TM Instructions & Operator Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................................................................................................2 FOUR GOLDEN RULES TO FOLLOW ............................................................................................3 DETERMINING THE HEIGHT AND LENGTH OF REQUIRED WATER-GATE ..............................4 CONNECTING WATER-GATES TOGETHER .................................................................................
RESPONSIBILITY Before using your Water-Gate, it is essential to read the entire user guide and conduct at least one preliminary test. This is meant to ensure you master all the steps required for installing the Water-Gate. The vendor and manufacturer shall in no way be responsible for faulty installation and/or faulty use of the Water-Gate.
FOUR GOLDEN RULES TO FOLLOW 1. Pump the water at the back of the barrier Its important to leave a reasonable amount of space between the building and the back of the Water-Gate. Leave room to install a water pump and be able to move freely. Rain, storm water & water seeping underneath the Water-Gate should not be left to accumulate behind the barrier. Having too much water behind the unit can cause unbalancing issues, so be sure to pump out the access water. 2.
DETERMINING THE HEIGHT AND LENGTH OF REQUIRED WATER-GATE Straight lines are easy to determine, but we recommend adding 1% to 3% of extra barrier length. This slight addition is necessary due to the imperfections of the surface. To go around a building, the calculations are somewhat more complex, but our instructions will help simplify your installation. 1.
CONNECTING WATER-GATES TOGETHER BOTH WATER-GATES MUST BE COMPLETELY UNFOLDED AT THE ATTACHMENT JOINTS. All our Water-Gates, regardless of size (water retention), can be connected together, except for the smallest 6” / 15 cm model, which can only be connected to barriers of the same size. To connect two Water-Gates, a straight surface is required, especially under the joint where the two Water-Gates will be attached. Do not connect Water-Gates together in moving water.
Use the same method to tie together two Water-Gates of different sizes. Make sure the two Water-Gates are aligned at the back. Follow the same directions as in steps 1-5 above. Follow the same directions as in steps 6 above. Follow the same directions as in steps 7 above. The two Water-Gates are now attached. MAKE A CORNER OR CURVING THE WATER-GATE To make a corner or curve the barrier MUST BE COMPLETELY UNFOLDED. Back side of the barrier is the determining length when curving the Water-Gate.
1. Square corner to repel the water: This method is the one most often used to protect a building. The Water-Gate can be curved to all angles, including angles greater than 90º. WATER FLOW BACK OF WATER-GATE 1 - Completely unfold the Water-Gate. 2 - Place ballast weights on the front flap of the Water-Gate and turn to the desired angle. 3 - Pull the material closer and smooth out the top fabric. 4 - You can remove the ballast weights used to make the corner. The Water-Gate should now look like this.
2. Square corner to contain the water: This method is rarely used and is not recommended, but can work very well if you are able to eliminate the infiltrations at the front and especially at the corner of the Water-Gate. BACK OF WATER-GATE WATER FLOW 8. 1 - Completely unfold the Water-Gate. 2 - Place ballast weights at the back of the Water-Gate and curve the barrier to the angle required to contain the water. 3 - Pull the material closer and smooth out the upper fabric.
3. Making a round curve to REPEL the water: Mainly used for winding roads, this type of deployment is generally made using several Water-Gates contained in a crate and pre-connected together. If the curve is pronounced, it is better to completely unfold the rounded section of the pre-connected to make sure the ballast weights are evenly distributed on the ground. BACK OF WATER-GATE WATER FLOW 1 - Completely unfold the Water-Gate. 2 - Give the Water-Gate the desired curve.
3. Making a round curve to CONTAIN the water: Used on winding roads, but in the opposite direction as that shown in the previous figure. If the curve is somewhat pronounced, the rounded erection of the Water-Gate must be completely unfolded. Such particular attention is required to make sure that the Water-Gate is not stretched and to prevent water infiltrations from underneath the steel plates, which will tend to compress and lift up. BACK OF WATER-GATE WATER FLOW 1 - Completely unfold the Water-Gate.
