TubeBarrier to the ground and preventing it from being displaced by floodwater.
• Watertight Seal: The interconnected modules create a continuous, watertight seal, preventing water from seeping underneath the barrier.

This hydrostatic anchoring principle ensures that TubeBarrier remains stable and effective, even in fast-flowing flood conditions. The system has been rigorously tested by independent laboratories such as TU Delft and Flood Proof Holland, demonstrating its ability to withstand significant water pressure and flow rates.

Rapid Deployment: A Typical Sequence

TubeBarrier is designed for rapid and straightforward deployment. Here’s a typical deployment sequence:

1. Assess the Risk: Identify the areas of your facility that are most vulnerable to flooding.
2. Prepare the Site: Clear the deployment area of any obstacles, such as debris or vehicles.
3. Position the Barrier: Unfold the TubeBarrier modules and position them along the desired flood line.
4. Connect the Modules: Connect the modules together using the integrated coupling system to form a continuous barrier.
5. Fill with Water: Fill the modules with water using a standard hose. The filling process is quick and easy, typically taking only a few minutes per module.
6. Monitor and Adjust: Once the barrier is filled, monitor its stability and adjust its position as needed.

After the flood event, simply drain the water from the modules, disconnect them, and fold them up for storage. The entire process is quick, efficient, and requires minimal labour.

Protecting Industrial Assets: Real-World Applications

TubeBarrier is used in a wide range of industrial settings to protect against flooding. Here are some typical use cases:

• Warehouse Protection: Protecting warehouses from floodwater damage, safeguarding valuable inventory and preventing supply chain disruptions.
• Factory Flood Defence: Preventing floodwater from entering factories, protecting machinery, equipment, and production lines.
• Logistics Hub Security: Securing logistics hubs from flooding, ensuring the smooth flow of goods and preventing delays.
• Perimeter Protection: Creating a perimeter barrier around industrial sites to divert floodwater away from critical infrastructure.
• Internal Flood Control: Containing internal flooding incidents, such as burst pipes or sprinkler system malfunctions.

  ---