Flood mitigation at Kirton Substation

The solution

As part of a programme of works, Adler and Allan successfully installed a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures to help protect the transformer, switch gear and switch room from possible flooding. Both the transformer and switch gear were bunded using Adler and Allan’s patented JBAR™ modular system. JBAR was installed using only hand tools while the transformer and switch gear were live. The bund walls were built in nonconductive GRP, with external corners and joints. The bunds were then spraylined using Adler and Allan’s Adalline™ 400 polyurea coating. This specialist formula forms an impermeable layer of protection, preventing the ingress and egress of water and chemicals from either side of the bund. Adalline 400 also offers complete hydrocarbon resistance in the event of an oil leak, and is guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years. Due to the varying size of the bunds and to comply with safety distances, GRP stairs and a GRP Cat Ladder System were installed for access. For complete peace of mind, the bunds contained a backup sump, pump and alarm system. The perimeter of the Switch Room building was excavated to expose the top of the foundations the external walls were spray lined up to the specified flood risk height with Adalline 400 to render them waterproof. CSD Rise sealed cables and non-return valves were placed on drains and sink waste pipes, and self-closing airbricks were installed around the building. A backup sum and pump with a control unit was also installed, along with a steel flood security door.