GB2606786A

GB2606786A - A flood barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2606786A
Application number: GB2116962.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Parke Charles
Original assignee: Einstein IP Ltd
Current assignee: Einstein IP Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-24
Filing date: 2021-11-24
Publication date: 2022-11-23
Also published as: GB202116962D0; WO2022112767A1; GB2616779A; GB202018463D0; GB202309510D0

Abstract

A flood barrier 10 comprising a plurality of supports 12 spaced apart from one another and at least one intermediate barrier section 14 arrangeable between the supports. The barrier comprises at least a first beam 16 and second beam 17, each beam spanning between the supports. The barrier further comprises a first compression means (20, Fig 5) operable to lock the first beam in a predetermined position relative to the supports. Preferably the first compression means is a latch comprising a sprung-mounted pin mounted on the first beam that engages a hole (22, Fig 6) of the supports. The barrier may comprise a second compression means 40 operable to compress the barrier section towards the ground when assembled. The second compression means may be a compression screw that is lockable to prevent dismantling of the barrier. Further disclosed is a kit for the barrier and a method of installing the barrier.

Description

A flood barrier

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a flood barrier and in particular a portable flood barrier.

The invention also relates to kits for flood barriers and methods for erecting such flood barriers.

Background to the invention

Sandbags and civil engineered flood defences have been at the frontline of flood defence for centuries. More recently purpose-built flood barriers have been developed in many forms but the most common form replicates the use of timber logs across posts to form a temporary wall otherwise known as a stop-log system.

Unlike single panel barriers, stop-log barriers are modular and require multiple seals between the parts. In the absence of the significant weight of timber, these seals have to be compressed using mechanical means such as screws or levers. These can prove effective depending on the length and tolerances of the beams in contact with each other. 20 Furthermore, one benefit of stop-logs is that they can seal directly downward to the ground without the need for a threshold, meaning that installation may be simplified. Some stop-logs are designed with inherent strength sufficient for smaller openings or length. Others are designed with the inherent strength to deal with large spans. Both are reliant on creating a good seal with the ground surface and so those with larger spans are likely to offer up thicker and softer seals to deal with the greater degree of irregularity in the surface. Using a typical foam seal may require compression that reduces the effective thickness of the gasket by up to 75%.

For those with thicker seals and longer beams, a greater force is required to impart the necessary compression through all of the stacked beams onto the bottom beam-ground seal. If a screw mechanism is being used, this means a lot of winding to achieve the necessary compression, making the deployment inefficient or ineffective.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a flood barrier to protect an area of land from floodwaters, the flood barrier having a waterside to be placed adjacent a body of water and a protected side opposing the waterside, the flood barrier comprising a plurality of supports spaced apart from one another; at least one intermediate barrier section arrangeable to be supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports, the intermediate barrier section comprising at least a first beam and second beam, each beam being installable to span between said pair of neighbouring supports, the first beam being the beam which is closest to the ground when the barrier is erected, the first and each further beam being stacked one above the other when assembled, to form a continuous barrier surface, wherein said first beam has first and second ends and top and bottom elongate sides, the first end being adjacent one of the pair of neighbouring supports and the second end being adjacent the other of the pair of neighbouring supports when erected, the flood barrier further comprising a first compression means operable to lock the first beam in a predetermined position relative to the pair of neighbouring supports, said first compression means being operable to provide a compressive force directed at least in a direction coplanar with a plane running between the top and bottom elongate sides of the first beam and towards the ground when assembled.

The first compression means provides strong compression of the first beam against the ground, improving the seal with the ground and providing a seal which is easy and quick to implement when erecting the barrier. The first compression means is operable to lock the first beam at a predetermined height relative to the pair of neighbouring supports. This provides a suitable compressive force so as to form a watertight seal with the ground. The first compression means allows locking engagement between the first beam and the pair of neighbouring supports so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports. The first compression means may also be referred to as a first beam compression means or a first holding means.

Preferably the first compression means comprises a first latch extendible from the first beam or from said adjacent neighbouring support so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support. The retractable / extendible latch can be mounted to the first beam or the adjacent neighbouring support. In embodiments wherein the latch is extendible from the first beam, the latch engages with the adjacent support to lock the first beam relative to the support. In embodiments wherein the latch is extendible from the support, the latch engages with the first beam to lock the first beam relative to the support.

