FloodSax in their dry state soaking up water in a supermarket
Supermarkets are vulnerable to flooding through their roofs leading to health and safety problems for staff and customers
FloodSax transformed into instant sandbags keeping floodwater at bay
FloodSax come in vacuum-packed bags which make them space-saving to store
Supermarkets rely on FloodSax alternative sandbags to protect them from floods both inside and out
Supermarkets across the UK are now relying on a highly versatile alternative sandbag to save them a fortune in water damage while enhancing health and safety in store.
FloodSax can be transformed into instant sandbags in minutes to keep floodwater out of the premises, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in damage and lost stock.
The recent severe rain has led to many supermarkets needing emergency deliveries of FloodSax.
In their dry state FloodSax are ideal to soak up drips, leaks, spills and floods inside and many supermarkets – including some of the biggest names in the sector - are using them this way all the time.
When dry, FloodSax have a large surface but are ultra-thin so can be slipped under refrigeration units and other hard-to-reach places to soak up water.
If left unchecked, the danger is the water could not only damage the units and their electrics, but leak across the floor causing an obvious health and safety risk which could see customers and staff slipping and hurting themselves.
FloodSax are manufactured by Environmental Defence Systems (EDS) based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and almost 3 million have been sold worldwide. They are largely biodegradable so are a far more environmentally friendly option than traditional sandbags.
Lucy Bailey from EDS said: “We’ve had a lot of urgent requests from supermarkets over the last couple of weeks due to the very wet weather causing them serious problems and more heavy rain is forecast.
“Supermarkets, along with other public buildings such as hospitals, are now relying on FloodSax as they are so versatile and inexpensive. Hundreds, if not thousands, of supermarkets across the country are at risk of flooding from rivers, streams, culverts and drains. Many supermarket car parks are built on inclines which means water from flash floods flows straight across the tarmac and into the store.
“All need some flood protection so they can react quickly in an emergency. Supermarkets also tend to have flat roofs which makes them very vulnerable to flooding and we often see FloodSax in action on shop floors soaking water up, especially after torrential rain has caused water to seep in through leaky roofs.
“Facilities management companies understand the importance of supermarkets, similar large businesses and public buildings having flood alleviation products in place to deal with floods and escapes of water both inside and out. Water wrecks everything it touches and as every minute of a flood emergency passes the damage quickly starts to run into many thousands of pounds.
“Mops tend to just move the water around but FloodSax have a gelling polymer inside which absorbs the water into the FloodSax and then retains it.”
To transform the FloodSax into an instant sandless sandbag simply immerse it fully in water which the FloodSax quickly absorbs and retains, transforming it into a 20kg alternative sandbag.
They can then be used outside to build into temporary barriers to keep floodwater out or divert it away from doors and into drains.
This means FloodSax are multi-purpose with incredible flood-stopping flexibility while sandbags are just a one-dimensional barrier which are heavy and cumbersome to shift, take up lots of space to store and often deteriorate and break open when they come into contact with floodwater, spilling sand into drains and blocking them which causes yet more flooding.
FloodSax are vacuum-packed in bags of five so are very space-saving to store – 20 are in one easy-to-carry box - yet are quick and easy to deploy in an emergency. If they are needed to soak water up indoors, simply open the packaging, take the FloodSax out and it can be in action immediately.
Lucy added: “FloodSax are an incredibly cost-effective way to have instant flood protection 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It’s best that any supermarket, business or public building that needs FloodSax stocks up now so they are ready for any emergency, day, night or weekend.”
Many businesses don’t realise that local authorities have no responsibility to provide sandbags.
The Environment Agency states: “Don’t assume the authorities will provide you with sandbags in a flood emergency. It is the responsibility of property owners to take appropriate action to protect their property from flooding. Sandbags are relatively ineffective when compared to purpose-built flood protection products. We strongly encourage people to use these products.”
Some councils now recommend FloodSax instead of traditional sandbags.
Gosport Borough Council in Hampshire says: “FloodSax have many advantages over traditional sandbags, being easy to store and move, easy to use and, importantly, easy on the environment, having a significantly lower carbon footprint.”
To find out how to get hold of FloodSax go to http://www.floodsax.co.uk/buy/uk-suppliers/
Supermarkets and businesses can also contact us directly via email at info@edslimited.co.uk or by phone on 01484 641009.