TESTING
The Flood Ark Protection System offers peace of mind by having been extensively tested and passed by both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and Aston University.
The Flood Ark Protection System meets the specifications required by PAS 1188-1:2003, which represent typical UK flood conditions. It has been successfully tested for resilience against 4" waves and current with a flow of 6,000 gallons per minute by the BSI.
With the help of Aston University's Department of Civil Engineering, the Flood Ark Flood Protection System's watertight capability and strength has been tested to a depth of 1100mm (or 3 feet and seven inches) and to a pressure of 5KNpm (or about 3 tonnes!).
Report Summary:
Report on UPVc-Extruded Boards Flood Protection System
prepared by M. Sadegzadeh BSc MBA PhD C Eng MICE
Flood Protection System components:
Lightweight, non-corrosive powder coated aluminium frame section - 50mm x 50mm
UPVc-extruded boards - 30mm x 200mm (1090mm in length)
Overall frame dimensions - 1100mm x 1050mm
Test-specific experimentally designed tank:
A steel water tank - 2500mm x 1250mm x 1250mm was constructed with a 930mm x 1000mm open front. Open front section building brick-lined to represent a typical house front with doorway.
Procedure:
Flood Protection System frame fixed in front of the tank-opening. The first UPVc board was fitted into place and the tank was filled with water up to the height of the first board section (approx. 200mm).
Visual examination carried out to detect any leakage. Procedure then repeated with further boards and water added, up to a level of approximately 1100mm. (At this water level, UPVc sections exposed to a uniform pressure of 5KN per metre run.)
Results:
Visual examination of system found that all sections were in perfect condition with no signs of damage or distress. No leakage found either between UPVc boards or from sides or bottom of sections.
Test Duration:
Approximately 24 hours.
Conclusion:
UPVc boards found to be lightweight, easily assembled, extremely strong and watertight up to 1100mm head of water.
Based on the given results, the Flood Protection System can provide effective flood protection in situations similar to the test conditions used here.
Floodline and the environment agency supports the Kitemark scheme as they have been independently tested and approved fit for purpose.
American Testing
The barriers have also been tested in the United States for flood and hurricane resilience. Our system was tested under extreme wind pressure, missiles were also propelled against the boards, simulating debris thrown around during a tropical storm or hurricane.
Our system meets the Florida Building Code test protocols for high velocity hurricane zones, and American Society for Testing and Material performance tests.
American standards
FBC – testing application standards 201, 202, 203 qualifying Dade county
ASTM – performance test standard E1886-02