GB2393473A

GB2393473A - Automated flood protection apparatus using water actuated fuse

Info

Publication number: GB2393473A
Application number: GB0222403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Francis Reakes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-26
Filing date: 2002-09-26
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-26
Also published as: GB0222403D0; GB2393473B

Abstract

A flood protection system 1 includes:- a closure 5 adapted to form a substantially watertight seal about one or more apertures 23; and a water actuated fuse 18 which in response to contact with water causes a fastner 19,21 to release the closure 5 so that a biased hinge member 8 forces said seal. Alternatively, the water actuated fuse (48 fig 8) could cause gas to release from a cylinder (49 fig 6) and inflate a tube (42 fig 8) so that a watertight seal is formed.

Description

1 2393473

FLOOD PROTECTION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an improved flood protection apparatus. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suited 5 to preventing the ingress of flood water through airbricks, door frames and the like.

By their very nature, buildings are prone to the ingress of flood water. Generally, those parts of a building which are particularly vulnerable to flood water are it's apertures; namely, windows and doors.

to As a consequence, when flood water rises, many thousands of pounds worth of damage is caused to property, both residential and commercial, each year. In severe cases, flooding may also result in physical harm to individuals, and even loss of life.

The adoption of flood protection systems has greatly 15 increased over recent years following noteworthy flooding over large parts of the United Kingdom. Conventional flood protection systems employ some form of physical "stop" to act as a barrier against flood water. In order to stem the ingress of flood water into a property, the barrier is placed over a vulnerable aperture in the property, such as a window or door, at the ho onset of flooding. One well-known form of flood protection barrier is a sandbag. Sandbags are kept in storage at a property, and placed against the apertures of the building, at the onset of flooding. Although sandbags are a relatively cheap means of stemming the flow of flood water, acting as

r a physical stop and an absorption means, they are cumbersome, unsightly, and may be inadequate if the flood is particularly severe. Further, the power exerted by water in flood can be sufficient to move sandbags, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Further still, it is a timeconsuming s exercise to take the sandbags out of storage, and transport them to a site where they are needed. The time delay encountered in constructing a barrier using sandbags may result in the sandbags being an ineffective form of flood protection, especially when flooding starts without warning and the flood water rises quickly.

lo To improve the speed at which flood protection can be put in place, and to increase the effectiveness of protection against flooding, many attempts have been made to produce flood protection systems which may be directly fixed to building apertures. For example, United Kingdom patent application publication No. 2357109 describes a domestic flood 15 barrier, incorporating a plastic panel which is directly mountable on the frame of a door. The panel includes a plurality of threaded holes to enable a user to fix the panel to the door frame from the inside of the building at the onset of flooding. Although this system provides a relatively secure barrier against the ingress of flood water through a door, for example, it go suffers from the problem of being cumbersome to store, and time consuming to install.

Attempts have also been made to produce flood protection systems, which are permanently mounted on building apertures, and which

may be conveniently operated by a user, when necessary. For example, United Kingdom patent application publication No. 2249335 describes a flood barrier for a door, incorporating a panel which is locatable in side guides. The side guides are attachable to the frame of the door, and the 5 panel may be slid into position within the side guides by a user, at the onset of flooding. The panel also incorporates a sliding latch, which is locatable in a receiver on the side guides. In this way, when the panel has been slid into its operational position by a user, the latch is snapped into the receiver to ensure that the panel is securely retained in place. It is apparent, however, that such a flood protection system, although providing a relatively secure barrier against flood water, also suffers from the problems of being cumbersome and difficult to install correctly and quickly, and of being dependent upon the user being around at the appropriate time to mount the barrier in place.

Is United Kingdom patent application publication No. 2246156 describes a flood barrier for mounting at an opening in a building, for example, a doorway. The flood barrier comprises a panel having an inflatable tube around it's outer edge. The inflatable tube is mounted behind an associated sealing strip. In the event of a flood, the inflatable so tube may be inflated by means of an air valve. Although the flood barrier described in this document provides a relatively secure barrier against flood water, as with the other prior art documents previously discussed, it's use is

dependent upon the user being present at the appropriate time to attend to

the inflation of the tube.

