Global Flood Solutions’ award winning product can prevent further flooding in many affected areas and provide a rapid response for local authorities

9th November, 2011; Roscommon, Ireland: The deluge of floods that hit Dublin could have been largely avoided if the Irish authorites had used our award winning flood barrier.  The Big Bags System is the fastest flood barrier, from Roscommon firm Global Flood Solutions. It was recently used to protect facilities in Washington DC from this year’s biggest natural disaster, Hurricane Irene, yet Irish authorities have yet to purchase a cost effective Irish solution to an Irish problem.

In Clontarf, in Dublin, the City Council is planning to spend €11m on building a 3.5m flood bank in order protect the area from tidal flooding. Global Flood Solutions surveyed the Clontarf seafront last week and have been speaking with local groups. They estimate that by providing their Big Bags System flood barrier as an alternative solution, Dublin City Council could save €6m alone on this project.

The new proposals have been agreed using the Council’s fast-track planning powers, which do not provide for public consultation. This has resulted in a huge amount of opposition from local businesses and residents who feel strongly that scheme will damage the seafront and provide a permanent eyesore even when there isn’t a threat from flooding. Global Flood Solutions firmly believes that given the importance and cost of the controversial project, that the plans should opened to more of debate with local stakeholders as to all the possible options for a flood barrier in Clontarf.

The firm’s Big Bags System could also have helped protect many areas of Dublin during last week’s flooding. In the winter there is a constant threat that Dublin’s three main rivers the Liffey, Tolka and Dodder could flood, due to the inadequacy of the rivers defences. Last week the Stillorgan Reservoir was also breached. Such instances of flooding in Dublin could be avoided using the Big Bags Systems providing an additional flood barrier and protect the city. The Big Bags System can be left as a permanent defence over the winter months and removed when flood threats abate, leaving no impact on the environment or local amenities. Each System extends to a 4.5m linear waterproof barrier almost a metre high, consisting of five consecutive polypropylene bags with a waterproof sealant, which can be stacked for a higher defence and laid consecutively so there are no gaps for water to penetrate.

In instances where there are known to be weaknesses in the drains’ system, and where flooding occurs due to backing up of the system, the big bags can be deployed along thoroughfares which are prone to flooding, thus protecting the businesses and residences along those routes.

Global Flood Solutions also believes that the Big Bags System could have helped protect Dundrum Town Centre by deflecting water away from the shopping centre. It would be impractical to lay the systems around the whole of the Centre, but for instances like last week, where flood waters came down from higher ground, then the Big Bags’ Systems could have be deployed along the entrances facing Sandyford Road in order to deflect flood waters away from the centre and further down the road.

Shane Curran, Managing Director of Global Flood Solutions, adds: “we pride ourselves on providing a flood defence system that can rapidly respond to the growing needs of international governments to protect lives and vital infrastructure. This year alone we have protected the city of Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada; and DC Water’s Blue Plains facility, the largest waste water treatmentcerntre in the world. The Big Bags System is also currently being field tested in different scenarios by the UK’s Environment Agency.

“We are an the only Irish company that is supplying a multi-award-winning affordable flood barrier to local authorities across the world and we’d be delighted to engage with our own authorities to deliver a comprehensive solution to our own flooding problems.”

As flooding becomes more widespread and difficult to predict the EU Floods Directive advises more rapid-response temporary measures as they are required, thus reducing costs to the exchequer on funding permanent barriers and lessening the permanent impact on the environment.

In Ireland the distribution contract for the Big Bags System has just been awarded to Kilkenny company MW Hire in a deal that was agreed in the wake of the floods last week. It is estimated to worth €3.2m over three years.

