Automatic flood barriers offer reliable flood protection at all times by activating automatically when the water level rises. These innovative barriers are always ready for operation and efficiently prevent water damage without the need for manual intervention. They are ideal for the permanent protection of buildings and infrastructure, especially in times of increasing weather extremes. Automatic flood barriers are the answer to the challenges of climate change and offer a future-proof solution for flood protection.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic flood barriers offer permanent and independent protection against flooding by activating themselves when the water level rises without external energy sources.
- The systems are low-maintenance and durable, made from high-quality materials that guarantee a service life of up to 20 years and minimise long-term operating costs.
- With a wide range of applications in private, commercial and public areas, automatic flood barriers are an effective solution for preventive flood protection. There are various ways in which effective flood protection can be implemented, including manual and automatic solutions that can be customised.
Floods – a risk to people and property
Flooding poses a considerable risk to people and property. It can be caused by various factors such as heavy rainfall, flooding and dyke breaches. The consequences of flooding are often devastating and can lead to considerable damage to buildings, infrastructure and the environment. It is therefore essential to take preventive flood protection measures to minimise the impact of such natural events. By utilising flood protection systems, the risks and damage caused by flooding can be significantly reduced, ensuring both the safety of people and the protection of property.
Sources of risk: Heavy rain, flooding, dyke breaches
Consequences: Damage to buildings, infrastructure and the environment
Necessity: Preventive measures & modern protection systems
Flood events are occurring more and more frequently – worldwide. They jeopardise property, infrastructure and people’s lives. It is therefore crucial to act early – through prevention, technology and community responsibility.
What is flood protection?
Flood protection is a decisive factor for the safety of people and property. It includes all measures aimed at minimising the impact of flooding on buildings, infrastructure and the environment. Flood defence systems are specifically designed to protect different areas from water ingress. These systems can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple sandbags to complex flood defence systems. The use of such systems can prevent significant damage from flooding, which is of great importance in the long term, both economically and in terms of safety.
- Constructional protection measures: Walls, dykes, retention basins
- Individual systems: Securing doors, windows, access roads
- Temporary solutions: Sandbags, mobile barriers
Whether simple or technically complex – flood protection systems help to prevent the ingress of water and minimise damage in the long term. They are an investment in safety, the environment and quality of life.
What are automatic flood barriers?
- Self-activating on contact with water
- No electricity, no hydraulics required
- Permanently mounted & low maintenance
- TÜV & VdS-certified
- Individually customisable (private & industrial)
These barriers work mechanically – they are raised by rising water and form a tight barrier. In this way, they provide reliable protection without human intervention – at all times.
Automatic flood barriers are advanced flood protection systems that are designed to activate automatically when the water level rises. These flood protection systems are always ready for use as they are statically mounted and permanently installed. An outstanding example is a spillbarrier, a mechanical system that works without external energy sources such as electricity or hydraulics.
These barriers react to water ingress by rising up through floating elements or other mechanisms and forming a water-tight barrier. They can be manufactured in different sizes to fulfil specific requirements and can be adapted to different architectural conditions. This makes them ideal for a variety of applications, from private basement entrances to industrial facilities.
By providing preventive protection against water damage, these systems reduce repair costs in the long term and increase the safety of properties. Their energy-independent operation significantly reduces operating costs. They also fulfil international standards such as TÜV certifications and VdS guidelines, which proves their reliability.
Self-closing flood protection systems
Self-closing flood protection systems offer an innovative solution for flood protection. These systems close automatically as soon as water is detected, providing immediate and reliable protection. They are particularly useful for protecting doors, gates and passageways as they function without manual intervention. Manufactured from robust materials such as steel, stainless steel and aluminium, these systems are extremely resilient and durable. Self-closing flood protection systems are an effective solution for protecting buildings and areas from the devastating effects of flooding.
Classic flood protection vs. automatic systems
| Criterion | Classic | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Manual | Self-closing |
| Current dependence | Often necessary | No |
| Maintenance effort | High | Low |
| Response time | Delayed | Immediate |
How automatic flood barriers work
Step 1: Fluid intake
First, incoming liquid is completely absorbed by all openings in the Spillbarrier.