In general, in a flood situation, there is a tendency to block large apertures such as doors but other, less obvious, equally vulnerable apertures, such as airbricks, are often overlooked. United Kingdom patent 5 application publication No. 2348455 describes an airbrick faceplate for use as a flood barrier. The face plate comprises a rigid plate and an inner sealing means made from rubber or foam. The faceplate may be attached to the airbrick in the event of a flood, by means of a fixing on the faceplate.

The fixing comprises a nut and bolt type arrangement, and to fix the faceplate to the airbrick, the bolt is inserted through one of the holes in the airbrick, and is secured in place by the nut on the reverse side of the airbrick. As with the previously discussed flood protection systems, the flood protection system described in this document cannot be quickly installed and is dependent on the airbrick being accessible from inside the 15 house, whereas the vast majority of airbricks provide under- floor ventilation. Moreover, if a user is not at the house at the onset of flooding, then the faceplate remains non-operational, and does not provide protection against flooding.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an automatic so flood protection system, which overcomes or at least alleviates the above mentioned problems, and which provides improved protection against flood water in comparison to the flood protection systems described above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a flood

protection system including: - a closure adapted to form a substantially watertight seal about one or more apertures; and a water actuated fuse which in response to contact with water causes the closure to form said seal. 5 In a first preferred embodiment, which is particularly suitable for use with an airbrick, the flood protection system includes a fastener adapted to hold the closure in an open inoperative position, wherein the fastener includes the water actuated fuse whereby, in response to contact with water, the fastener releases the closure to permit the closure to move lo towards a closed operative position in which the closure forms a substantially watertight seal.

The closure may be hingedly attached to the airbrick or the wall itself. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flood protection system further includes a frame, which is attachable to 15 the airbrick or the wall of the building, and the closure is attached to the frame, preferably by at least one biased hinge.

Although it is entirely possible that the water soluble fuse may be connected to the frame of the flood protection system, it is preferred that the water soluble fuse is connected to the closure.

so It is preferred that the inner face of the closure comprises a lip, such that when the closure is in the closed position, upper edges of the lip abut the frame to provide a seal against the ingress of water.

More preferably still, the closure includes a peripheral rubber

gasket on the inner face of the closure. In this way, when the closure is in the closed position, the rubber gasket abuts against the frame to provide a seal between the closure and the frame. Alternatively, the closure may include a foam seal substantially covering the inner face of the closure.

5 When the closure is in the closed position, the foam seal abuts against the frame to provide a seal against the ingress of water.

In use, the water actuated fuse is located below the one or more apertures. This ensures that flood water does not rise above the level of the airbrick before the fuse is actuated. It is preferred that the lo water actuated fuse includes an insert ring supporting a water soluble tablet having a hole therethrough. Preferably, the fastener comprises a fastener ring, which may be notched, whereby the water actuated fuse may be snap-fitted into and supported by, the fastener ring.

More preferably still, the fastener includes a hood, which is Is adapted such that it covers the insert ring and in particular the water soluble tablet. In this way, in the event of light rain as opposed to flooding, the water operated fuse is not actuated. Flood waters rise up from ground level, and so will contact the water soluble tablet from underneath the hood. so It is preferred that the hole through the water soluble tablet has a diameter less than that of the head of a typical screw. In this way, in order to retain the closure in its open position, against the action of the biased hinges, a screw or other securement member may be inserted into

the hole through the water soluble tablet in the insert ring, and secured to a wall of the building to which the flood protection system is to be applied.

Alternatively, the frame may further comprise an attachment plate, into which the screw may be secured to retain the closure in the open position.

s When no flood water is present, the closure is held back against the wall by the action of the screw. However, when flood water rises, the water soluble tablet dissolves, and the screw head is no longer retained by the insert ring. At which point, the closure is no longer retained in the open position, resulting in the closure moving from the open position lo to the closed position.