For enquiries please contact Simon Palmer or Republic PR on +353 (0) 851 341 761 or email simon@republicpr.ie

Note to Editors

Specifications of the Big Bags Defence System

The major advantage of the Big Bag Defence System is its concertina design of five robust polypropylene bags, which means it can be deployed and filled within two minutes, faster than any other flood defence system, and costs less per unit than more conventional sandbags. Each Big Bag Defence System extends to 4.5m in length, and 0.9m in height and width, and provides a barrier equivalent to 670 conventional sand bags. It is water repellent on the front side and has a unique filtration component on the rear side, which allows the rainwater to seep out. 1000m of the Big Bag Defence System can be deployed within a few hours, with minimum levels of labour required. This speed is aided by the lifting capabilities of the bags within the system, which have been rigorously tested and has a 5:1 safety factor. This also helps the speed and ease of the removal and clean-up operation, leaving no permanent impact on the area. As well as flooding it can be used as multi-purpose barrier in that can be deployed in water, used in specialist uses such as coastal erosion, military emplacements, oil spill contamination, bridge repairs, and environmental projects. Once removed it provides no lasting effects on the environment so it can be used as temporary barrier in environmentally sensitive locations.

About Global Flood Solutions

Global Flood Solutions is a 100% Irish owned company based in Co. Roscommon, it was set up by two Roscommon natives Shane Curran and Gerard Brennan in 2009.  The company’s team has over 30 years combined experience in innovation and engineering. They are the exclusive suppliers of the Big Bag System in Ireland, UK and many other countries throughout the World.

Managing Director, Shane Curran is best known in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) circles as the former goalkeeper for Roscommon Senior football team and was a League of Ireland goalkeeper for Athlone Town Football Club. He has extensive experience the construction and sport industries. In 2005 he was commissioned by the GAA to invent a new type of Gaelic Football kicking tee, from which he invented Puntee™ kicking Tee, which is currently in use by GAA clubs.

Gerard Brennan is Director of International Operations, has 17 years’ engineering experience. He was formerly employed in senior engineering positions with the UK’s Laing O’ Rourke Group, Irish firms McEniff Group, Glenbeigh Construction and Kilroe Developments, where he built homes for the super-rich such as Michael O’ Leary (Ryanair) and Adam Clayton of U2.

Global Flood Solutions has also partnered up with Frank McNamara to open a US office in Boston. Frank also originates from Co. Roscommon but has lived in the US for twenty years where he runs Global Flood Solutions America.
For more details please see http://www.globalfloodsolutions.ie/

In Clontarf, in Dublin, the City Council is planning to spend €11m on building a 3.5m flood bank in order protect the area from tidal flooding. Global Flood Solutions surveyed the Clontarf seafront last week and have been speaking with local groups. They estimate that by providing their Big Bags’ System flood barrier as an alternative solution, Dublin City Council could save €6m alone on this project.

The new proposals have been agreed using the Council’s fast-track planning powers, which do not provide for public consultation. This has resulted in a huge amount of opposition from local businesses and residents who feel strongly that scheme will damage the seafront and provide a permanent eyesore even when there isn’t a threat from flooding. Global Flood Solutions firmly believes that given the importance and cost of the controversial project, that the plans should opened to more of debate with local stakeholders as to all the possible options for a flood barrier in Clontarf.

The firm’s Big Bags’ System could also have helped protect many areas of Dublin during last week’s flooding. In the winter there is a constant threat that Dublin’s three main rivers the Liffey, Tolka and Dodder could flood, due to the inadequacy of the rivers defences. Last week the Stillorgan Reservoir was also breached. Such instances of flooding in Dublin could be avoided using the Big Bags’ Systems providing an additional flood barrier and protect the city. The Big Bags’ System can be left as a permanent defence over the winter months and removed when flood threats abate, leaving no impact on the environment or local amenities. Each System extends to a 4.5m linear waterproof barrier almost a metre high, consisting of five consecutive polypropylene bags with a waterproof sealant, which can be stacked for a higher defence and laid consecutively so there are no gaps for water to penetrate.

In instances where there are known to be weaknesses in the drains’ system, and where flooding occurs due to backing up of the system, the big bags can be deployed along thoroughfares which are prone to flooding, thus protecting the businesses and residences along those routes.