HOW THE ENDS OF THE WATER-GATES SHOULD BE PLACED. The ends of the Water-Gates are not closed off, so they must rise up higher than the level of the flood. Since the water flows freely inside the Water-Gates, the front and/or back sides of the Water-Gates must be higher than the maximum flood water level. The 3 photographs below different options for sealing off the ends. Extra Water-Gate length will also provide maximum safety. Tie off straps where necessary to hold up on vertical walls.
ADHERENCE OF THE WATER-GATE WHEN INSTALLED ON A SMOOTH SURFACE Usually none of these precautions are necessary, but we believe that if you use one or two of these methods at the same time, it would be impossible for the Water-Gate not to stay in place.
The Water-Gate can be installed fairly easily, even in high wind. The wind’s strength isn’t on the ground. Everything higher up that gets taken away by the wind ends up on the ground and eventually comes to a standstill. Since the water barrier gets unrolled on the ground, it is less exposed to the wind than objects further up! The Water-Gate can easily be kept on the ground in very strong wind, however, some additional precautions do have to be taken.
ELIMINATION OF WATER INFILTRATIONS UNDER THE BARRIER The secret of an effective Water-Gate installation starts be reducing water infiltrations under the Water-Gate to a minimum. To do this, it is important to remove any object underneath the Water-Gate in order to evenly place ballast weights on top. The Water-Gate could suddenly lift up due to waves or something, which would cause significant infiltrations at the corners.
It is hard to determine the number of pumps needed and their required capacity, but we do recommend having a minimum of 2 pumps, one for the basement and the other to put between the wall of the building and the protective dam. For water getting through your dam, you will need a pump with a capacity of 1/2 gal to 3.75 gal per min for each linear yard of dam.
5 - Roll up on the side opposite to that of the instruction banner. 6 - After being properly rolled up, the Water-Gate should look like this. MAINTENANCE It is strongly recommended to wash and dry the Water-Gate after use, before storing it. This allows you to check for any damages that may have occurred during use. Cleaning the product with a pressure washer is strongly recommended.
STORAGE The Water-Gate can be piled one on top of the other, upright or flat, without this hampering their deployment. However, storing the Water-Gate in a vertical position is highly recommended to maintain its shape when rolled up. We don’t recommend setting the Water-Gate directly on a damp surface. It is best to lay on a wooden pallet. If there is water trapped inside the Water-Gate during storage, this will not affect product longevity as long as the water is dirt free.
TECHNICAL FABRIC SPECIFICATIONS Fil l p ar W The technical specifications in the chart below are minimum requirements for all specified properties. These specifications enable us to guarantee out durability standards, which are three times higher than required. You have our assurance that in the majority of cases, our fabrics are much more resistant than the specifications outlined below.
BEHAVIORS AND STRETCHING OF THE PARTITIONS In this illustration, it can be seen how we each partition behaves to the increasing water pressure inside the Water-Gate. These partitions prevent the upper canvas from tipping backwards. Via the components principle of equilibrium of forces. The partitions of the Water-Gate are made of non-expandable polyethylene; A rigid material recognized for its strength. Thus, due to this concept, it is impossible that the distribution of tensions between each partition.
DISCHARGE OF WATER DUE TO THE PRESSURE When the Water-Gate is filled with water, the pressure it distorts the straight portions of that upper canvas and the background to make rounded aspects between each partition. The pressure exerted on the upper canvas raises the partitions leaving a discharge space so that the incoming water is not trapped below the surface of the Water-Gate. Thus, this space acts as a discharge path much like those of a tire tread pattern or the sole of a boot.
