PAS 1188-1:2014

This PAS specifies requirements for the designation, testing, factory production control, installation documentation and marking for different types and configurations of flood protection products.

This PAS is applicable to flood protection products intended for use in the temporary sealing of building apertures and entrances to properties, including boards and flood doors, in the event of static flood water rising up to a level between 540mm and 840mm above aperture threshold level, except where they are designed to completely cover or replace small apertures, such as air-bricks or air vents. It covers wall aperture closure systems and foam products.

This PAS is intended for use in the UK or locations with similar exposures, i.e. where there is a temperate climate.

This PAS specifies the method of testing and an allowable leakage rate.

The range of building aperture sizes covered is a nominal width of up to 6000mm.

NOTE1 The hydrostatic pressures exerted by floodwater can cause sudden or long-term structural damage and undermine the foundations of a building or cause leakage through the walls, floor or sub-floor, unless the building is specifically designed to withstand such stresses. The actual water level that can be safely retained by the external walls depends upon the construction, type, form, age and condition of the walls. It is advisable that a suitably qualified building surveyor, architect or structural engineer inspects the external walls, before any flood protection product for building apertures is installed.

NOTE2 Flood protection products are not normally intended to prevent water more than 540mm to 840mm above the aperture threshold level from entering the building. An allowance of 60mm has been assumed to allow for the aperture or entrance threshold against which the lower edge of the product seals.

NOTE3 The PAS test conditions given in AnnexB represent typical conditions that can be experienced during a flood. This includes testing the flood protection product for leakage under static water levels, waves up to 0.1m high and parallel currents up to 1.0m/s.

NOTE4 This PAS does not cover testing with contaminated or saline water; however, product manufacturers are required to provide information about the performance of their products in these conditions (see AnnexC).

NOTE5 Flood protection products that conform to this PAS might not be suitable for all situations. Further guidance is set out in Delivering benefits through evidence: Temporary and demountable flood protection guide [2], Six steps to property level flood resilience: Guidance for property owners [9], and guidance can also be obtained from the Flood Protection Association, National Flood Forum or Scottish Flood Forum or other qualified professional advisers.

NOTE6 Extreme loading conditions such as those resulting from turbulent water or static water head (above designated maximum water depth) or debris impact are not covered by testing in this PAS. If required in these locations, the flood protection product and system needs to be specifically designed and/or tested to withstand such stresses.

NOTE7 The flood protection products described in this PAS are, with the exception of some systems such as foam products which provide passive protection, not intended for installations providing permanent flood protection. These flood protection products are installed or activated in the event of an imminent flood and removed or deactivated as soon as danger from flooding is over.

This PAS is not applicable to flood protection products for installation around buildings or other wall sealant systems. These are covered by PAS1188‑3.

This PAS is not applicable to temporary or demountable flood protection products which are designed to be installed away from and not attached to buildings, including flood protection products intended for installation across driveway entrances and gateways at property boundaries. These are covered by PAS1188‑2 and PAS1188‑4.

This PAS is not applicable to penstocks for use in water supply, sewage treatment and other liquid flow applications, which are covered by BS7775.

This PAS does not cover flood resilience products designed to allow flooding but covers those that enable more rapid recovery from flooding. Products covered by this PAS are designated as flood protection products.