Emerging flood protection tech: Sandbags to Swedish barriers
11:04 AM EDT, September 17, 2024
One of the most popular solutions currently in use to mitigate the effects of floods is sandbags. However, several newer flood protection solutions are available, including barriers produced by the Swedish company NOAQ Flood Protection AB.
Engineers worldwide have been working tirelessly for years to develop the most efficient flood protection tools. Japanese drainage systems, known as the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, or G-Cans, and the giant gates that protect Osaka Bay from floods also deserve attention and admiration.
Barriers produced by the Swedes
Within the European market, it is impossible not to mention the Swedish company NOAQ Flood Protection AB, which offers, among other products, the Tubewall, an efficient flood protection sleeve. In addition, the Swedes offer something equally interesting—the Boxwall, manually erected barriers that are highly durable. The company offers two models: Boxwall BW102 and BW52. The difference between them lies in the height of the structures.
An hour is enough to set up a 328-foot section
The larger model, BW102, weighs about 33.5 pounds per piece and measures 39 inches in height. It is made of polypropylene, making it resistant to potential damage caused by objects carried by floodwater. The material also guarantees thermal durability. The Boxwall can be used in virtually any conditions, withstanding temperatures from -22 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit.
The smaller model, BW52, reaches a height of 20 inches and can "combat" water at that level. The manufacturer claims that the larger version of the Boxwall is quick to set up. Within an hour, a 328-foot section of freestanding flood barriers can be deployed. Individual barrier segments do not need to be anchored to the ground—adhesion is guaranteed by the incoming water.