Step 2: Automatic release
The Spillbarrier is triggered by the collection of leaking liquid in the liquid Spillbarrier tray and floats up.
Step 3: Seal & Retain
Finally, springs fold the Spillbarrier into an upright and tightly closed position.
Automatic flood barriers are crucial for preventive flood protection, especially in times of frequent extreme weather events. They use sensors to monitor water levels and take action in good time. These mechanisms are often based on hydraulic systems that recognise water movements and automatically trigger the barriers as required.
The way these systems work is purely mechanical: the hydrostatic pressure of the water triggers the barriers, which guarantees reliable activation even in the event of a power failure. This means that no manual intervention is required, making the barriers ready for use at all times. This feature makes them particularly user-friendly and reduces the risk of human error in emergency situations.
Due to their ability to function automatically even during power outages, these barriers provide continuous protection without the need for external power sources. This is particularly important in regions that are frequently affected by extreme weather conditions, where power outages are not uncommon.
- Water level rises – e.g. due to heavy rain or flooding
- Sensor / float detects water – pressure is built up
- Mechanism is activated – Barrier folds up automatically
- Waterproof barrier protects buildings & grounds
- No electricity required – purely mechanical operation
Advantages of automatic flood barriers
Certified automatic flood barriers offer efficient and permanent protection against flooding. Compared to mobile systems, which are only deployed when needed, automatic systems offer continuous protection, which is particularly beneficial in emergency situations. They can be activated more quickly and do not require manual intervention, which makes them more user-friendly.
The use of flood barriers can prevent significant damage to buildings and infrastructure caused by flooding. Investing in flood protection makes economic sense in the long term, as the costs of consequential damage caused by flooding can be significantly higher. Low-maintenance systems reduce operating costs in the long term and minimise the risk of water damage.
Another advantage is the seamless integration into existing infrastructures without compromising the aesthetics or functionality of the building. These systems provide immediate protection against flooding and heavy rainfall without preparation time. Overall, these features make automatic flood barriers a particularly attractive solution for long-term flood protection.
Areas of application for automatic flood barriers
Automatic flood barriers offer constant protection, which makes them particularly suitable for areas at risk. Thanks to the automatic function, these barriers can react quickly and efficiently to rising water. This makes them ideal for protecting access points such as basement exits and underground car park exits. In addition, flood-resistant gates can be installed in buildings to provide effective flood protection.
These systems can also be used in industry to protect equipment from water ingress. Application locations also include windows and doors that are located in areas at risk of flooding. In addition, automatic barriers can be installed on loading docks to prevent high water levels.
Automatic flood barriers can be used in various areas, including private homes (e.g. basement entrances), commercial buildings (e.g. underground car parks) and public facilities (e.g. access roads). They are also suitable for special applications such as hazardous materials storage or production facilities. This versatility makes them a valuable addition to any flood protection strategy, including use in garages.
Thanks to their versatility, these systems are suitable for a wide variety of environments:
- Private homes: Basement entrances, garages, doors
- Commercial properties: Underground car parks, loading bays, entrances
- Public buildings: Access roads, storage rooms, technical centres
- Industrial facilities: Production halls, hazardous substance storage facilities
- Windows & doors: in areas at risk of flooding
Tip: Automatic barriers are particularly useful in locations with a frequent risk of heavy rain or flooding.
Maintenance and longevity
Mechanical flood barriers such as spillbarriers are virtually maintenance-free, as no moving parts need to be lubricated or replaced regularly. Regular cleaning to remove dirt, sand and deposits is sufficient to ensure functionality.
High-quality materials such as stainless steel and PTFE seals ensure a long service life for the barriers, even under extreme conditions. Aluminium and polymer components can last up to 20 years with proper care. This longevity reduces long-term operating costs and minimises the risk of water damage.
Systems such as the Anhamm spillbarrier are resistant to corrosion, chemicals and extreme temperatures (-40°C to +50°C). Anhamm offers flexible maintenance contracts to simplify regular inspections and cleaning. Certifications such as TÜV and FM certificates guarantee reliability and durability through rigorous testing. This product fulfils all required standards and is offered in various products.