Preferably said latch is mounted to the first beam or said adjacent neighbouring support, the latch being convertible between an extended position wherein it extends from the first beam or support to which it is mounted and a retracted position.

Preferably said latch is biased in its extended position. Suitably said latch may be biased in its extended position by spring means. Preferably said latch is engageable with the other of the first beam or neighbouring support to which it is mounted.

Preferably the latch is extendible from the first beam or from said adjacent neighbouring support and the other of the first beam and neighbouring support comprises a corresponding recess in which the latch is engageable so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support.

Preferably the recess is located at a predetermined height in the first beam or neighbouring support such that the first beam may be locked in a predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports. Suitably said latch is located a predetermined height in the first beam or neighbouring support such that the latch aligns with the corresponding recess when the first beam is in said predetermined position, thereby being operable to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to the pair of neighbouring supports.

Preferably said latch is mounted to the first beam and the corresponding recess is in the neighbouring support.

In preferred embodiments said latch comprises a pin which is sprung-mounted to the first beam or one of the neighbouring supports. Preferably the other of the first beam and neighbouring support from that which the pin is mounted to comprises a hole in which the pin is engageable so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support. Preferably the hole is located at a predetermined height in the first beam or neighbouring support such that the first beam may be locked in a predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports. Preferably said pin is mounted to the first beam and the corresponding hole is in the neighbouring support.

Preferably the first latch is extendible from the first end of the first beam or the adjacent neighbouring support and the first compression means further comprises a second latch extendible from the second end of the first beam or neighbouring support adjacent to it. This provides latch means at or engageable with each end of the first beam. The provision of latch means at or engageable with each end of the first beam provides even compression across the full length of the first beam, aiding in providing a good seal with the ground. In certain embodiments the flood barrier comprises a first compression means comprising a first latch extendible from the first end of the first beam or from said adjacent neighbouring support and a second latch extendible from the second end of the first beam or neighbouring support adjacent to it and the flood barrier, the second and any further beam of the flood barrier being without any such compression means operable to lock said beam in a predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports.

Preferably the flood barrier further comprises a second compression means, the second compression means being operable to compress the intermediate barrier section towards the ground when assembled. The second compression means may also be referred to as a barrier compression means.

Preferably the intermediate barrier section comprises a top beam being the beam which is furthest from the ground when assembled, the second compression means being operable to compress the top beam towards the other beam or beams, thereby compressing the intermediate barrier section towards the ground. Preferably the second compression means comprises a compression screw which is operable to provide a compressive force on the top beam. Preferably the second compression means is lockable to prevent the intermediate barrier section from being dismantled.

Preferably the first beam has a sealing member disposed on the bottom elongate side of the beam. In this way a seal may form between the beam and the ground when the flood barrier is erected.

Preferably the beams in each intermediate barrier section are configured to interlock with one another when assembled. Seals may be provided between each beam in each intermediate barrier section.

Preferably each support has a U-shaped channel configured for the beams to slot therein.

In preferred embodiments, the recess that the latch engages in is located in an inner face of the U-shaped channel.

Preferably at least one of the beams of the intermediate barrier section is hollow and includes a reinforcement element insertable within it.

Preferably the flood barrier comprises a plurality of said intermediate barrier sections, the intermediate barrier sections being arrangeable side by side in a row such that each is supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports of said plurality of neighbouring supports, the supports and intermediate barrier sections forming a continuous barrier surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for assembly into a flood barrier according to any aspect of the invention as previously described, wherein the kit comprises the parts for said flood barrier.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a flood barrier, the method comprising providing a flood barrier according to any aspect of the invention as previously described, erecting a plurality of supports and placing an intermediate barrier section to extend across the space between each neighbouring pair of supports.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flood barrier according to the present invention comprising a single intermediate barrier section; Figure 2 is a front view of the flood barrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the bottom beam of the flood barrier of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of one of the beams for stacking above the bottom beam; Figure 5 is a front view of the bottom beam; Figure 6 is a side view of a support of the flood barrier of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a top view of the support of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the flood barrier, showing a support at one end of the intermediate barrier section and the ends of the beams installed therein; Figure 9 is a front view of the second compression means; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the bracket of the second compression means; Figure 11 is a front view of the second compression means; Figure 12 is a close-up top view of the flood barrier, showing a support at one end of the intermediate barrier section and the ends of the beams installed therein; Figure 13 shows a reinforcement element for receipt within a beam.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Like reference numerals are used to refer to like components.

