Rising water levels, overflowing banks – climate change is causing flooding to become increasingly common. Anyone who wants to protect their property needs effective solutions that can be deployed quickly. Water-activated flood barriers are one such solution: they are lightweight, compact and can be deployed in a flash in an emergency. But how exactly do these barriers work, what are their advantages, and for which applications are they best suited? This blog article gives you a comprehensive overview of water-activated flood barriers and shows you how you can effectively protect yourself against rising floodwaters.
Key takeaways
- Water-activated flood barriers provide rapid protection against flooding by swelling on contact with water and forming a solid barrier.
- Compared to sandbags, they are lighter, reusable, and require no additional filling, making them easier to handle and store.
- The barriers are sustainable and environmentally friendly as they are manufactured without harmful chemicals and reduce waste.
Water-activated flood barriers as flood protection
Water-activated flood barriers provide rapid protection against heavy rain and flooding. Their main purpose is to protect against flooding caused by heavy rain, flash floods, and surface runoff. In a time when extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, quick action is needed to protect against flooding and limit the damage caused by floodwater.
These barriers are lightweight, easy-to-handle elements that swell on contact with water and form a solid barrier. This feature makes them particularly useful in sudden floods, as they can be deployed quickly and efficiently. They significantly reduce response times in emergencies and thus provide robust protection when a rapid response is required.
Thanks to their ease of use and effectiveness, water-activated flood barriers are a valuable addition to traditional flood protection measures. They can play a crucial role in protecting homes, cities, and critical infrastructure from the devastating effects of flooding.
How do water-activated flood barriers work?
Water-activated flood barriers are a quick and easy solution for flood protection. These barriers consist of a polypropylene shell and a filling made of highly absorbent polymer (SAP). When they come into contact with water, they swell and turn into a solid, heavy barrier that effectively blocks and diverts water.
These barriers are activated by direct contact with water, enabling immediate deployment. Unlike traditional sandbags, which must first be filled, water-activated flood barriers can be deployed very quickly, making them an effective solution for sudden flooding events.
Advantages over traditional flood protection methods
Water-activated flood barriers offer several advantages over traditional flood protection methods. One of the main advantages is their ability to swell on contact with water and form a stable, heavy protective wall against flooding. A 5-meter-long barrier can absorb up to 55 liters of water, reaching a weight of approximately 56 kg when activated.
Unlike sandbags, which are often considered disposable products, water-activated barriers are reusable. This reusability increases their lifespan while reducing the need for sandbag replacements, resulting in less waste and a lower environmental impact. In addition, these barriers do not require sand, which makes them easier to transport and store and saves resources.
Another advantage is their environmental friendliness. Water-activated barriers are manufactured without harmful chemicals and are biodegradable. Their special shape prevents them from rolling away, which increases their stability during flood events and thus provides reliable protection.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Expandability | When they come into contact with water, they form a stable, heavy protective barrier against flooding. |
| Water absorption | A 5-meter-long specimen can absorb up to 55 liters of water and weighs about 56 kg. |
| Reusability | These barriers are reusable, which increases their service life and reduces the need for sandbags. |
| Less waste | Reusability leads to less waste and a lower environmental impact. |
| No sand material required | Facilitates transport and storage and saves resources. |
| Environmental friendliness | They are biodegradable and manufactured without harmful chemicals. |
| Stability | The special shape prevents rolling away and offers reliable protection during flooding. |
Areas of application and flexibility
The flexibility and versatility of water-activated flood barriers make them an excellent choice for a variety of applications. They provide effective protection against water ingress in homes and commercial buildings. These barriers can be installed at various entrances to protect homes, offices, and garages from flooding.
A modular flood protection system enables the protection of industrial and warehouse buildings as well as areas at high risk of flooding. The rapid deployment of water-activated barriers can significantly reduce the economic damage caused by flooding. The adaptability of water-activated barriers allows them to be tailored to different entrance types and sizes. These barriers are also suitable for use in historic buildings without compromising their external appearance. Jean Lesage International Airport purchased water-activated barriers to improve its emergency response capabilities in the event of flood-related incidents.
Sustainability and environmental friendliness
A major advantage of water-activated flood barriers is their sustainability. These barriers are reusable and can retain their protective function for several months after activation. This significantly reduces waste and environmental impact, as no additional material such as sand is required.
Future-oriented approaches could include the development of more environmentally friendly materials for the production of water-activated flood barriers. These barriers are practical and environmentally friendly, making them an ideal solution for modern flood protection and research around the world.
Thanks to their reusability and the fact that they can be manufactured without harmful chemicals, water-activated flood barriers contribute to the promotion of nature conservation and climate protection. They are an example of how innovative technologies can help tackle the climate crisis and protect nature.
Economic aspects and cost efficiency
Economic aspects play an important role in the choice of flood protection measures. Here are some important points to consider:
- Water-activated barriers are cost-effective to purchase and use.
- They usually do not require any additional materials such as sand.
- This eliminates the transport and procurement costs for sandbags.
The materials used in water-activated barriers can be reused, making them more cost-effective and sustainable than conventional methods. The material costs are generally lower than for traditional flood protection solutions, resulting in a better cost-benefit ratio.
The use of water-activated barriers can significantly reduce long-term operating costs, as less personnel is required for installation and maintenance. Cities such as Pincourt have increased their flood response efficiency by using these barriers, resulting in significant cost savings.
Insurance premiums can also be reduced by using these barriers, as the risk of flood damage is minimized.
Are water-activated flood barriers an alternative to spillbarriers?
Folding flood barriers and water-activated flood barriers each offer unique advantages. Folding flood barriers are fully automatic flood protection systems that are permanently integrated into the ground or buildings. They are ideal for high-traffic areas such as underground car parks, driveways, or entrances, as they are drive-over and space-saving.
Folding flood barriers offer significant advantages over water-activated flood barriers, especially for long-term and reliable flood protection. These fully automatic systems are permanently integrated into the ground or buildings and activate automatically when the water level rises – without electricity or external energy. Thanks to their robust construction made of materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, they offer high resistance to strong water pressure and floating debris. In addition, folding flood barriers are space-saving and drive-over, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as underground garages, driveways, or entrances.
In contrast, water-activated flood barriers are a temporary solution that swell on contact with water and must be manually placed in the desired locations. This requires preparation time and is less suitable for sudden flooding events. While water-activated barriers are a cost-effective option for smaller applications, spillbarriers impress with their permanent readiness for use, absolute tightness, and long-term reliability—even in extreme situations. If you are looking for sustainable protection, spillbarriers are the ideal solution.
Step 1: Fluid intake
Firstly, incoming liquid is completely absorbed by all openings in the spillbarrier.
Step 2: Automatic triggering
The spillbarrier is triggered solely by the liquid flowing into the spillbarrier tray, where it collects and causes the barrier to float up.
Step 3: Sealing & retention
Finally, the folding partition is folded into the upright and completely sealed closing position by springs.
Summary
Water-activated flood barriers offer a temporary solution for flood protection. They are lightweight, quick to deploy, and environmentally friendly. Compared to traditional methods, they offer many advantages, including reusability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Although ideal for short-term use, spillbaarriers offer a permanent flood protection.
