NEW GUIDANCE ON IMPROVING THE FLOOD RESISTANCE OF PROPERTIES

26 February 2002 36/02

A new guide that advises homeowners, small businesses, planning authorities and developers how to make properties more resistant to flooding has been launched today.

“Preparing for floods” is the result of a one-year DTI ‘Partners in Innovation’ project supported by the Environment Agency and other organisations interested in reducing the impact of flooding. The guidance presents best practice in local flood protection to buildings. It explains how barriers can be used to prevent water entering a property and the ways in which building materials and construction techniques can be used to limit flood damage.

Environment Agency Chairman Sir John Harman said: “The new Guide forms an important part of our Flood Awareness Campaign. It underpins the Campaign’s main message that you can’t prevent all flooding, but you can prepare for it. While the Environment Agency is of course responsible for the main flood defence infrastructure, this cannot protect against all the risks to property of flooding. The Guide helps people to address these remaining risks with local flood protection.

“Where there is a significant risk of flooding to property, there are many practical measures that can be taken with local flood protection to reduce the cost of flood damage and to speed up recovery times. In particular, this guide should now secure the use of flood-resistant construction techniques in any new development where there is a risk of flooding in extreme events.”

In developing the Guide, the project team drew on material from abroad as well as the UK – notably the United States, where similar guidance supports their approach to managing flood damage. The new guidance sets out a logical process of first assessing the likelihood and consequences of flooding, and then assessing the best option for local flood protection.

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With existing buildings, this will usually involve the use of a proprietary flood barrier. The Environment Agency lists basic information on these on its “Floodline” website. Linked to this, the Agency has encouraged the development of a recognised trade association of manufacturers and suppliers of flood protection products - the Flood Protection Association – and is supporting a further DTI project to establish an assessment scheme to ensure product quality.

With new buildings or significant redevelopment schemes, preferred options are likely to involve positioning the floor level or main living / working area above expected flood levels. Flood resistant materials should be specified in any area that might be flooded. There is a clear preference for solid concrete floors, although of course these can have an attractive finish.

In all cases, it is essential that occupants have a flood management plan setting out the immediate steps – such as installation of barriers - to be taken should a flood warning be given. Clearly there is a lot of information for the public to take in about preparing for flooding. The Agency is supporting the establishment of the National Flood Forum, which will help to promote an appreciation of local flood awareness issues among communities at risk of flooding.

The Guide is published by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. It was co-funded with the Environment Agency, the Department for Trade and Industry, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive, the Association of British Insurers, the House Builders Federation, and the National House Building Council. Copies available free of charge from the Agency’s 24 hour Floodline 0845 988 1188.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

• The Guide addresses the recommendation made by the Parliamentary Select Committee for the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs in February 2001 that “…flood-proof construction techniques should be encouraged for use in developments in urban areas at risk of flooding. Advice should be issued by the Government for use by planning authorities when placing conditions on planning permissions and should be incorporated into the Building Regulations. Such advice should include how more sustainable construction techniques can be fitted into existing properties.”

• The guide is clearly not intended to facilitate inappropriate development within flood plains. It is intended for use only in those cases where the location of the building is justified under the conditions set out in the new Planning Policy Guidance (PPG25) on Development and Flood Risk.

• The guidance document “Preparing for Floods” is available through the Environment Agency’s 24-hour “Floodline” which can be reached on 0845 988 1188. The document is also available through the Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline. There is a hotlink to the Guide on www.safety.dtlr.gov.uk/bregs/index.htm.

• The Guide complements the existing Environment Agency guide on "Damage Limitation - How to make your home flood resistant" which focuses on simple inexpensive temporary measures that householders can take to protect existing property form flooding.

• The Project Team involved in drafting the Guide was led by WS Atkins. Support was provided by the Building Research Establishment, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), HR Wallingford, manufacturers and suppliers, Environment Agency and other operating authority staff, and flood victims and representative groups.

• The further DTI project to establish an assessment scheme for flood protection products and the links with the Flood Protection Association are being co-ordinated by HR Wallingford – Contact: Pam Bowker (p.bowker@hrwallingford.co.uk), River & Urban Catchments Group, HR Wallingford, Howbery Park, Wallingford, OX10 8BA. Tel: 01491 – 8222425.

• One of the Environment Agency's key aims is for people in flood risk areas to take effective action to reduce the devastating effects of flooding. The Agency is working in partnership with the National Flood Forum, a newly formed flood residents group, to establish a national network of community groups to improve community responses to flooding. Contact the Forum at bewdley-flood@lineone.net

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