Referring to Figure 1, an assembled flood barrier 10 is shown. Although an assembled flood barrier will be described, it will be understood that it can be provided as a kit such that it can be assembled / disassembled as required so that the barrier can function as a portable / temporary flood barrier. The flood barrier has a waterside to be placed adjacent a body of water and a protected side opposing the waterside. The flood barrier 10 has a plurality of stanchions or supports 12 and a plurality of intermediate barrier sections 14, one intermediate barrier section 14 disposed between each pair of neighbouring supports. In Figure 1, two supports 12 and one whole intermediate section 14 are shown, which together form a flood barrier unit. A continuous flood barrier wall can be formed by erecting a series of flood barrier units side by side.

A portion of the barrier formed by a pair of neighbouring supports 12 and an intermediate barrier section 14 will now be further described and it will be understood that further sections of the barrier will be alike. The intermediate barrier section 14 has a first beam 16 arranged between the pair of neighbouring supports 12. Referring to Figure 1, the intermediate barrier section 14 has a plurality of further beams 17 horizontally placed between the pair of neighbouring supports 12. The beams 16, 17 of the intermediate barrier section 14 are arranged stacked one above the other and are configured to interlock with one another, such as via tongue and groove joints, to form a continuous barrier between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the flood barrier. The join between each beam 16, 17 preferably includes a sealing member to form a seal between adjacent beams. The beams 16, 17 may be any suitable crossbeam, panel or stop log. The beams 16, 17 may be made of metal or any other suitable material capable of resisting hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic loads. The beams 16, 17 are designed to resist the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads likely to be imparted during a flood event. The beams can be put in place, one at a time.

In the embodiment in the figures, each support 12 is configured to stand vertically relative to the ground when erected. However, each support may instead comprise a main inclined post braced by other posts (e.g. arranged in a triangular shaped assembly), the beams 16, 17 being secured to the main inclined post.

Referring to Figure 7, each support 12 is U-shaped to provide a channel 13 in which an end of each beam to be received in the intermediate barrier section can be slotted. The U-shaped channel 13 comprises an inner face 30 from which projects a pair of side walls 31, one on each side of the inner face 30.

Referring to Figure 1, the first beam 16 has first and second ends 16a, 16b and top and bottom elongate sides 16c, 16d. Referring to Figure 3, the first beam 16 has an elongate sealing member 39 arranged along its bottom side 16c such that a seal may form between the first beam 16 and the ground when the flood barrier is erected. The sealing member 39 is preferably a neoprene gasket. The sealing member 39 is compressed vertically towards the ground by a first compression means as will now be described. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each beam 16, 17 has a pair of inter-beam sealing members 15 arranged along its top edge for sealing to a beam that may be stacked above it.

The first compression means is operable to provide a compressive force on the sealing member 39 directed at least in a direction coplanar with a plane running between the top and bottom elongate sides of the first beam 16 and towards the ground when assembled.

The first compression means comprises at least a first latch extendible from the first beam 16 or from said adjacent neighbouring support 12 so as to lock the first beam in a predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support. In the preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, the latch comprises a pin 20 which is sprung-mounted to the first beam 16, which can be seen, for example, in Figure 5. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the pin 20 is engageable in a hole 22 in the adjacent support 12. Referring to Figure 5, the first compression means comprises first and second pins 20 sprung-mounted to the first beam 16, one at each end of the first beam. One of said pair of pins 20 will be described further, however it will be understood that the arrangement for locking of the other end of the first beam 16 is alike. The hole 22 in the support 12 is located at a predetermined height H from the base of the support 12, such that the first beam 16 is effectively locked in a predetermined position relative to the adjacent supports 12 when the pin 20 engages in its corresponding hole 22. The height H is predetermined such that when the first beam is locked in the predetermined position relative to the adjacent supports 12, this causes sufficient compression on the sealing member 39 to form a good seal with the ground surface. Pin 20 is effectively a locking pin as it locks the first beam in a predetermined position relative to the supports.

