ELEVATABLE BUILDING FOR PREVENTING FLOOD DAMAGE

Abstract

An elevatable building including a foundation (18) set into a ground surface and a platform (15) that, in the event of a flood, is to be elevated by a lifting mechanism (19). The building includes lightweight walls (14) and a roof assembled on the platform (15) to form a house. An adaptable connection (28) for utility services is provided which adjusts to the height from ground level of the platform when it is raised or lowered by the lifting mechanism so that vital service to the house can remain uninterrupted.

Claims

1. An elevatable building for preventing flood damage including: a foundation permanently set into a ground level surface; a platform; a lifting mechanism associated with the platform, having at least one vertical shaft engage-able with a driving means for raising the platform above the ground level surface and away from the foundation; a plurality of walls and a roof assembled on the platform that define a habitable space of the building; and an adaptable connection for directing utility services from the ground level toward and/or into the habitable space, wherein the adaptable connection is capable of adapting to the height from ground level of the platform when it is raised or lowered by the lifting mechanism, thereby enabling utility services to remain connected while the platform is raised above the ground level surface.

2. The elevatable building of claim 1, further including at least one guide post extending vertically from the foundation.

3. The elevatable building of claim 2 wherein the at least one guide post is telescopic and/or received by a sleeve portion of the platform.

4. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of guide posts positioned adjacent corners of the building.

5. The elevatable building of claim 4 wherein there are a plurality of vertical shafts engageable with the driving means via a reduction gearbox, each located adjacent a guide post at a corner of the building.

6. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls and/or roof are lightweight in order to assist/contribute to structural performance.

7. The elevatable building of claim 1, including a control means able to activate the lifting mechanism in response to a manual command, e.g. push button, or automatically in response to a flood warning signal via a central CPU system.

8. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein the adaptable connection incorporates and/or acts as a duct for any of the following services, singularly or in combination: potable water piping, waste water piping, electrical cabling, communications cabling.

9. The elevatable building of claim 8 wherein the adaptable connection includes a telescopic column or cladding.

10. The elevatable building of claim 1, including an elongate sleeve for accommodating the at least one vertical shaft.

11. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein the drive means includes a single motor engageable via one or more drive shafts to the at least one vertical shaft.

12. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein the vertical member of the lifting mechanism is threaded, engageable with a drive surface that rotates the vertical shaft causing axial movement.

13. The elevatable building of claim 12 wherein a foot element, set into the foundation, receives a distal end of the vertical shaft and supports rotating movement thereof.

14. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein a main sewage line, approaching the house from an underground position, includes a non-return valve.

15. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein waste water from the building is able to be directed to a waste water tank located below ground level.

16. The elevatable building of claim 15 wherein the below ground waste water tank has at least 1000 L capacity.

17. The elevatable building of claim 1, wherein a header tank is provided that, in normal use, is maintained in a substantially full state from a mains water supply.

18. The elevatable building of claim 15 wherein the header tank has 500 to 900 L capacity, most preferably 650 to 800 L.

19. The elevatable building of claim 1, including a grey water tank, connectable to receive water from grey water sources, e.g. sink, shower and/or laundry, for use in toilet flushing.

20. The elevatable building of claim 1, including means to disconnect and reconnect utility services such as electricity, water and telecommunications.

21. The elevatable building of claim 1, including a photovoltaic array, solar thermal, air source or other means of energy generation from solar energy for powering main or auxiliary services.

22. The elevatable building of claim 1, adapted for location on uneven ground, wherein there are a plurality of vertical shafts each set at a different extension from the platform in order to account for the uneven ground, yet maintain the building horizontally level.

23. The elevatable building of claim 1, including a net material attached to the foundation and an underside of the platform which unfolds to form a net as the building elevates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a general view of a lightweight house construction, incorporated into an elevatable building according to the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevatable platform in the lowered position;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates the elevatable platform from FIG. 2 in a raised position;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an underside view of an elevating mechanism according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates an overview, corresponding to FIG. 4;

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a pictorial view of an elevating mechanism;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates an underside view of a corner of the elevatable platform;

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates an overview of the corner portion as shown in FIG. 7;

[0029] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate views of a ground level and raised house according to the invention; and

[0030] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate aspects of an adaptable connection for utility services.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates the type of building structure that is intended to be erected for use with an elevatable platform and lightweight house/building according to the present invention. Particularly, a house considered suitable for use would incorporate composite technology (as pictured in FIG. 1). However, other forms of lightweight building are possible, e.g. utilising timber or a light gauge steel frame as a solution.

