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Property Level Protection (PLP), which is also referred to as property level resilience, are measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of flooding. They can be categorised into the following two groups: – Flood resistance measures involve trying to stop the water entering the property in the first place. These can usually be fitted to the outside of a property to prevent or limit the flood water getting in and can include flood boards, air brick covers, non-return valves and pumps, as well as work to ensure that the fabric of the property is sound.
Flood resilience is about reducing the damage to the inside of your property in the event water does enter and speeding up the time it takes to recover after a flood.
Such measures that can be taken include using porous plaster, fitting solid floors or tiled floor coverings, raising electrics to preserve the electricity supply and taking simple steps in a flood event to move furniture and valuable possessions upstairs to lessen the damage flood water can cause.
Yes, we can install flood defence products to most properties. Conservation areas or listed buildings may have restrictions on whats available, and some compromises may be made on options available and their installation. This can include colour coding to match the buildings décor or installation reactive measures which are not visible until deployed.
Commercial properties usually have more or larger openings that require defending, as well as a larger area. This usually costs more money so we recommend, where possible, ways of limited damage if a flood occurs (such as raising electrics or stock).
Some flood defence options have the option to not be visible (such as repointing, water resistance plaster and spray to reduce seeping through the walls). But most flood defence products will require some type of fixing or installation point (such as sump pumps). If visibility is of great importance to you there are passive flood defences options such as flood doors and airbricks that look identical to a regular door but with defences in their structure and mechanisms.
Absolutely! In the case of flood protection products, the Environment Agency recognises the value of BSI Kitemark certification. Following the terrible floods in late 2013 and early 2014 HM Government stated in their 2014 Flood Support Systems Guidance Note: “Where appropriate, all products should ideally carry the BSI Kitemark for flood protection products (PAS 1188) or similar standards”. This is because the Kitemark shows products have been tested to a rigorous and high standard.
The Kitemark is an accreditation given by a private organisation known as the British Standards Institute (BSI). The Kitemark accreditation does not guarantee the installation of the product. Products that carry the Kitemark still need to be installed correctly to stop the ingress of water. A Kitemark does, however, prove that a product has been rigorously tested to be ‘fit for purpose’.
Unfortunately, whichever products are installed, we can’t guarantee your property from flooding (hence the terms mitigation and defence).
Fluvial flooding occurs when rivers overflow and burst their banks, due to high or intense rainfall.
Pluvial flooding, or surface water flooding, occurs when the drainage systems (mostly urban) becomes overwhelmed and the excess water cannot be absorbed.
Most flood barriers are not designed to be left permanently in place as they can cause wear and tear (especially due to the external elements).
We recommend that as a minimum, any products should be inspected or serviced annually (with some products being tested). Also, following any flood event all products are thoroughly cleaned and inspected for damage.