Referring to Figure 5, the pin 20 is mounted within a corresponding bore 24 in the first beam 16, the bore 24 having an elongate axis parallel with the top and bottom elongate sides 16c, 16d of the first beam. The pin 20 is sprung mounted in the corresponding bore 24 by means of a spring 26. In this preferred embodiment spring 26 is a coil spring, but may comprise other types of spring. The pin 20 is convertible between an extended position wherein it extends from the first beam 16, as shown in Figure 5, and a retracted position wherein the pin 20 is housed within the profile of the first beam. In this way, the pin 20 is slideable relative to the first beam 16, like a plunger. The pin 20 is biased in its extended position by its corresponding spring 26. The pin 20 has a projecting handle 28 extending orthogonally from the elongate axis of the pin 20 so that the handle 28 projects from the top elongate side of the first beam, there being an elongated slot (not visible in the figures) in the top of the first beam 16 that the handle 28 projects through. The pin 20 may be moved from its extended position to its retracted position by grasping the handle 28 and pulling it towards the middle of the first beam, to aid with assembly or disassembly of the barrier. When the handle 28 is released the spring 26 biases the pin 20 back to the extended position.

The pins 20 on each side of the first beam are positioned at a predetermined height h relative to the bottom elongate side 16c of the first beam such that the pins 20 each align with the corresponding hole 22 at height H when the first beam is in its predetermined position relative to the pair of neighbouring supports 12 so as to provide suitable compression of the first beam against the ground so as to provide a good seal. In the present embodiment the pins 20 on each end of the first beam are both located near the top. However, it will be understood that the pins 20 may be located at heights other than that shown in the present figures, as long as the pins 20 and corresponding holes 22 align so as to locate the first beam in a suitable predetermined position relative to the pair of neighbouring supports 12 to provide a good seal at the base of the flood barrier.

In operation, in order to lock the first beam 16 into place between two neighbouring supports 12 which are already spaced a beam width apart, the installer slots first beam end 16a into the channel 13 of the first support 12 and the second beam end 16b into the channel 13 of the second support 12. As the first beam 16 is slotted into the channels of the pair of neighbouring supports 12, the pins 20 will be caused to retract to their retracted positions (or the installer could of course retract the pins 20 manually). The installer slides the beam 16 towards the base of the supports 12 until the pins 20 are at height H relative to the base of each support 12, at which point the pins 20 align with the corresponding holes 22. Once the pins 20 are aligned with the corresponding holes 22, the pins 20 move to their extended positions under the biasing force of the corresponding springs 26. Each pin 20 automatically extends and engages in the corresponding hole 22, locking the first beam in the predetermined position relative to the adjacent supports 12. Feedback of locking of the first beam in the predetermined position occurs when the pin 20 engages in hole 22 and the first beam is no longer able to move slidingly relative to the supports 12.

In order to disassemble the first beam 16 from the barrier, the handle 28 of each pin 20 is moved by the installer towards the middle of the first beam, thereby moving the pin 20 from its extended position to its retracted position. The first beam 16 may then be slid upwards in channels 13 of the neighbouring supports 12 until the first beam is free of the supports 12.

In an alternative embodiment, each latch associated with the first beam may be a slideable pin without any spring-mounting to bias it in its extended position. Instead each latch may comprise a slideable pin receivable in a corresponding recess in which the latch is engageable so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support. The first beam may have a first slideable pin mounted at its first end and a second slidable pin mounted at its second end, each being engageable in a recess in the correponding support, the recesses being located at a predetermined height H from the base of the support such that the first beam is effecitvely locked in a predetermined position relative to the supports when each pin engages in its corresponding recess. Alternatively the first beam may have a recess in its first end and a recess in its second end and a slideable pin mounted to each corresponding support for engaging in the corresponding recess. In such an embodiment the slideable pins are each mounted at a predetermined height H from the base of the support.