It is envisaged but by no means essential that the water soluble fuse further includes a plurality of reinforcing L-shaped arms, having a base and a flange upstanding from the base. The reinforcing arms are spacedly attached around an edge of the insert ring at the base of 15 the arm. Preferably, the free end of the base of each reinforcing arm is attached to the edge of the insert ring, such that the flange passes through the hole in the water soluble tablet and presses against the water soluble tablet to hold it securely in place in the insert ring.

Preferably, the flanges of the reinforcing arms are biased so towards the insert ring. In this way, when the water soluble tablet dissolves in the event of a flood, the flanges relax to allow the head of the screw to pass through the insert ring.

In a second preferred embodiment, which is particularly suitable for

use with a door frame defining an aperture, the closure of the flood protection system has an inflatable tube extending around at least a part of it's periphery, and an inflation mechanism comprising the water actuated fuse, and a gas cylinder in fluid communication with the tube whereby, in 5 response to contact with water, gas is released from the cylinder into the inflatable tube to inflate the tube and thereby form a substantially watertight seal between the closure and a portion of the aperture.

In use, the closure may be directly attachable to the bottom portion of the exterior of a door. Alternatively, the closure may be mounted within lo a bottom portion of the door.

It is preferred that the closure comprises a rigid plastics sheet mounted within a rectangular aluminium support frame. Alternatively, the sheet may be made from fibre glass. The rigid plastics sheet may be moulded to provide improved rigidity to the closure in the event of a flood.

15 Preferably, the rectangular support frame includes a channel extending around the periphery of the frame. Alternatively, the closure, including the channel, is made completely from a rigid plastics material. This embodiment is particularly useful when the width of the entrance to be protected is relatively narrow.

ho More preferably still, the inflatable tube also extends around the periphery of the closure, and is received in the channel.

It is preferable that an interior moulded surface of the rigid plastics sheet, i.e. that surface which abuts the door when the closure is in situ on

the door, has a flat aluminium cover thereon, which, in the case where the closure is mounted on the exterior of the door, may be attached to the exterior of the bottom portion of the door.

More preferably still, the closure includes a bowed panel, that is, a s panel which is convex in profile, covering an exterior moulded surface of the rigid plastics sheet; that is, the surface of the rigid plastics sheet, which comes into contact with flood waters in the event of a flood. Preferably, the convex panel is made from fibre glass, although any suitable material may be used. The convex panel provides added resistance to the pressure, lo which may be exerted by the flood waters.

Preferably, the rigid plastics sheet is made from a thermoplastic such as high impact polystyrene, although it is to be understood that any suitable rigid material may be used.

It is preferred that the water actuated fuse includes a water soluble 15 tablet, whereby when the water soluble tablet dissolves, gas under pressure in the gas supply cylinder is released from the cylinder into the inflatable tube to inflate the tube. The gas in the gas supply cylinder may be carbon dioxide, although any suitable gas may be used.

Preferably, the water actuated fuse is located towards the base of 20 the closure. This ensures that water does not rise too far above the bottom portion of the aperture, for example, the doorway, before the tube is inflated. More preferably still, the water actuated fuse is located below the base of the closure, such that the fuse is actuated before the flood waters

rise above the level of the bottom of the doorway.

It is preferred that the gas supply cylinder is in fluid communication with the inflatable tube via a conduit tube.

