Flood resilience of the built environment PCA Conference 12 May 2016

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Hugh Singleton
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1 Flood resilience of the built environment PCA Conference 12 May 2016 Dr Stephen Garvin Director, BRE Centre for Resilience Part of the BRE Trust

2 Flood resilience Two dimensions It is a technical approach e.g. building design and construction, flood defences, sustainable approaches to drainage, etc It is a non-technical approach policy, regulation, decision making and engagement, etc Resilience in a soft sense can only be developed by creating the conditions within which resilience will emerge

3 A flood resilient system? Urban systems at different scales Single building or infrastructure, street, community, city. Not just technology, but understanding how it works within the system Characterise the system components and where technology contributes to resilience Model impact of technology installation, allow

4 RAIN EXPANSION ZONES FORECAST (receptor) WARNING ALERT Flood resilient systems: spatial Boundary conditions RIVER BASIN URBAN AREA (receptor) QUARTER (receptor) SOURCE STORAGE LAND COVER PATHWAY c BUILDING (receptor) DRY / WET PROOFING RELOCATION ACTIONS ON PATHWAY LAND USE STORAGE PROTECTION STORAGE PROTECTION MEASURES TAKEN UPSTREAM AIM TO: create confidence in likely hazard level at downstream receptor level assess vulnerability at receptor level assess residual risk at receptor level that can be (or not) covered by available solutions (e.g. do I invest in barriers or not? do I move?)

Flood resilient systems: time Boundary conditions RIVER BASIN SOURCE ACTIONS ON PATHWAY RAIN FORECAST/NEARCAST INFORMATION USED TO: RAIN EXPANSION ZONES FORECAST (receptor) WARNING ALERT URBAN AREA

5 Flood resilient systems: time Boundary conditions RIVER BASIN SOURCE ACTIONS ON PATHWAY RAIN FORECAST/NEARCAST INFORMATION USED TO: RAIN EXPANSION ZONES FORECAST (receptor) WARNING ALERT URBAN AREA (receptor) QUARTER (receptor) STORAGE LAND COVER PATHWAY c BUILDING (receptor) DRY / WET PROOFING RELOCATION LAND USE STORAGE PROTECTION STORAGE PROTECTION trigger planned protection/ evacuation/ information measures (already operational) trigger automatic hydraulic/ protection equipment (already operational) trigger measures at building level(manual and automatic)

6 Property Resistance and Resilience flood resistance construction of a building in such a way as to prevent or minimise floodwater entering the building and damaging its fabric - use of low permeability materials. flood resilience measures that can be incorporated into the building fabric and/or fixtures and fittings that can be installed, to reduce the consequences of flood water entering the property Use of sacrificial materials for internal or external finishes, e.g. gypsum plasterboard placed so that it can easily be removed below the flooded level and replaced, or materials that can resist the effects of flooding, e.g. tiled finishes.

7 When to use a resilience approach Deep flood Carlisle mm inside some properties Unpredictable flooding flash / surface water floods Masonry / concrete construction

8 Flood Resilient Repair Why? Reports and guidance produced in past 10 to 20 years BRE, CIRIA, DCLG, industry Demonstration projects Norwich Union / FLOWS, industry BSi new standard BS85500, PAS1188, etc Why now? Still a need to create change, incentivise resilience, etc Create usable standards specific to repair of housing / smaller properties (could be commercial) Create demonstration use to raise awareness, training, etc

9 Flood resilient property flood-resilient material and designs; sacrificial approaches; consideration of hydrostatic pressures/ impact loads on structures; water enter in a property, escape for the building occupants security of building contents during and after a flood; Draining and drying plan Vulnerable elements (such as electrics) can be raised above the expected flood level or removed (avoidance). Exposed elements can made of, wrapped or coated in flood resistant materials (for example use of plastics) or Exposed elements can be made of resilient materials that can accept water without deformation or disintegration and dry quickly afterwards with potential for decontamination (for example cementitious materials).

Defra 2016, with BRE and UWE Practitioners Handbook The Flood-Repairable House Closed-cell insulation in cavity walls Separate heating and electrical circuit for upper floors Sentimental items and

10 Defra 2016, with BRE and UWE Practitioners Handbook The Flood-Repairable House Closed-cell insulation in cavity walls Separate heating and electrical circuit for upper floors Sentimental items and important documents kept upstairs Wall-mounted TV, other valuable items on high shelves Wall-mounted boiler and meters Rising butt hinges, for removable doorsl Electrical sockets above flood level Non-return valve in sewer pipe Plasterboard laid horizontally Tiled floors, with waterproof adhesive and waterproof grout Sump/pump to remove water Kitchen units on legs, concealed by removable kickboards White goods on raised plinths Adapted from original image courtesy of the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership ( Adapted from original image courtesy of the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership (

12 Flood resilience Water compatible walls Water compatible floors Water compatible kitchen fittings, bathroom fittings Building services Doors / windows / staircases

13 Flood resilience research BRE Trust Programme To establish the state of the art in flood resilient repair for existing homes To use develop a range of performance measures that can form the basis of a flood resilient repair standard for existing homes To develop the standard by creating technical guidance, this will provide a range of options that specifiers and builders could take to reducing damage from flooding To carry out a demonstration of flood resilience measures using the Innovation Park at Garston Overall aim increase flood resilient repair, mainstream it!

14 Demonstration Victorian Terrace

17 Demonstration Empty Property Victorian Terrace

Property Flood Resilience-database Innovate UK supported project Project partners: BRE

piece of data which could help them provide more appropriate insurance cover to properties

The project has developed a database (PFR-d), on Property Level Protection and resilience

18 Property Flood Resilience-database Innovate UK supported project Project partners: BRE LexisNexis AXA The project intended to create a means for insurers to find the missing piece of data which could help them provide more appropriate insurance cover to properties in high flood risk areas, or where properties have suffered repeat flooding events. The project has developed a database (PFR-d), on Property Level Protection and resilience of buildings, and a framework for the PFR-d to integrate with surveyors and insurers existing systems.

19 Property flood resilience database Certified surveyors needed Certified installers / installations Backfill 20,000 properties? Future Flood Resilience Grants include PFR-D?

20 Thank you Part of the BRE Trust

PLANS REVIEW CRITERIA - COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

PLANS REVIEW CRITERIA - COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS NOTE: Building Code compliance is the obligation of design professionals and/or contractors. Plan review and inspection guidelines are to be used to ensure