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NOAQ BW52 2.1 200325
9. Flash flooding
The boxwall can also be used in flash flooding, when water is running fast over the streets.
When this happens the most obvious measure is to protect low entrances and vulnerable
objects by redirecting the water flow toward areas where flooding will cause less damage.
A similar situation can occur when snow is melting, and the water tries to take unacceptable
routes. As for the use in calm water, the boxwall should only be used on firm and even
surfaces.
If water is already running fast at the place of the intended action, a first measure may be
to place a number of boxes in the water flow, to break down the speed of it and reduce its
power. Put the boxes close to each other, facing upstream, but do not try to connect them.
They will be anchored directly by the weight of the water entering upon them.
Behind this protective row of boxes a continuous boxwall is then assembled. When the box-
wall is completed, the front row of boxes can be removed.
This way the boxwall can be used to lead away watermasses in a controlled manner down
the streets, hereby reducing water levels and flood problems upstream. To divert the water
off the street the boxwall may be deployed diagonally. The angle chosen, in relation to the
direction of the current, depends on the amount of water and the speed of it.
10. After use
Disconnect the boxes. By tilting the right hand box (the one with the pin) against the left hand
one, they are easily disconnected.
Rinse the boxes clean using a garden hose or by rinsing them in water, and stand them on
their side to dry (when they are placed on the side the water runs off more quickly from the
pores in the sealing strip). If there is a risk of temperatures falling below zero, the boxes
must be taken indoors and stored in a heated area until all “soft parts” (soles and sealing
strips) have dried out properly.
Inspect all soft parts. Damaged or worn sealing strips can be replaced, but if the soles have
suffered big damage, the entire box should instead be replaced.
The boxes can be stacked to take up as little space as possible during transport and storage.
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