Flood protection products specifications undergo revision

11 September 2014

BSI, the business standards company has fully revised the PAS 1188 suite of flood protection products specifications, to ensure they offer the best guidance for the growing issue of flooding. This is something to be aware of especially for the future as changes in weather patterns, the amount of new building on low-lying areas in recent years, and other local factors, come into play.

The suite of four documents was sponsored by the Environment Agency and aims to define terms and definitions within the area of flood protection products. It will set the norm for good practice and provide a test method for companies and organizations to help them attain a Kitemark for flood protection.

What does the PAS 1188 suite cover?

  • It specifies requirements for the designation, testing, factory production control, installation documentation and marking for different types and configurations of flood protection products
  • The method of testing and an allowable leakage rate for various types of products

PAS 1188 will be useful to Insurers, Flood Risk Assessors, Surveyors and Consumers to help them understand which environment and/or location a product is best suited for. The suite of standards will also offer guidance to those involved in manufacturing and/or testing flood protection products.

Some of the organizations involved in the revision of PAS 1188 includes experts such as: Association of British Certification Bodies, AXA Insurance, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs , Environment Agency, Flood Protection Association, HR Wallingford, Jacobs U.K. Limited, JBA Consulting Limited, National Flood Forum, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and The University of Manchester.

Key changes to PAS 1188:

  • Normative and informative references have been updated
  • Marking subclause has been amended and updated
  • Annex C now includes a deployment guide and user manual
  • Some of the subclauses in each of the four parts have been changed

Anthony Burd Head of Sector for Construction at BSI said: “Last year in the UK we saw the devastating effects of flooding on homes and businesses. With this revised suite of specifications we have the tools at hand to better safeguard people and help businesses to continue to operate in flood conditions. ”