Dwellings constructed from masonry can easily be designed to be flood resilient. Masonry does not absorb significant amounts of water, (particularly closed cell aircrete blocks) and finishes that are water damaged can be stripped off and replaced. In addition, masonry homes will not warp or rot following a flood and the damage caused by flooding is less likely to threaten their structural integrity.
Availability of prime land for residential expansion, particularly in the South East, has been restricted, resulting in development on more land that is prone to flooding. New buildings in these areas need to be designed appropriately to handle a flood and maintain their function following the event.
Latest guidance on flood resilient homes is contained in British Standard BS 85500: Flood resistant and resilient construction – Guide to improving the flood performance of buildings, published in Winter 2015. Recommendations are made for wall and floor constructions as well as other design decisions based upon the predicted height and duration of the flood. Concrete and masonry solutions appear throughout as recommended solutions for construction, irrespective of the type of flood predicted. Read more on Flood Resilient Homes at www.concretecentre.com.