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<br /> <br />flood level. In addition, auxiliary generators should be available to provide energy dur- <br />ing a power failure for temporary lights, vital pumps to control seepage, and elevator <br />operation. <br />Sewer systems can be kept in operation through the use of shut off valves to prevent <br />backup and the installation of pumps. The same pumps can also remove seepage from <br />the building if outlets are provided which extend above known flood stages. Check valves, <br />vacuum breakers or air gaps should be installed to prevent back siphoning. <br />Water mains normally are kept under sufficient pressure to avoid contamination by <br />flood waters. Pressure should be increased during floods, however, to compensate for <br />the increased head acting on the mains. If the pumping station is flooded, however, pres- <br />sure will be reduced and contamination can occur. This suggests an internal water sup- <br />ply, perhaps a roof storage tank, to keep buildings in operation during floods. It is also <br />advisable to provide cutoff valves to isolate any portion of a building which may be flooded <br />to prevent contamination by back siphonage into those parts which are not inundated. <br />Where water wells are located on flood plains, their casings should be sealed and extended <br />above anticipated. flood levels to prevent the entry of polluted flood waters. <br />Storage tanks may contain products necessary for a building's operation. They should <br />be anchored and weighted down or else raised. above flood levels to prevent flotation and <br />loss during floods. <br /> <br />Closin~ Wall Openin~s and Vents <br />Windows and vents both above and below the surface should be sealed. to prevent the <br />entry of flood waters. They may also need to be reinforced. Care should be taken, how- <br />ever, that the walls are strong enough to support the pressures added by vent and window <br />reinforcements. Also, the wall itself should be treated or constructed to prevent large <br />amounts of water from passing through it. <br />Openings which are no longer necessary, such as old coal chutes, windows into stor- <br />age and basement areas or unused doorways, can be permanently closed and sealed by <br />masonry or reiniorced glass block construction. Masonry enclosures should be "keyed" <br />into the existing masonry in a manner similar to the original construction (Figure 27). <br />Where openings in exterior walls are necessary to the everyday function of the build- <br />ings, there are several flood proofing alternatives. Figure 28 illustrates four alternatives <br />ranging from partial closure to complete closure. A variety of materials and combinations <br />can be used in window closure. Possibilities include the partial bricking in of wall open- <br />ings with or without metal shields; the use of wooo timbers which fit in slotted jamb sup- <br />ports, and the provision of full metal shields. Any material can be used providing it pre- <br />vents the entry of flooo. water. <br />Windows can be equipped with flood shields and still be attrac- <br />tive. Figure 29 is an example in which an aluminum skin covers the <br />brackets to which the bulkheads are bolted. <br />Figure 30 shows a shield over an air vent which is located in a <br />pedestrian mall to prevent entry of flood waters into the subsurface <br />part of a building. The shield is stored in a nearby garage and is <br />carried by several men when it must be p..1t into position. <br />Smaller wall openings such as service chutes, vents, or windows <br />can be sealed as in Figure 31. This type of closure requires little <br />alteration to the building and can be installed in a minimum of time. <br /> <br />Display Windows <br />There are several approaches to adjusting display windows to <br />prevent the entry of flood waters. Since these windows are so vital <br />to store operation, they must remain attractive and function as a <br />place of display for as long as possible. One approach is to equip the <br /> <br />New brick used in closure <br /> <br />Figure 27.-Masonry closure for unnecessary windows. The closure is keyed into the <br />existing masonry to provide strength. <br /> <br />37 <br />