Flood Control International has recently installed and successfully tested flood barriers and floodgates for the ‘Water of Leith Flood Protection Scheme’ in Edinburgh. The design and build contract commenced in 2012 and includes a number of innovative floodgates as well as various lengths of demountable barrier.
New Floodgate Design
The five sets of floodgates required for the scheme include two pairs of ‘double bi-fold gates’, up to 2.5m in height and 6m span, which close across a road in the event of flood. The gates need to operate on a level surface, with no ramps or steps that could be a danger to motorists or cycliists. Double bi-fold gates were chosen so that when open they present a minimal visual outline. FCI’s senior designer, Andrew Yates, stated, “The design of these large gates was a challenge in terms of maintaining operability whilst ensuring watertight dependability.”
Demountable Barrier Tested
The contract called for a number of lengths of demountable flood barrier across roads and on top of the new river wall. Special supports were designed that would not affect the listed walls on either side of the openings, with all of the supports and barrier beams being fully removable when not required. Road-going storage trailers have been designed to facilitate getting the flood defence equipment to the site quickly. On the river wall section, bespoke storage was designed to house the barriers in the wall itself.
Successful testing was carried out on the demountable sections – in terms of leakage as well as erection times. Indeed, testing undertaken at the British Research Establishment has shown leakage rates for our flood barriers to range from 1% and 15% of the allowable rates specified in the British Standard PAS 1188-4, for depths up to 1.5m.
Tim Collingwood, FCI’s Managing Director stated, “Our innovation in designing the right solution for a given application, combined with the quality and dependability of our implemented flood defences delivered through 18 years’ experience is a fundamental factor in our continued growth. Over 50% of our business is delivered to existing long-term clients and this is only ever achieved through trust in the service we provide and the solutions we deliver.”
