Abstract
Aim: The article aims to summarize and systematize information about temporary flood protection measures.
Introduction: The article broaches the difficult issue of flood protection and describes flood incidents with an illustration of types, by grouping incidents according to size and origin. It also presents a brief overview of the most important European and national laws such as: Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and European Council, dated 23 October 2007, dealing with assessment and management of flood risks - commonly referred as the Flood Directive, Regulation of the Minister of the Environment, Regulation of the Minister of Transport, Construction and Maritime Affairs, the Minister of Administration and Digitization and the Minister of Home Affairs concerning the development of flood hazard and flood risk maps. The article also presents an extremely important issue concerning the role of education in improving flood safety - everyone who lives in flood risk areas should be aware of potential risks and, where appropriate, apply themselves accordingly. The article describes permanent flood protection measures including levees, reservoirs and polders. In addition to these there is a range of temporary solutions, commencing with popular sandbags and flood sleeves and, culminating with flood fences. An attempt was made to present a range of short-term flood protection solutions currently available on the market such as the range of flood sleeves which, differ from each other by cross-section dimensions and material from which they are made. Additionally, the article examines the application of vertical flood barriers and explores the most important advantages of other commercially available temporary flood protection measures, including fences and glass barriers. Furthermore, the article also addresses issues concerning equipment used in areas exposed to the risk of flooding. These include storage containers and equipment such as: containers with pumps for contaminated floodwater - KPpPm type, containers with boats – KPpŁ type, flood containers with barriers type KPpZ.
Methodology: Examination of manufacturers equipment documentation and documents held by the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service of Poland.
Conclusions: The article addressed a significant issue associated with climate change and trends covering the recent past which, increasingly reveal the significant power of flooding. The paper illustrates fundamental protection approaches against the destructive force of nature, which can be used for temporary as well as permanent solutions.
Keywords: flood, Flood Directive, temporary flood protection measures, flood sleeves
Type of article: review article