Global Flood Solutions also believes that the Big Bags’ System could have helped protect Dundrum Town Centre by deflecting water away from the shopping centre. It would be impractical to lay the systems around the whole of the Centre, but for instances like last week, where flood waters came down from higher ground, then the Big Bags’ Systems could have be deployed along the entrances facing Sandyford Road in order to deflect flood waters away from the centre and further down the road.

Shane Curran, Managing Director of Global Flood Solutions, adds: “we pride ourselves on providing a flood defence system that can rapidly respond to the growing needs of international governments to protect lives and vital infrastructure. This year alone we have protected the city of Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada; and DC Water’s Blue Plains facility, the largest waste water treatmentcerntre in the world. The Big Bags’ System is also currently being field tested in different scenarios by the UK’s Environment Agency.

“We are an the only Irish company that is supplying a multi-award-winning affordable flood barrier to local authorities across the world and we’d be delighted to engage with our own authorities to deliver a comprehensive solution to our own flooding problems.”

As flooding becomes more widespread and difficult to predict the EU Floods Directive advises more rapid-response temporary measures as they are required, thus reducing costs to the exchequer on funding permanent barriers and lessening the permanent impact on the environment.

In Ireland the distribution contract for the Big Bags’ System has just been awarded to Kilkenny company MW Hire in a deal that was agreed in the wake of the floods last week. It is estimated to worth €3.2m over three years.

For enquiries please contact Simon Palmer or Republic PR on +353 (0) 851 341 761 or email simon@republicpr.ie

Note to Editors

Specifications of the Big Bags Defence System

The major advantage of the Big Bag Defence System is its concertina design of five robust polypropylene bags, which means it can be deployed and filled within two minutes, faster than any other flood defence system, and costs less per unit than more conventional sandbags. Each Big Bag Defence System extends to 4.5m in length, and 0.9m in height and width, and provides a barrier equivalent to 670 conventional sand bags. It is water repellent on the front side and has a unique filtration component on the rear side, which allows the rainwater to seep out. 1000m of the Big Bag Defence System can be deployed within a few hours, with minimum levels of labour required. This speed is aided by the lifting capabilities of the bags within the system, which have been rigorously tested and has a 5:1 safety factor. This also helps the speed and ease of the removal and clean-up operation, leaving no permanent impact on the area. As well as flooding it can be used as multi-purpose barrier in that can be deployed in water, used in specialist uses such as coastal erosion, military emplacements, oil spill contamination, bridge repairs, and environmental projects. Once removed it provides no lasting effects on the environment so it can be used as temporary barrier in environmentally sensitive locations.

About Global Flood Solutions

Global Flood Solutions is a 100% Irish owned company based in Co. Roscommon, it was set up by two Roscommon natives Shane Curran and Gerard Brennan in 2009. The company’s team has over 30 years combined experience in innovation and engineering. They are the exclusive suppliers of the Big Bag System in Ireland, UK and many other countries throughout the World.

Managing Director, Shane Curran is best known in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) circles as the former goalkeeper for Roscommon Senior football team and was a League of Ireland goalkeeper for Athlone Town Football Club. He has extensive experience the construction and sport industries. In 2005 he was commissioned by the GAA to invent a new type of Gaelic Football kicking tee, from which he invented Puntee™ kicking Tee, which is currently in use by GAA clubs.

Gerard Brennan is Director of International Operations, has 17 years’ engineering experience. He was formerly employed in senior engineering positions with the UK’s Laing O’ Rourke Group, Irish firms McEniff Group, Glenbeigh Construction and Kilroe Developments, where he built homes for the super-rich such as Michael O’ Leary (Ryanair) and Adam Clayton of U2.

Global Flood Solutions has also partnered up with Frank McNamara to open a US office in Boston. Frank also originates from Co. Roscommon but has lived in the US for twenty years where he runs Global Flood Solutions America.

For more details please see http://www.globalfloodsolutions.ie/