Other features of the flood barrier will now be described. Referring to Figure 1, the intermediate barrier section further comprises a second compression means 40, the second compression means being operable to compress the intermediate barrier section towards the ground when assembled. The second compression means 40 comprises first and second compression jacks 40a, 40b, one on each side of the barrier. Referring to Figure 9, one of the compression jacks 40b can be seen in more detail. A single compression jack 40b will be described, however it will be understood that the other compression jack 40a on the other side of the intermediate barrier section is alike. The compression jack 40b comprises a threaded screw member 41 received in a threaded bore 42 within a bracket 43. The bracket 43 is mountable to the top of the adjacent support 12 so that the screw member 41 may be threadedly adjusted to compress against the top beam 17 in order to compress the set of beams against the ground, thus forming a watertight barrier. Screw member 41 has a head 47 which may be grasped by an installer in order to assist with threadedly adjusting the screw member 41. The bracket 43 may be secured at different heights along the length of the support 12 to accommodate different numbers of beams and then to allow threaded adjustment of the screw pin 51 to provide compression to the beams.

Referring to Figure 10, the bracket 43 can be seen in more detail. The bracket 43 has a flanged portion 44 which is configured to be received within a corresponding receiving channel 32 extending vertically through the adjacent support 12. The bracket 43 has a fixing hole 46 in the flanged portion for receiving fixing means for securing the bracket 43 to the adjacent support 12. Referring to Figure 6, the support 12 has a plurality of holes 45 which the bracket 43 can be aligned with so that a suitable fixing means such as a screw can pass through a hole 45 in the support 12 and the hole 46 in the bracket to secure the bracket 43 to the support 12. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the bracket 43 includes a through bore 48 which allows the shackle of a padlock (not shown in the figures) to be secured therethrough to prevent the intermediate barrier section from being dismantled by unauthorised individuals by means of the shackle engaging tightly against the threaded shank portion of the screw member 41.

In operation, in order to assemble an intermediate barrier section, the first beam 16 is locked into place between two neighbouring supports 12 as described above. One or more further beams 17 are then slotted into place between the two neighbouring supports 12, with the ends of the beams received in the U-shaped channels of the neighbouring supports 12. The second compression means comprising the first and second compression jacks 40a, 40b are secured to the first and second neighbouring supports respectively. The compression jacks are threadedly adjusted to provide compressive forces on the beams in a direction towards the ground. The supports 12 may be secured to the ground. Securing of the supports 12 to the ground may be done before the beams 16, 17 are slotted into place between a pair of neighbouring supports, or after.

The flood barrier may comprise a plurality of intermediate barrier sections 14 as described above, the intermediate barrier sections being arrangeable side by side in a row such that each is supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports 12, the supports and intermediate barrier sections forming a continuous barrier surface. The assembly of an intermediate barrier section 14 supported between two neighbouring supports 12 forms a flood barrier unit. At the junction between one flood barrier unit and the next, in certain embodiments a pair of supports 12 will be arranged back to back, with their U-shaped channels facing away from each other. Straight flood barriers may be formed by arranging pairs of supports 12 back to back with their sold rear faces 45 meeting. Alternatively, at the junction between one intermediate barrier section and the next, the supports 12 can be arranged so that a "corner" is formed, with one intermediate barrier section at an angle with respect to the next, so as to form a corner in the flood barrier system. The flood barrier may be formed with a mixture of straight sections and corners as needed to suit the environment wherein it is to be erected.

Each support 12 is configured such that it may be free-standing. In some embodiments the supports 12 will be temporarily affixed to a foundation element in a removable manner.

In other embodiments, supports 12 may securable to a foundation element in a permanent manner.

A flood barrier comprising a plurality of intermediate barrier sections will have a terminal support 12 at each end of the flood barrier. Either or both terminal supports may be free-standing. Either or both terminal supports may be mounted to a building or other support structure. Referring to Figure 6, each support 12 has holes 19, which are preferably countersunk, which may receive suitable fixings for securing the support 12 to a wall of a building or to some other suitable support structure. The support 12 may be mounted to a building or other support structure permanently or temporarily. Referring to Figure 7, each support 12 has a pair of rear channels 34, each for receiving an elongate sealing member (not shown in the figures) therein so that the support 12 may be sealed against another support 12, a wall or other support structure that it may be mounted to.

In an alternative configuration, the flood barrier may be arranged with its supports 12 in a closed configuration, forming an enclosure to either retain fluid outside, or to contain fluid to the internal side of the enclosure.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the beams 16, 17 are hollow. Referring to Figure 13, each beam 16, 17 may receive one or more elongate reinforcement elements 18 therein however. In preferred embodiments the reinforcement elements 18 comprise an elongate box section. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, two box sections 18 may be received in a beam, one above the other. This is particularly effective in reinforcing the lower beams.