It is preferred that a top edge of the closure includes a cover strip, 5 which extends along the top edge of the closure, whereby the mouth of the channel in the top edge of the rectangular support frame is covered by the cover strip. In this way, closures may be conveniently placed one above the other when in situ on the door, to provide protection against flood waters of varying depths.

lo It is preferable that the corners of the closure within the channel are shaped such that the inflatable tube follows a curved path at the corners of the closure. Such a curved path covers a greater percentage of the area at the corners than for the remainder of the closure. In this way, when the tube within the channel inflates, it does not have to inflate as much at the 15 corners as it would if the tube did not follow a curved path at the corners, to form the substantial seal. This serves to extend the lifetime of the inflatable tube. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: o Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a flood protection system in the open position, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view, showing hidden detail, of

1 1 the flood protection system of Figure 1 in the closed position; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of a water actuated fuse of the flood protection system of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the water actuated fuse s of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a flood protection system in the closed position, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a flood protection lo system in situ in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the flood protection system of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the flood protection 15 system of Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the flood protection system, with the tube in it's uninflated state, along line A-A of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a flood protection system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; :, Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the flood protection system of Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a rear elevational view of the flood protection system of Figures 10 and 1 1.

With reference to Figures 1 to 5 in particular, it should first be noted that an airbrick 3 generally acts as a replacement for a conventional brick in the wall 17 of a building, and provides a supplementary means of ventilation for the rooms and foundations of the building, in addition to the 5 windows and doors. The airbrick 3 includes a plurality of through holes 23, which allow for the passage of air between the interior and the exterior of a building. However, in the event of a flood, the holes 23 of the airbrick 3 also provide a passage for flood water between the exterior of the building and the interior of the building.

With reference to the Figures 1 to 5, the flood protection system is illustrated generally by reference numeral 1. The flood protection system 1 of Figures 1 to 7 includes a frame 2 for an airbrick 3, the frame 2 being directly mountable around the airbrick 3, and airbrick closure 5.

The frame 2 preferably corresponds in shape with the shape Is of the airbrick and in most cases is therefore rectangular in shape, with an upper edge 9, a lower edge 7, and side edges 11. The frame 2 defines an aperture 4 in which the dimensions of the aperture 4 are preferably slightly greater than the apertured surface area of a typical airbrick. In particular, the aperture 4 is usually rectangular in shape and size and is sized such 20 that when the frame 2 is mounted on the airbrick 3, all of the holes 23 of the airbrick 3 are located within the boundary of the frame 2.

Turning now to the airbrick closure 5, this corresponds in shape with the frame's aperture 4 and in the illustrated embodiment is

rectangular in shape. The closure 5 has an upper edge 10, a lower edge 6, side edges 12, and inner 14 and outer 25 faces. The airbrick closure 5 has a surface area which is at least equal to the area of the aperture 4 in the frame 2. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the surface area of s the airbrick closure 5 is slightly greater than the area of the aperture 4 in the frame 2. The lower edge 6 of the airbrick closure 5 is attached to the lower edge 7 of the frame 2 via biased hinges 8. Thus, the airbrick closure 5 is moveable between an open position (see Figure 1), and a closed position (see Figure 2). When in the open position, the outer face 25 of the to airbrick closure 5 lies facing and substantially parallel with the wall 17 of the building, such that the holes 23 in the airbrick 3 remain exposed to allow the passage of air for ventilation purposes.

When the airbrick closure 5 is in the closed position, the perimeter of the inner face 14 of the airbrick closure 5 slightly overlaps the 15 frame 2, and abuts the frame with sufficient force such as to provide a seal between the frame 2 and the airbrick closure 5. In this way, the passage of water through the holes 23 of the airbrick 3 into the building is substantially prevented. The airbrick closure element 5 further includes a rubber ho gasket 13, which is conveniently attached around the perimeter of the inner face 14 of the airbrick closure 5. When the airbrick closure 5 is in the operable closed position, the rubber gasket 13 abuts and seals against the frame 2. It will be immediately apparent that in the alternative, the rubber

gasket 13 may be attached to the frame 2 to seal against the perimeter of the inner face 14 of the airbrick closure 5.

Ideally, the flood protection system 1 is permanently secured in place on the wall 17 of the building. This is effected by means of holes 5 15 in the frame 2, through which a fixing such as an attachment screw 16 or equivalent securement member may pass, and attach in the wall 17 of the building.