IMPERIAL SYSTEM Example for model WL-26 (26½ inches of water retention) Therefore: 26½” - 6” = 20½ inches of pressure (or column of water) For each inch³ of pressure, we must calculate 0.0362 pound. Therefore: 0.0362 x 20½ = 0.742 lb The distance between each partition is 12 inches Therefore: 12” x 0.742 = 8.904 pounds (The maximum point of tension on the barrier). The security margin must be at least 3 time higher. Therefore: 8.904 x 3 = 26.71 pounds of tension.
CALCULATION OF INSTALLATION TIME A Water-Gate stored in a crate can be deployed in a straight line at the speed of someone running a marathon, that is approximately 19 km/h (or one 15-m/50 foot barrier every 3 seconds), regardless of Water-Gate width. However, if you have to bend or tie a Water-Gate or make a corner at an angle, you will have to completely unroll the Water-Gate and add the estimated time based on the Water-Gate width and type of application.
SIZE AND WEIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WATER-GATES (With storage bag) WL-0630 WL-1430 WL-1450 WL-2030 WL-2050 WL-2630 WL-2650 WL-3930 WL-3950 WL-5050 WL-6050 40 x 38 x 26 H 16” x 15” x 10½” H 38 x 106 x 25 H 15” x 42” x 10” H 48 x 106 x 30 H 19” x 42” x 12” H 17” x 29” x 12” H 43 x 74 x 30 H 22” x 29” x 14” H 56 x 74 x 35 H 40 x 104 x 28 H 16” x 41” x 11” H 56 x 104 x 36 H 22” x 41” x 14” H 46 x 117 x 33 H 18” x 46” x 13” H 61 x 117 x 40 H 24” x 46” x 16” H 66 x 127 x 46 H 26” x 50” x 18” H 76 x 127 x 51 H 30” x 70
A few examples of the size of the areas required for crated Water-Gates Barrier model Outer dimension of crate (water retention) A B C WL-0630 15 cm / 6 in 50 cm 20 in 60 cm 24 in WL-1450 35 cm / 14 in 1.12 m 44 in 1.12 m 44 in 1 m / 3’-3” 5 m / 16’-5” 2.5 m / 8’-3” 5 m / 16’-5” WL-2050 1m 1.12 m 50 cm / 20 in 40 in 44 in WL-2650 67 cm / 26½ in 1.20 m 47 in 1.12 m 44 in WL-3950 1 m / 39 in 1.36 m 54 in 1.12 m 44 in WL-5050 1.3 m / 50 in 1.70 m 67 in WL-6050 1.
If a wall or a tree falls on the barrier during a flood, what solution do you propose? The Water-Gate will simply wrap itself around the object that fell on it and only a small amount of water will go over the Water-Gate. All you have to do is remove the fallen object, and the Water-Gate will regain its original position. The risk of tears from an object falling on the Water-Gate is pretty low. Should there be a hole or a tear, it can easily be repaired be placing a piece of fabric inside the Water-Gate.
Mud with rocks of average size Mud with large rocks Mud with large rocks Mud with any rock of imporance Mud with rocks of average size Mud with rocks of average size Mud with any rock of imporance Mud with any rock of imporance Illustration Mud with no large rocks A Mud with medium rocks B Mud with large rocks Mud with medium rocks Mud with no large rocks C Mud with large rocks Mud with medium rocks Mud with no large rocks If the Water-Gate is left for several months or even several years in
What about leaks from the Water-Gate system? No flood control system is 100% leak proof. Even if a system were completely watertight, there would be leaks through the ground from waste pipes, in addition to rainwater falling on the part of the ground that you are trying to protect. Water leaking through the Water-Gate generally flows under the Water-Gate. Leaks occur because of the unevenness of different surfaces.
NOTES INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 28.
Absorbent Specialty Products 51 Abbott St. # 2 Cumberland, RI 02864 401-722-1177 - 888-761-4405 www.quickdams.com www.absorbsp.com Copyright: This material constitutes a literary work protected by international copyright laws. They have been amended & updated by Absorbent Specialty Products. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of Absorbent Specialty Products is strictly forbidden under penalty of law.