Claims

Claims 1. A flood barrier to protect an area of land from floodwaters, the flood barrier having a waterside to be placed adjacent a body of water and a protected side opposing the waterside, the flood barrier comprising a plurality of supports spaced apart from one another; at least one intermediate barrier section arrangeable to be supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports, the intermediate barrier section comprising at least a first beam and second beam, each beam being installable to span between said pair of neighbouring supports, the first beam being the beam which is closest to the ground when the barrier is erected, the first and each further beam being stacked one above the other when assembled, to form a continuous barrier surface, wherein said first beam has first and second ends and top and bottom elongate sides, the first end being adjacent one of the pair of neighbouring supports and the second end being adjacent the other of the pair of neighbouring supports when erected, the flood barrier further comprising a first compression means operable to lock the first beam in a predetermined position relative to the pair of neighbouring supports, said first compression means being operable to provide a compressive force directed at least in a direction coplanar with a plane running between the top and bottom elongate sides of the first beam and towards the ground when assembled.
2. A flood barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first compression means comprises a first latch extendible from the first beam or from said adjacent neighbouring support so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support.
3. A flood barrier according to claim 2, wherein said latch is mounted to the first beam or said adjacent neighbouring support, the latch being convertible between an extended position wherein it extends from the first beam or support to which it is mounted and a retracted position.
4. A flood barrier according to claim 3, wherein said latch is biased in its extended position.
5. A flood barrier according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said latch is engageable with the other of the first beam or neighbouring support to which it is mounted.
6. A flood barrier according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the latch is extendible from the first beam or from said adjacent neighbouring support and the other of the first beam and neighbouring support comprises a corresponding recess in which the latch is engageable so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support.
7. A flood barrier according to claim 6, wherein the recess is located at a predetermined height in the first beam or neighbouring support such that the first beam may be locked in a predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports.
8. A flood barrier according to claim 7, wherein said latch is mounted to the first beam and the corresponding recess is in the neighbouring support.
9. A flood barrier according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein said latch comprises a pin which is sprung-mounted to the first beam or one of the neighbouring supports.
10. A flood barrier according to claim 9, wherein the other of the first beam and neighbouring support from that which the pin is mounted to comprises a hole in which the pin is engageable so as to lock the first beam in said predetermined position relative to said neighbouring support.
11. A flood barrier according to claim 10, wherein the hole is located at a predetermined height in the first beam or neighbouring support such that the first beam may be locked in a predetermined position relative to the neighbouring supports.
12. A flood barrier according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said pin is mounted to the first beam and the corresponding hole is in the neighbouring support.
13. A flood barrier according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the first latch is extendible from the first end of the first beam or the adjacent neighbouring support and the first compression means further comprises a second latch extendible from the second end of the first beam or neighbouring support adjacent to it.
14. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the flood barrier further comprises a second compression means, the second compression means being operable to compress the intermediate barrier section towards the ground when assembled. 5
15. A flood barrier according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate barrier section comprises a top beam being the beam which is furthest from the ground when assembled, the second compression means being operable to compress the top beam towards the other beam or beams, thereby compressing the intermediate barrier section towards the ground.
16. A flood barrier according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the second compression means comprises a compression screw which is operable to provide a compressive force on the top beam.
17. A flood barrier according to claim any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second compression means is lockable to prevent the intermediate barrier section from being dismantled.
18. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the first beam has a sealing member disposed on the bottom elongate side of the beam.
19. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the beams in each intermediate barrier section are configured to interlock with one another when assembled.
20. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein each support has a U-shaped channel configured for the beams to slot therein.
21. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the beams of the intermediate barrier section is hollow and includes a reinforcement element insertable within it.
22. A flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the flood barrier comprises a plurality of said intermediate barrier sections, the intermediate barrier sections being arrangeable side by side in a row such that each is supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports of said plurality of neighbouring supports. the supports and intermediate barrier sections forming a continuous barrier surface.
23. A kit for assembly into a flood barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the kit comprises the parts for the flood barrier according to any preceding claim.
24. A method of installing a flood barrier, the method comprising providing a flood barrier according to any of claims 1 to 22, erecting a plurality of supports and disposing an intermediate barrier section between each neighbouring pair of supports.