The biased hinges 8, which are preferably spring loaded, are configured such that the airbrick closure 5 is biased towards the closed lo position. Accordingly, in order to retain the airbrick closure 5 in the open position, when there is no flooding, a retaining member is used to provide the required holding force to act against the biased hinges 8. Retention of the airbrick closure 5 in the open position is performed by a fastener fuse 18. The fastener fuse 18 includes a ring 27 having a notch 24 therein, and 15 iS attached to the airbrick closure 5 midway along the upper edge 10 of the airbrick closure 5 (which is the lower edge when in the open position).

In order to provide an automatic mechanism for activating the flood protection system, which enables the airbrick closure 5 to move from the open position to the closed position without manual intervention, the so fastener fuse 18 on the airbrick closure 5 further includes a centrally positioned insert 19 inside the ring 27. The insert 19 comprises an insert ring 32 having edges 31 and 35. The insert ring 32 supports a water soluble tablet 33, preferably of salt. The water soluble tablet 33 has a hole

26 at its centre.

The insert 19 additionally includes a plurality of reinforcing arms 28 spaced around and projecting inwardly from the edge 31 of the insert ring 32. The reinforcing arms 28 are L-shaped, having a base 29 by s which each is attached to the insert ring 32 and a flange 30 upstanding from the base 29. The flange 30 of each reinforcing arm 28 is biased towards the insert ring 32, such that the flanges 30 of the reinforcing arms 28 when passed through the hole 26 in the tablet 33, press against the water soluble salt tablet 33 to securely hold the tablet in the insert ring 32.

In this way, the reinforcing arms 28 act as a means for strengthening the fastener fuse 18, and in particular the insert 19, when the airbrick closure 5 is held, against the action of the hinges 8, in its open position.

In order to keep the airbrick closure 5 in the open position, when there is no risk of flooding, a screw 21 is passed through the hole 26 15 in the insert 19, and is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole 22 in the wall 17. The diameter (A) of the hole 26 defined by the flanges 30 in the hole of the fastener fuse 18 is less than the diameter of the head of the screw 21. However, on dissolution of the water soluble tablet 33, the flanges 30 of the reinforcing arms 28, which are biased towards the insert so ring 32, relax away from each other, thereby enlarging the aperture in the insert 19, to the extent that the aperture becomes large enough to allow the head of the screw 21 to pass therethrough.

In this way, the airbrick closure 5 is normally retained in the

open position by means of the screw 21 through the water soluble tablet 33. However, in the event of a flood, as the flood water rises and contacts the tablet 33, the water soluble salt tablet 33 dissolves and frees the head of the screw 21 to pass from the edge 31 (to which the base 29 of the s reinforcing arms 28 are attached), to the edge 35. At which point the action of the biased hinges 8 causes the airbrick closure 5 to move to its closed position, in which the airbrick closure 5 seals against the frame 2.

The purpose of the notch 24 is to provide easy passage of the head of the screw 21 through the fastener fuse 18 as the airbrick closure 5 lo moves from its open position to its closed position.

The sealing of airbrick closure 5 against the frame 2, supplemented by the rubber gasket 13, prevents flood water from passing through the holes 23 in the airbrick 3, which would otherwise cause flooding of the interior of the building.

Is After the flood protection system 1 has been activated and the flood water subsequently subsides, it may be desirable for the airbrick closure 5 to be returned to its open position to enable the airbrick 3 to resume its normal ventilation duties. In order to do this, a user urges the airbrick closure 5 from its closed position, against the action of the biased so hinges 8, to its open position. A replacement insert 19 is then placed in the fastener fuse 18, and the screw 21 is once again inserted through the hole 26 in the centre of the insert 19, and secured to the wall 17, to retain the flood protection system 1 in its open position.

