Custom Sized to Suit Your Application

Self-Activating Flood Barrier by Flow Defence

Protect Your Property with the Ultimate in Passive Flood Protection

At Flow Defence, we specialize in delivering innovative, reliable, and low-maintenance solutions to safeguard Australian properties against flooding. Furthermore, our self-activating flood barriers, also known as self-closing flood barriers, combine advanced engineering with seamless design. As a result, we provide unmatched flood protection without requiring any manual intervention.

What is a Self-Activating Flood Barrier?

A self-activating flood barrier is a concealed flood defence system that remains out of sight until it is needed. Specifically, when floodwaters rise, the barrier automatically deploys, creating a secure seal to protect your property. Once the water recedes, the barrier retracts into its underground housing, leaving the area clear and unobstructed. In essence, this technology cleverly leverages the very problem—rising water levels—to trigger the solution seamlessly and effectively.

Key Features & Benefits

• Automatic Deployment: Flood barriers activate solely through rising water levels, meaning no human intervention is necessary.
• Concealed Design: Since the system remains hidden underground during normal conditions, it ensures minimal visual impact and does not obstruct access.
• Durable Construction: Moreover, it is made with marine-grade materials that are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions. These materials, including corrosion-resistant components, endure exposure to saltwater, debris, and fluctuating weather patterns.
• Customizable Sizes: Additionally, barriers can be tailored to accommodate a wide range of dimensions, from small pedestrian pathways to large industrial facilities.
• Low Maintenance: Because the system is engineered for minimal upkeep, components such as floatation chambers and seals are designed to last without requiring frequent servicing.
• Sustainable Solution: By harnessing natural forces for activation, it significantly reduces energy requirements and minimizes environmental impact.
• Trafficability: Finally, when retracted, the barrier is fully trafficable and capable of supporting vehicular loads, making it highly versatile for various applications.

Self-Activating Flood Barrier Technical Specifications

• Material Composition: The barriers are constructed from high-density polyethylene and reinforced with aluminium structural members. As a result, they provide excellent resistance to environmental stressors.
• Deployment Mechanism: As rising water fills a pre-designed chamber, it creates buoyancy that lifts the barrier. This process, which is entirely automatic, efficiently utilizes water pressure to deploy the system.
• Sealing System: The barrier includes reinforced rubber seals and stainless-steel mounting components. Consequently, it ensures a watertight seal against floodwaters.
• Operating Conditions: It functions effectively across a range of flood scenarios, from slow-rising waters to flash floods, thanks to its rapid deployment speeds.
• Design Life: With a minimum design life of 25 years, the system uses materials selected for high corrosion resistance and minimal wear over time.
• Maintenance Requirements: Although the system requires periodic inspections and simple cleaning, its components are designed for easy replacement if necessary.

Applications of Our Self-Activating Flood Barrier

Our self-activating flood barriers are ideal for a variety of applications, including:

• Residential and Commercial Properties: Protect homes, businesses, and high-value assets from water damage.
• Pedestrian Pathways and Driveways: Ensure safety and functionality in frequently accessed areas.
• Basement and Carpark Entrances: Prevent costly damage to vehicles and infrastructure by keeping floodwaters at bay.
• Loading Docks and Industrial Sites: Safeguard operations and inventory during floods, thereby reducing downtime.
• Public Infrastructure and Flood Levees: Enhance community resilience against extreme weather and flooding.

Why Choose Flow Defence?

Expertise and Reliability
With years of experience in flood defence, Flow Defence has become a trusted provider of cutting-edge solutions tailored to Australia’s unique climate and terrain. Furthermore, our products undergo rigorous testing to meet and exceed industry standards, ensuring the highest level of performance.

Moreover, we incorporate precision-engineered components, such as:

• Floatation Chambers: These are calibrated for rapid response and buoyancy.
• Reinforced Guide Rails: They ensure smooth vertical movement and secure deployment, even under challenging conditions.
• Structural Reinforcements: Designed to handle dynamic water pressures and impacts from floating debris, these reinforcements ensure durability and reliability.

Seamless Integration
Whether you are retrofitting an existing site or planning a new development, our solutions integrate seamlessly with your infrastructure. Furthermore, custom mounting options and configurations simplify installation and adapt to a variety of environments.

How the Self-Activating Flood Barrier Works

1. Concealed During Normal Conditions: The barrier remains flush with the ground, allowing unobstructed access for vehicles and pedestrians.
2. Automatic Deployment: When water levels rise, they fill a built-in chamber, which uses buoyancy to lift the barrier.
3. Effective Flood Defence: Once deployed, the barrier creates a watertight seal to block floodwaters. Additionally, guide rails provide stability even under significant pressure.
4. Automatic Retraction: As water levels recede, the barrier lowers back into its housing. Reinforced rails guide this process, ensuring precise alignment and smooth operation.

Maintenance and Longevity

Flow Defence’s self-activating flood barriers are designed for minimal maintenance. Specifically, key features include:

• Non-Corrosive Materials: HDPE, HDG, aluminium, and stainless steel ensure durability, even in harsh environments.
• Inspection Grates: These allow for easy access and regular checks without dismantling the system.

Additionally, periodic cleaning of the chamber ensures the barrier continues to operate smoothly throughout its lifespan.

CONTACT US TODAY

Protect your property with Flow Defence’s world-class flood protection solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative flood barriers, flood gates, and flood protection systems.

Flow Defence™ Innovative | Reliable | Australian

Your partner in flood protection.

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Self-Activating Flood Barrier

How much space do I need?

• Flood barriers are typically installed on the crest of a driveway at the property boundary.
• Councils will not approve barriers installed in the footpath, limiting available space.
• Barriers that move straight up and down during operation require less surface area.
• Tilting barriers need more surface area to operate compared to the Flow Defence™ barrier.

• Traditional tilting barrier:
• Requires a large surface area.
• Larger barriers demand more space.

What happens after the flood recedes?

• Flood water reaches varying depths depending on its intensity.
• Self-activating flood barriers raise and lower according to the height of the floodwater.
• While the barrier floats, it does not require human intervention.
• If the flood barrier remains raised after a flood, personnel and equipment must lower it manually.

• Traditional tilting barrier:
• May remain open during major events.
• Barriers can stay in the open position after severe flooding.

Will debris affect the operation?

• Flood water often carries rocks, branches, sediment, and other materials.
• The FD passive self-activating flood barrier uses robust components designed to withstand debris impact.
• After a flood, debris carried by the water must not interfere with the barrier’s operation.
• If debris becomes trapped in the barrier, personnel and equipment must lift and clean it.

• Traditional tilting barrier:
• Allows large debris to get under the barrier.
• Drains clear sediment, but barriers should be cleared after floodwaters recede.

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