Flodef plans large-scale push after BSI approval

Flood alleviation company Flodef plans to move into large-scale manufacturing after gaining BSI Kitemark accreditation for its product last week.
Flodef claims it produces the only flood alleviation system for individual properties, especially in cases where a civil engineering project is not viable. The system's inventor John Lockwood told CJ: "The problem with diverting water is that it can make flooding worse elsewhere."
He described the system as a "roller blind upside down", which protects buildings above and below ground. A flexible membrane is installed underground in a duct around the perimeter of the building. During a flood warning, the membrane is pulled up in sections into supports in the building's walls, and air seals at the sides of each section are inflated. The company said the system can be erected by one person in 30 to 40 minutes.
Lockwood chose butyl rubber for the membrane because of its performance in pond liner applications. UV stability, anti-microbial performance and strength were also important factors.
He said research and development work included eight months getting the product watertight. "I found water to be one of the most caustic substances. Most sealants that claim to be waterproof are only shower-proof. We had to turn to large companies like Bostik Findley and the marine industry to find suitable sealants."
Results were well within the Kitemark standard; the product leaked 0.37 litres/m/h in 900mm of static water.
Flodef's bespoke systems accommodate a building's shape, including windows and doors.
For new buildings, Lockwood said the barrier is sealed inside cavity walls and integrated into the level entrance required under Part M of the Building Regulations.
The system costs between £12,000 and £20,000 to install in a small four-bedroom house, and around £40,000 for a small commercial building, including surveys, installations and training.
The Association of British Insurers estimates there are currently more than two million homes within a flood risk area. Flodef is talking to insurance companies and the ABI about the product's potential.