Typhoon’s fury packs a mean punch, so who you gonna call?

Guam Cleaning Masters show off winning formula from Flood Control Asia

By Joe Joshi
Senior Editor

Perhaps someone close to you has in the past been stricken by floods that damaged their home, business or places of entertainment. If so, you will know the suffering and often acute financial loss that person suffered. Trying to salvage what can be saved and recover financially can be a slow and difficult process. So, who should you call to protect your property?

Flood Control Asia RS Corporation of course! 

And Guam Cleaning Masters can help you all the way.

Flood Control International Limited has its Head Office in the UK, with international subsidiaries in the USA, Australia and India, as well as distributors throughout the world.

It has demountable mobile flood barriers, window cover barriers, swing-hinged floor doors, pivot-hinged barriers, sided-sealed flood doors, heavy-duty swing-hinged flood gates, flip-up, self-rising flood barriers and even glass wall barriers. These are all removable and  can be made to blend in with the environment. Most are self activated even when the electric power is off.

The company’s German-engineered flood technology has EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) seals that can withstand extreme temperatures and will remain flexible for decades.

German Engineer and Philippine resident Dr. Andreas “Andi” Klippe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Flood Control Asia RS Corp, based in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, said: “The German-made flood protection barriers are the better alternative to sandbags and a great addition to existing interventions. And because of their efficiency, the return of investment pays off after the first flooding. 

“Aluminum is the second-most-used material by car makers because it can really protect passengers in case of accidents since it is strong enough to absorb crash energy. Aluminum mixed with other elements like silicon, magnesium and copper creates high-strength alloys which also increases the strength and formability of aluminum. Moreover, aluminum parts can be engineered to be as strong if not stronger than steel.”

He said aluminum ensures its lifetime span since it is weather-proof, corrosion-resistant, and immune to the harmful effects of UV rays. It is as strong as steel, only lighter. This makes it easy to transport. For instance, with flood barriers, you can’t use steel because of its heavyweight.

You might ask if these flood barriers are prone to rust.  Dr Klippe said “aluminum contains natural oxide coating which serves as a protection against other elements, that’s why this metal can really avoid and withstand rust. Furthermore, with regular maintenance like polishing or painting, it can withstand even the harshest elements. According to AZO Materials, aluminum can be improved through anodizing, painting, or lacquering.”

It is important to note that aluminum is 100 percent recyclable, making it a more cost-effective material for production. Also, it only requires only about 5 percent  energy which is a very little amount for the recycling process. Consequently, this will reduce greenhouse gasses which can also help the environment.

Aluminum manufactured as flood protection barriers should be made of the best quality — durable, lightweight, corrosion-resistant and recyclable. 

Flooding is not just about water, it can be highly pressurized and carries floating debris. Traditional flood control barriers are not the solutions for such a problem, said Dr Klippe.

“Sandbags cannot provide total protection against flooding. Aluminum barriers can be used for 50 years or longer. The return of investment payoff after the first flooding is encouraging. The barriers can be deployed single-handedly because they are lightweight,” he said. 

Being exposed to floodwater also is not a problem because these aluminum flood control solutions can withstand damage caused by oxidation or other chemical reactions. After the flood, these barriers can be cleaned with water.

Aluminum barriers protect many different kinds of properties like malls, houses, and even an education city. In December 2019, RS flood experts protected 11 buildings at Doha Education City in Qatar. 

Dr Klippe said aluminum barriers have “Made in Germany” seals, offering  modern solutions to flood problems in 37 countries worldwide.

RS demountable barriers are approved by FM Global, the world’s biggest insurance company for commercial and industrial buildings, following rigorous testing for leaks and impact resistance. 

The RS Group has more than 65 flood control projects worldwide including 50 single, double and foldable swing-hinge gates at 25 different LTA and MRT subway stations in Singapore and a project in Changi Airport.

A public hospital in Dinalupihan town, Bataan province, Philippines is the second recipient of a German grant aimed at protecting it from flooding. The Jose C. Payumo Memorial District Hospital (JCPMDH) is the second medical center in the country, after the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila, to be chosen to undergo flood-proofing through a grant provided by the German government and Flood Control Asia RS Corp.

Dr Klippe said more than PHP10 million would be spent to make the hospital flood-free. He said the German government would cover 80 percent of the project cost while his company would shoulder the remaining 20 percent. 

German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel wished the partnership every success.

Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia and her brother, Governor Albert Garcia, thanked the donors, saying they were ecstatic about the project.