Standing Strong: Why FCA Flood Barriers are 100% Unshakable
Andreas Klippe no responses January 19, 2018
(We are presenting a part of a longer series about Flood Control Asia RS flood barriers. Each exposé deals with our flood barriers’ special feature which you cannot find elsewhere.)
In our previous review of Flood Control Asia RS (FCA) flood barriers, we told you how water pressure endangers lives and properties during flooding. Of course, we did not leave you gaping in the air, since we presented the FCA flood barriers as effective defenses against strong floodwater pressure.
We know you are not contented yet. We know you need more comprehensive proof that FCA flood barriers can really stand against crashing floodwaters and the debris they carry.
Our response is simple:
FCA’s flood barriers have one secret why nothing can pin them down – they stand on strong foundations.
The FCA flood barriers have components that give them a foundation stronger than those of our competitors. Engineers give this “foundation” a variety of names: base, footing, backbone, pillar, or even cornerstone. Whatever name you give it, we can proudly claim that our flood barriers are built on a solid foundation that even the most threatening flood cannot shake.
Let’s Go into Details: How FCA Flood Barriers Stand their Ground
Let’s “dissect” the FCA flood barriers’ components so you can see for yourself how they stand against flood:
The Powerful Tandem of Anchor Plates and Ground Beams
Flood barriers must be properly anchored to the ground so they can resist the strongest push coming from floodwater.
The perfect combination of ground beams and anchor plates form the foundation of FCA’s flood barriers. Together, these two make up a sturdy base that can resist strong impacts.
For this to be possible, the FCA flood barriers are firmly attached (screwed) to metal slabs called anchor plates. Partly submerged on a concrete floor, these anchor plates have holes on their corners where the flood barriers’ side channels and middle posts are attached via screws.
The anchor plates are further attached to the ground through anchor sleeves. These anchor sleeves are long threaded metal rods that fastens firmly the anchor plates to the ground; hence, giving the flood barriers a stronger foundation.
Anchor plates are like “claws” that firmly hold the barriers to the ground.
The abovementioned metal slabs works only for side channels and middle posts (the vertical beams that hold the aluminum flood barriers).
Ground beams have a slightly different story. They are long metal beams placed horizontally on a concrete floor (partly submerged like the anchor plates) to provide a smooth surface for the aluminum barriers.
Aside from providing strong support, the ground beams can also give the barriers a smooth point of contact to the ground.
On a closer look, the underside of an aluminum barrier has a rubber seal that prevents even the slightest water leak. This rubber seal comes in contact with the ground, and as the aluminum barriers are pressed down, the rubber seal is squeezed to the point of being watertight.
However, the rubber seals won’t be as watertight as they are supposed to be if the ground has an uneven surface; hence, there is a need for a smooth metallic beam.
More than that, the ground beams strengthen the flood barriers’ foundations. Together with the anchor plates, they work as a secure ground on which the flood barriers and their holders stand.
Anchor plates and ground beams are an optional feature of the FCA flood barriers. Anchor plates are used only in large installations, where there is a longer and taller flood barrier. On the other hand, the ground beams are used only when a smooth (ground) surface is lacking.
The Back Brace’s Actual Support Against Water Force
Now that the anchor plates and ground beams are set in place, another reinforcement comes — the back brace.
Back braces function as much as a spinal column does. It resists all horizontal forces that come in contact against the barriers.
Sometimes, especially in cases of very strong surge of floodwater, even the side channels and the middle posts are insufficient.
To prevent instances of indentation due to strong water force, a back brace is placed on the backside of aluminum panels. This back brace is installed vertically in a fashion that resembles the middle post — except that the back brace does not hold the flood barrier like a middle post; it is there only for support.
Let’s make concrete comparison:
Imagine a huge kite you are making for summer. It’s a bad decision to place sticks or beams only on the kite’s edges. Chances are, the strong winds will rip your kite because there was nothing supporting it in midsection.
The same is true for the back braces. Though we are confident that the flood barriers are extremely durable, we don’t want to take risks. After all, it’s better to be safe (and strong) than to be sorry.
Back braces can support flood barriers that are as high as 4 meters (the height of floodwater where the real danger comes in as explained in our previous post).
Like the anchor plates and the ground beams, the back braces are an optional feature which is commonly applied in large installations.
Hilti Threaded Sleeves’ Affordable and Safe Alternative
If you are low on budget and cannot afford the full set of anchor plates, FCA flood barriers has a less costly but safe alternative for you.
Why do they have to be threaded? Sleeves without threads do not produce friction; therefore, they can easily be uprooted from the ground.
With the Hilti threaded sleeves, you can have strongly constructed flood barriers without necessarily spending beyond your budget.
Hilti’s threaded sleeves are long metal rods that function as receptacle of the side channels’ screws. These threaded sleeves are submerged to the concrete ground so they can function in almost the same way that the anchor plates do.
Hilti Corporation itself explains that the threaded sleeves are zinc-plated, which makes them resistant to rust and all sorts of corrosion.
But of all brands, why use Hilti?
A review of Hilti’s products (other than the threaded sleeves) revealed that the brand is trustworthy. It has been a manufacturer of high-quality tools for years and is constantly innovating their products.
Lastly, the Hilti Corporation is a Liechtenstein company. Thus, its products’ quality are closest to that made by the Germans. Talk about German technology!
Bring the world’s toughest flood barriers into your homes!
In consideration of water pressure resistance, a strong foundation is what other flood barriers lack. Most of the flood barriers you find on the market are simply “installed” without proper reinforcements.
Satisfied clients can prove that the protection provided by the barriers are unparalleled. This protection comes from the combination of various components, but one of the most important factor is a strong ground foundation.
Such is not the case with FCA flood barriers. Our flood barriers are installed securely with a perfectly engineered foundation.
As we’ve mentioned, we’re offering you a wide array of options — from the anchor plates, the ground beams, the back braces, and the threaded sleeves — so you can rest your minds when a storm surge comes ravaging into your comfort zones.
What’s left to be done is to bring the FCA flood barriers into your homes! The flood barriers’ solid foundations will keep you safe and sound no matter what.
Keep watching out for more!
In case you are still skeptic with our quality, we will send you more exposés about the FCA flood barriers. Watch out for them in the coming days as we continue to prove that FCA flood barriers are perfectly made — just for you!