Regular cleaning is sufficient to ensure long-term functionality – even under extreme conditions. Ideal for long-term use in regions at risk of flooding.
Case Study: France Flood Disaster
Automatic flood barriers have been successfully implemented on the Côte d’Azur to protect the region from recurring flood disasters and inundation.
Examples include:
- Installations in Antibes along the River Brague, which regularly overflows its banks
- In Cannes, where coastal flooding is a frequent problem
- In smaller municipalities such as Mandelieu-la-Napoule, where they have successfully implemented solutions to reduce damage caused by flooding and flash floods.
Thanks to the preventive measures, the region has been able to strengthen its resilience to flood events and minimise the economic consequences of such disasters. The installation of Anhamm spillbarriers has increased the population’s confidence in flood protection and serves as a model project for other vulnerable regions.
Since 2020, the Côte d’Azur has been using folding bulkheads as a preventive flood protection measure. These barriers have been installed in front of public buildings such as town halls as well as private properties to ensure comprehensive protection. The folding bulkheads help to save lives and effectively prevent damage to property by automatically activating when the water rises.
Since 2020, the Côte d’Azur has been reliably protected against flooding with Anhamm folding bulkheads:
- Antibes: Protection along the Brague river
- Cannes: Protection against coastal flooding
- Mandelieu-la-Napoule: Barriers in front of municipal buildings & residential buildings
Result: Higher resilience, less damage, more confidence in flood protection.
Comparison: Automatic vs. mobile flood protection systems
Mobile flood protection can be used flexibly at different locations, but this requires repeated installation work. Mobile systems are often less expensive, but usually offer less protection in extreme flood situations. Automatic systems offer continuous protection against flooding without manual activation and react immediately to rising water.
Mobile systems are only installed when necessary, while automatic systems are continuously available thanks to sensors and self-activation mechanisms. This makes them particularly suitable for stable protection solutions at fixed locations.
While mobile systems offer security regardless of location, automatic systems are ideal for permanent and reliable flood protection solutions. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but in many cases automatic flood barriers offer the more comprehensive and reliable protection.
Während mobile Systeme ortsunabhängige Sicherheit bieten, sind automatische Systeme ideal für dauerhafte und zuverlässige Hochwasserschutzlösungen. Beide Systeme haben ihre Vor- und Nachteile, aber in vielen Fällen bieten automatische Hochwasserbarrieren den umfassenderen und zuverlässigeren Schutz.
Comparison: Mobile vs. Automatic
| Criterion | Mobile Protection | Automatic Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Manual, as needed | Self-activating |
| Installation | Temporary, as required | Permanently installed |
| Reaction speed | Delayed | Immediately on contact with water |
| Operating costs | Relatively low, but recurring | Higher purchase price, cheaper to operate |
Summary
Automatic flood barriers offer a reliable and economical solution for flood protection. They are low-maintenance, durable and provide immediate protection without manual intervention. Their ability to activate automatically when the water rises makes them particularly valuable in emergency situations. Integrating these systems into existing infrastructures can prevent significant damage and save costs in the long term. It is time to invest in robust flood defences to protect properties and infrastructure from the increasing risks of climate change.
Frequently asked questions
How do automatic flood barriers work?
Automatic flood barriers work through sensors that monitor water levels and activate mechanical systems to create a watertight barrier when needed. This technology effectively protects against flooding.
Are automatic flood barriers high-maintenance?
Automatic flood barriers are virtually maintenance-free and only require regular cleaning and occasional inspections to ensure their functionality.
Where can automatic flood barriers be installed?
Automatic flood barriers can be installed in a variety of locations, including private residences, commercial buildings and public facilities. They are particularly suitable for doors, windows, basement exits and underground car park exits.
What are the advantages over mobile flood protection systems?
Automatic flood protection systems offer the advantage of continuous and immediate protection without manual activation, while mobile systems often require repeated installation and can be more inefficient.
How long do automatic flood barriers last?
Automatic flood barriers made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and aluminium can last up to 20 years or longer if properly maintained. It is important to carry out regular maintenance to maximise their service life.
