BRE has developed the ‘Resilient House’ to show how practical measures can be installed in a home to prevent flood water entering a property.
Solutions include:
- flood resistant doors and windows
- water resilient walls and insulation
- a resilient kitchen with moveable kitchen units
- floor and wall membranes to channel water towards floor drains
- an automatic sump pump that stops water rising through the floor and disperses water quickly should it get in
- one way valves fitted to the toilets and sinks to prevent flooding via sewers.
BRE says that the measures displayed in the house will not only help prevent flood water entering a building, they will also aid rapid recovery after any flooding, reducing the cost and disruption of repairs.
Stephen Garvin, director of the BRE’s Centre for Resilience, said: “It is not yet normal practice for properties in areas at high flood risk to be made more resilient following a flood. The aim of this project is to show contractors and householders in a tangible way that resilient repair isn’t as challenging or difficult as they may think it is.”
Different types of water resilient insulation have been used in the house including injected cavity wall insulation, thermal board and PUR spray foam. Other practical issues have also been addressed, such as how to improve floor insulation, where to place electric sockets and home appliances and how to seal off areas where water could enter the property.
The project has been funded by the BRE Trust and partners AXA Insurance, British Damage Management Association, Cunningham Lindsey, Natural Cement Distribution, Property Care Association and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
BRE has also launched a new certification scheme and training courses aimed at property flood resilience surveyors.
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