Flood barriers
The Swedish Noaq company was created for the purpose of developing and selling flood protection systems throughout the world. Working in collaboration with Swedish rescue services, it developed the “Boxwall” which is a thermoplastic, modulable, self-stabilising and mobile flood protection device which can be set up extremely quickly. It is made up of identical section forming tubular barriers that fit together in an “L” shape. The system has been patented in many countries.
Both ultra-lightweight and self-stabilising?
The barriers are made up of reinforced PVC fabric tubes inflated with air, connected at each end using ordinary zippers. An apron is welded to each tube, and it lies on the ground on the “flood side”. When the water rises above the apron, the weight of the water pushes the apron against the ground and thus anchors the tube.
The barriers are made waterproof thanks to foam seals under the edge of each section. In order to ensure that they grip the ground, each section has an expanded rubber base.
Each barrier weighs less than ½% of the weight of sandbags, and only requires 2 to 4 people to place it. 2 people can set up 100 m of barriers in just 50 minutes.
Suitable for all types of surfaces
These tubular barriers are suited for turf, gravel or asphalt and do not require any preparatory works or anchoring devices. This flood protection system using the water’s weight to anchor itself to the ground!
It has received many awards, including the annual SKAPA award for the best Swedish inventions. It is a good example of how plastics can be used to protect Man and his environment from certain natural or man-made disasters.
More information:
http://noaq.com/en