The flood protection system shown in Figure 5 is identical to those embodiments described previously, but for the provision of a lip 20 around upper and side 11 edges of the inner face 14 of the closure element 5a. Those parts of the lip attached to the side 11 edges of the closure 5 element 5a are downwardly sloped towards the lower edge 6 of the closure element 5, such that when the airbrick closure 5a is in the closed position, the lip 20 abuts the frame in a manner sufficient to provide a seal between the frame 2 and the airbrick closure element 5a. Moreover, the lip 20 establishes a labyrinthine passage for the ingress of any water. The lo closure element 5a may also include a rubber gasket (not shown in Figure 6) attached to the lip 20 of the closure element 5a, in order to provide an improved seal against the ingress of water.

Although reference herein is made to a flood protection system having a fastener fuse attached to the airbrick closure, with the 15 screw locating in either the wall, airbrick surface, or a part of the frame, an alternative flood protection system is also envisaged, whereby the fastener fuse is attached to a part of the frame, with the screw locating in the airbrick closure element. Further, a flood protection system incorporating a closure held in side guides is envisaged. In this embodiment, the closure is held so above the one or more apertures by a peg member. In the event of a flood, the soluble part of the water actuated fuse dissolves and permits the peg member to release the closure and thereby allow it to fall under its own weight and thereby form a seal over the one or more apertures. The

system may further include a spring torque mechanism, which pulls the closure down into a closed sealing position.

The flood protection system 1a shown in Figures 6 to 12 is intended for use with a door or the like. The system 1 a comprises a s closure 41 with an inflatable tube 42 extending around the periphery of the closure 41. The closure 41 includes a rigid plastic sheet 43 within a rectangular frame 44. The rigid plastic sheet 43 includes a number of mouldings 45 on it's inner 51 and outer 52 surfaces to strengthen the plastic sheet 43 and make it less likely to bend under pressure from, for lo example, flood waters. The mouldings 45 may be of any suitable formation to afford improved rigidity to the closure 41. The rectangular frame 44 has a channel 46 extending around it's periphery, and the inflatable tube 42 is located within the channel 46. The closure 41 may be made from aluminium, or rigid plastics material, although any suitable material may be 5 used.

An inflation mechanism 47 is attached to the closure 41. The inflation mechanism 47 includes a water actuated fuse 48, and a gas cylinder 49, the cylinder 49 being in fluid communication with the inflatable tube 42. The gas cylinder 49 communicates with the inflatable tube 42 via 20 a conduit 50.

The closure 41 is attachable to either the exterior or the interior of a door 54, on the bottom portion of the door 54. The inflation mechanism 47 and in particular the water actuated fuse 48 is situated

towards the bottom of the closure 41. Ideally, the water actuated fuse 48 is situated below the level of the doorway 53, such that the tube inflates to provide a seal, before the flood waters reach too high a level. When the fuse 48 is actuated, gas is released from the gas cylinder 49 to the s inflatable tube 42 via the conduit 50, thereby inflating the tube 42 toprovide a substantially watertight seal between the closure 41 and the bottom portion of the doorway 53.

The top edge 37 of the closure 41 includes a cover strip 36, which covers the mouth of the part of the channel 46 extending along the lo top edge 37. In providing such a cover strip 36, it is made easier to "stack" more than one closure 41, i.e. place one directly above the other in situ on the door 54, in the event that flood waters are expected to rise to a higher level than can be coped with by one closure 41 alone. The cover strip 36 may be made from aluminium, although any suitable material may be used.

15 When the tube 42 is inflated, it presses against the doorway frame 55 with sufficient force to provide a substantially watertight seal against the ingress of water into the building. As can be seen from the Figures, when the tube 42 is inflated, the ingress of water is substantially prevented both underneath the door 54 and to the sides of the bottom so portion of the door 54.

