Flooding Tank Ready For Testing

• News
• Published: 02 Feb 2010 in Household and Home Insurance

A simulator half the size of a football pitch containing a replica living room will be used to test anti-flooding products at a site in Oxfordshire.

The replica room inside a massive water tank will be fitted with various flood products like door gates or air brick covers so their effectiveness in keeping water out can be tested. A severe flood will be simulated with thousands of gallons of water flooding the tank.

The aim of the project is to ensure products are robust and effective so they can receive a Kitemark symbol showing they meet industry standards before they are put on the market.

One in six homes in England and Wales were at risk of flooding and the number is likely to rise with climate change, said the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management.

The new facility and industry standard will help householders make informed choices and give them confidence in the flood products they buy, and encourage new product development, Robert Runcie said.