Technical Downloads
Passive Vent Flood Protection
FloodBreak designs flood protection solutions for building vents, whether above or below grade, and ground-level vent shaft openings. These horizontal vent systems and vertical vent systems use the same passive technology as our standard flood barriers.
During dry times, the vent systems stay open to allow air flow to continue as normal. When flooding occurs, the bouyant panels close automatically to prevent flood inundation.
Only panels affected by the water will close and once the floodwater recedes, the panels reopen automatically.
A Permanent, Customizable Flood Solution
Designed for long service life with minimal maintenance and field-tested in harsh, real-world conditions, these vent systems can be custom-sized to fit virtually any vent opening and can be designed to be inboard duct work, inside vent shafts or face-mounted to buildings.
New York City Transit (NYCT)
– New York City, NY
Safeguarding NYC’s Subway with FloodBreak’s Vent Protection for MTA – NYCT
Kruger Energy
– Quebec, Canada
Kruger Energy Installs FloodBreak Passive Flood Vent System at Quebec Hydro Power Plant
Passive Flood Protection For Wall Vents
The FloodBreak horizontal vent system (FB-HVS) is a passive automatic flood mitigation device that provides 24/7 flood protection for vulnerable fan plants, air intake and exhaust vents, ducts, and window openings.
- Fully passive automatic – No People. No Power.
- 24/7 flood protection for vents, ducts, and windows.
- No size limitations; can be placed deep underground.
- Custom-designed to meet project loading and airflow requirements.
FloodBreak horizontal vent system activates only when needed: using buoyancy, not people or power, to seal openings and prevent flood inundation. Only the panels affected by the water will close, allowing air to continue to flow. When the floodwater recedes, the system reopens automatically.
The wiper seals stop the water from going around the deployed panels. The shelves drain through automatically. There is no additional drainage required to clear.
Installation is simple and the devices provide passive flood protection with minimal maintenance for decades.
Seeing is Believing:
See how the FloodBreak passive flood vent protection system deploys and reopens without human intervention or power.
Passive Flood Protection For Wall Vents
The FloodBreak horizontal vent system (FB-HVS) is a passive automatic flood mitigation device that provides 24/7 flood protection for vulnerable fan plants, air intake and exhaust vents, ducts, and window openings.
- Fully passive automatic – No People. No Power.
- 24/7 flood protection for vents, ducts, and windows.
- No size limitations; can be placed deep underground.
- Custom-designed to meet project loading and airflow requirements.
FloodBreak horizontal vent system activates only when needed: using buoyancy, not people or power, to seal openings and prevent flood inundation. Only the panels affected by the water will close, allowing air to continue to flow. When the floodwater recedes, the system reopens automatically.
The wiper seals stop the water from going around the deployed panels. The shelves drain through automatically. There is no additional drainage required to clear.
Installation is simple and the devices provide passive flood protection with minimal maintenance for decades.
Seeing is Believing:
Click Here to see how the FloodBreak passive flood vent protection system deploys and reopens without human intervention or power.
Passive Flood Protection-Vertical Vents (FB-VVS)
The FloodBreak vertical vent system provides the same passive automatic protection as our horizontal vent system but designed for underground vent bays and rooms vulnerable to flash floods. Originally developed for the MTA–NYCT, our passive, automatic vertical vent protection system helps protect subway and underground vent shafts while allowing air to flow freely during daily operations.
When flooding occurs, water enters the system and automatically lifts the buoyant panels, sealing on all 4 sides, to fully hold the flood water above ground. Water drains through a small weep hole in the bottom of the unit. The system clears quickly after a flood, allowing airflow to resume as soon as the water recedes.
The FloodBreak vertical flood vent system’s passive design makes it applicable to any underground vent shaft anywhere in the world – in any geography, climate, or infrastructure type.
View the 3D-Animated Video