As can be seen from Figure 9 in particular, the corners 38 of the panel are shaped such that the inflatable tube 42 follows a curved path at the corners 38 of the closure 41. More particularly, the base 56 of the

channel 46 of the closure 41 is curved at the corners to provide for a curved path. In this way, the inflatable tube 42 extends around the curved corners, and does not have to inflate to such an extent at the corners 38 as would normally be required if the corners were right angled, to provide a 5 substantial seal. This is beneficial in that it results in less stress being applied to the areas of the tube 42 extending around the corners 38 of the closure 41 when the tube is inflated. The parts of the tube following a right-

angled conventional corner are more prone to thinning and thus eventual failure. lo With reference to those embodiments shown in Figures 10 to 12, the closure 41 further includes a panel 39 which is convex in profile.

The convex panel 39 covers the exterior surface 52 of the rigid plastics sheet 43. The bowed panel 39 provides the closure 41 with added resistance to the pressure which may be exerted by the flood waters. The 5 inner surface 51 of the rigid plastics sheet 43 is covered by a flat plate, which provides for easier attachment by an appropriate means to the bottom portion of the door 54.

Both aspects of the flood protection system described above are simple in design and by the action of the water actuated fuse, a highly so efficient automated flood protection system is provided, which can be quickly activated without manual intervention.

Although reference has been made in the description to flood

protection systems suitable for use with an airbrick or a door, it will be

apparent that the aspects of the flood protection system of the present invention may be applied to building apertures generally, including, but not limited to windows.

Further and alternative features of the flood protection system 5 are envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A flood protection system including: - a closure adapted to form a substantially watertight seal about one or more apertures; and a water 5 actuated fuse which in response to contact with water causes the closure to form said seal.

2. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 1 particularly suitable for use with an airbrick in the wall of a building, the airbrick having a lo plurality of apertures, the flood protection system including a fastener adapted to hold the closure in an open inoperative position, wherein the fastener includes the water actuated fuse whereby, in response to contact with water, the fastener releases the closure and the closure is caused to move towards a closed operative position in which the closure forms a 5 substantially watertight seal.

3. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the closure includes a hinged member for attaching the closure either to an airbrick or to a wall adjacent the airbrick.

so

4. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 2 further including a frame that is adapted for attachment either an airbrick or to a wall adjacent the airbrick and wherein the closure engages with the frame.

5. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the closure is attached to the frame by at least one biased hinge member.

6. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein an inner face of the closure comprises a lip, the lip being arranged such that when the closure is in the closed operative position the lip abuts the frame to contribute to the substantially watertight seal.

lo

7. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the closure includes a rubber gasket provided on an inner face of the closure such that when the closure is in the closed operative position the rubber gasket abuts against the frame to contribute to the substantially watertight seal.

8. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the closure includes a foam seal substantially extending over an inner face of the closure such that when the closure is in the closed operative position the foam seal abuts against the frame to contribute to the ho substantially watertight seal.

9. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 1, which is particularly suitable for use with a door frame defining an aperture, wherein said

closure is provided with an inflatable tube extending around at least a part of the periphery of the closure, and an inflation mechanism including a gas cylinder in fluid communication with the tube and an actuation mechanism including said water actuated fuse whereby, in response to water 5 contacting said water actuated fuse, gas is released from the cylinder into the inflatable tube to inflate the tube and thereby form a substantially watertight seal between the closure and a portion of the door frame.

10. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the closure lo includes attachment means for directly attaching the closure to a lower portion of the exterior of a door.

11. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the closure is adapted for being mounted within a lower portion of a door.

12. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 9, 10 or 11 wherein the closure includes a rigid plastics sheet mounted within a substantially rectangular support frame.

so

13. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rectangular support frame includes a channel extending around the frame.

14. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inflatable tube is received in the channel of the rectangular support frame.

15. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein 5 said rigid plastics sheet is substantially convex in profile.

16. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15 wherein the water actuated fuse is mountable below the one or more apertures.

17. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16, wherein the water actuated fuse includes a water soluble tablet.

18. A flood protection system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the water [5 actuated fuse includes a hood, the hood being adapted to cover the water soluble tablet.

19. A flood protection system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the corners of the closure within the channel are shaped such that so the inflatable tube follows a curved path at the corners of the closure.

20. A flood protection system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A flood protection system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 6 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.