FloodSax stopping water getting onto the floor from a leaking roof at a supermarket
FloodSax transformed into instant sandbags keeping floodwater from a burst water pipe away from a supermarket
FloodSax are easy to store in these handy-sized vacuum-wrapped packs of 5
Why FloodSax are vital for health and safety in supermarkets and ALL businesses
An award-winning invention to stop floods both inside and outside supermarkets, businesses and homes has saved the day at another major supermarket chain.
A badly leaking roof at a Yorkshire supermarket left water dripping onto the floor, making it slippery for customers and staff.
But the supermarket always has a stash of Floodsax ready for action 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so staff made the area safe within minutes.
Super absorbent FloodSax are actually alternative sandbags but in their dry state are very flat with a large surface area and each FloodSax can absorb up to 20 litres of water.
This means they can be slipped under refrigeration units that may have started leaking to soak up the water, prevent damage and stop water spreading across the floor until the problem can be repaired.
But fully immerse them in water and they absorb 20 litres and retain it, causing the gelling polymer inside the FloodSax to expand. This transforms the FloodSax into an instant sandbag but without any sand.
They have been used many times to protect supermarkets, homes and businesses from floodwater after torrential rain, a fractured water mains or flooding from nearby rivers and streams.
Lucy Bailey from FloodSax said: “A flood can happen inside or outside a supermarket, house or business at any time day or night so it’s vital to be prepared. FloodSax come in super-thin vacuum-wrapped carrier bags with each containing 5 FloodSax so are very easy to store yet can be deployed in seconds in their dry state.
“This is what happened in this latest emergency at the Yorkshire supermarket. The flooding through the ceiling happened on a Friday night into the early hours of a Saturday morning, Imagine trying to get something to sort the problem out at that time of night if you don’t already have it on site. Simply being prepared can save a fortune – perhaps tens of thousands of pounds – in damage and lost stock yet a box of 20 FloodSax only costs around £140.”
Lucy added: “We are finding that more and more big businesses such as supermarkets are needing FloodSax as they are so versatile and inexpensive. Thousands of businesses across the country are at risk of flooding from rivers, streams, culverts and drains and a few get flooded time and time again. It’s good practice for all businesses to have some form of instant flood protection so they can react quickly in an emergency.”
FloodSax are manufactured by Environmental Defence Systems Ltd based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and almost 3 million have been sold worldwide.
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.”
Many councils now recommend FloodSax instead of traditional sandbags, especially as Floodsax are also largely biodegradable by weight and are also better for the environment. Read more about this by clicking here.
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.”
FloodSax are vacuum-packed in packs of five in easy-to-carry bags and four packs fit into one cardboard box weighing just 21lbs (9.5kilos)– that’s the equivalent to 20 traditional sandbags that you’d need a pallet and a forklift to shift.
To find out how to get hold of FloodSax go to http://www.floodsax.co.uk/buy/uk-suppliers/