Frequently Asked Questions
ENGINEERING
How are FloodBreak® Automatic Floodgates different from other flood barriers that have been around for so long?
If people and power are not needed, what makes your system deploy?
The FloodBreak flood barrier is designed to automatically FLOAT up, so all that is needed is floodwaters to pool under the buoyant hinged panel and the hydrostatic pressure will deploy the gates without human intervention. View how it works.
Why does the FloodBreak flood barrier float?
The FloodBreak automatic floodgate is actually a buoyant panel constructed of hollow aluminum extrusions. The extrusions are designed to be structural while also providing excellent flotation. Additionally, the extrusions are chambered so that even if an area of the panel is compromised, the overall panel will still float. This is similar to the design of a ship’s hull, where bulkheads protect the ship even if the hull is locally damaged.
Can we put a FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate on an incline/decline?
Absolutely. Placing the floodgate on an incline or decline has no negative bearing on the function of the FloodBreak flood control system. We have installed FloodBreak flood barriers on minor inclines and in cambered roadways. The geometry of an installation almost never prohibits use of our system. We’d be happy to discuss your project.
We have a problem with silt and clay in our floodwater. How does this affect the operation and maintenance of the FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate?
The FloodBreak passive flood barrier system will operate normally with silt and clay suspended in the floodwater. It doesn’t impact the operation – even very muddy water will float the bouyant flood barrier. The system is designed so that debris is washed through to the pan and out the drainage pipes, including during rainstorms and other non-flood water events. Contact us to discuss the specifics on your project.
Can FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates be used to prevent floods from sea water or will the materials corrode?
Yes, FloodBreak gates can be installed in marine applications. All of the components used in the fabrication of our gates are specified so that rust or corrosion are not a factor even in harsh environments such as road salt and salt water.
PRODUCT INFO
What is the expected life of a FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate?
The gate is designed to last as long as the structure it is protecting. Materials are specified for long-term exposure to outdoor, industrial conditions. The units are low maintenance, highly durable, not prone to corrosion, and easy to clean and inspect.
What is the tallest FloodBreak floodgate?
We have numerous gates 12′ with many other tall gates in various stages of design & fabrication. There is no practical height limitation and gates can be designed for wave action loading and other requirements.
What is the longest FloodBreak floodgate?
The longest fabricated FloodBreak gate is 605 feet long. Considerably longer gates are currently in design. The system is built in panels that are each self-supporting so there is no need for stanchions or vertical stops and, thus, no practical limit to gate length or height.
Are there any limits to how high and wide you can build FloodBreak floodgates?
FloodBreak floodgates are designed with tension members rather than stanchions or vertical stops and are modular in nature. There are no practical limits in height or width, and we can provide custom-engineered solutions for any flood problem.
Will we have to lubricate the hinges?
No, the hinges are designed to operate without lubrication even in harsh environments.
What is the material and rated life for the seals used in a FloodBreak floodgate system?
All of FloodBreak’s seals are made from EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer). The blended sheet is a black colored sheet rubber which provides excellent resistance to weathering, chemicals, salts, ozone and UV exposure. It is rated for 10 year service life and can be easily replaced when required. See material specifications.
What are the maintenance requirements for FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates?
FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates are designed for decades of service life in extreme conditions and require minimal maintenance.They are designed to be self-clearing but a power washer can also be used to clean away any debris. We recommend periodic inspection to check the gate panel, pan, and sidewalls for visible damage or misuse. With the gate in the raised position,the gasket, gasket flange bolts and hinges should also be checked. We suggest that spray lubricant be applied to the gaskets. That’s it.
For a longer lengths, can you build a single continuous floodgate?
With our modular approach, we can provide any length needed for your project without sidewalls or breaks in the opening. Depending on the project, breaks may be placed strategically to assist maintenance or make turns in the wall. Floodgate panels can be delivered as a single unit or easily bolted together on site.
DEPLOYMENT
Do you have any real world deployments?
We have thousands of installed FloodBreak floodgates protecting a wide range of facilities including hospitals, commercial buildings, subway systems, municipal properties, apartment garages and campuses. We have installations across the US and globally. Our flood barriers have been tried and tested in the field for over a decade. There have been dozens of verified deployments in real flood conditions including many that have deployed more than once. That doesn’t count the times the barrier floats up and returns to the rest position during a flash flood without personnel noticing it.
Have any of the gates failed?
Since our inception, there has never been flood damage behind a properly installed FloodBreak flood barrier.
Will debris affect the operation of the gate?
The gate and pan are designed to be self-clearing both before and during a flood. Debris is blocked from entering the pan prior to a flood, and the gate and tension members are designed to withstand impact from large objects floating in the floodwater. Drains act to keep the pan clear during normal conditions and to remove the floodwater quickly once a flood has begun to subside. We always recommend checking and clearing the gate after a flood has receded. In over a decade of field deployments, debris has never caused damage or malfunction of our systems.
In the event of a flood, does the floodgate automatically go back down?
It really depends on how much floodwater deployed the gate. If a gate is deployed by a few inches of floodwater, the gate will lower back into the pan when the flood ends. In the event of a major flood, the gate may stay in the fully open position. Some customers request that the gate have a lock to keep it in the open position after deployment so that the area can be checked and cleared after the flood recedes.
Does the floodgate have to be in a fully upright position to stop the flood?
No. The FloodBreak flood barrier will rise with the floodwater, from initial activation all the way to full deployment. The higher the flood, the higher the floodgate rises. The floodgate will hold back the maximum elevation of floodwater it is designed for, though most flood events are far less than the full design elevation.
Can the FloodBreak floodgate be opened before a flood, such as a hurricane?
Yes, FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates can be opened and locked into place before an imminent storm or flood event. The floodgates can be raised into the fully deployed position with human lifting, machine-assist, or a one-button self-contained lift system, depending on size and specification.