[0032] In the illustrated form, house 10 is built on two levels with a main base 11, a first floor 12 and a roof 13. Roof 13 is shown with a flat configuration, but it could take any conventional form, including multiple pitch designs. House 10 is intended to be constructed from state-of-the-art techniques and materials to meet current building standards. The dwelling (e.g. particularly the base 11, roof 13 and side walls 14shown in collapsed form in FIG. 1) should be weather-proof, but not necessarily sealed because it is intended to lift above flood waters should the need arise, as will be described hereinafter. Furthermore, the base and floor surfaces must bear the respective loads of building weight and items kept in the house such as furniture etc.

[0033] It is a particular feature of a house according to the invention that the floors and walls 14 are constructed from lightweight materials that provide significant insulation properties. House 10 is intended to be energy efficient so that the cost of heating and/or cooling the living space will be minimised.

[0034] A skilled person in the art of modern building manufacture will be familiar with the kinds of materials and specifications used to construct a lightweight house according to the invention. An exact selection of materials is not intended to limit the invention. Of course, it will be possible to substitute various components for alternative, new and/or improved materials as these become known.

[0035] FIGS. 2 to 8 illustrate a preferred form of elevating platform/mechanism upon which a house as shown in FIG. 1 could be mounted. The platform is constructed from rigid beam members 15 in a shape that generally conforms to the base 11 of house 10. In the illustrated form this is a rectangle, however, other shapes are contemplated such as an L-shape. Indeed, the elevatable platform 15 could also incorporate curved/circular parts depending on the house design. Furthermore, platform 15 as illustrated could be incorporated with base 11 such that a separate platform and base is unnecessary. This is particularly the case where a steel frame house system is utilised, making up the majority of the base, wall and roof components.

[0036] Platform 15 is associated with a series of guide posts 16 passing therethrough, preferably located at strategic positions, e.g. at a corner of the platform. Each guide post is received by a sleeve 17 (best seen in FIG. 8) provided through platform beam 15 and co-extends with its associated post far enough to ensure that platform 15 must rise or fall evenly and in a substantially horizontal plane. Guide posts 16 could be fully telescopic in nature. Preferably, posts 16 move within the cavity space in the walls and can be fully integrated into the design so they are not externally visible. In such cases, internal removable panels will be needed for maintenance. Services may also utilise the void in the cavity i.e. potable water.

[0037] It is noteworthy that a foundation portion 18 (preferably of concrete) should preferably be arranged in a horizontally level excavation, however, it is conceivable that the foundation could be built into uneven ground and guideposts 16 have corresponding uneven lengths, but ensure that the platform/base 15 itself remains horizontally level at all times. At its lowest level (as shown in FIG. 2) platform 15 could rest on piles or other foundation supports that achieve a horizontal resting place for platform 15. The building should ideally remain at least partially raised above the ground at all times.

[0038] Also at strategic points around platform 15 a series of powered lifting devices, generally denoted 19, are located. In the illustrated form these devices 19 are often adjacent a guidepost 16, but this is not essential. Furthermore, lifting devices 19 are shown only at a peripheral edge of platform 15 but could be located in any convenient position inside the periphery. Indeed, a guidepost and lifting device could be located at a central portion of the house corresponding to the centre of gravity and, in practice, hidden within a wall or column, with internal panels of the house allowing access for maintenance of the system.

[0039] In the illustrated form best seen by FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 of the drawings, each lifting device 19 features a threaded vertical shaft 20, extending through a housing 21 that incorporates a mechanism to cause rotation of the threaded shaft and hence enable it to move along a longitudinal axis and lift platform 15 away from the foundation surface 18.

[0040] This type of drive technology is commercially available, e.g. as supplied by Power Jacks of Scotland. Potentially other lifting systems are possible as a replacement, e.g. incorporating hydraulic or pneumatic shafts, however, it is expected that the simplicity and robustness of a power jack is best suited for the invention.

[0041] Each threaded shaft 19 is received above platform 15 in a sleeve 22 of comparable length, such that the entire threaded portion is substantially enclosed when platform 15 is in its lowermost position (FIG. 2), which corresponds to most of its service life. In other words, since house 10 and platform 15 is only intended to be raised during an emergency flood event (or periodic testing), threaded shafts 19 will normally not be visible. Furthermore, guideposts 16 and upstanding sleeve portions 22 will likely be hidden within sidewalls, supporting columns of the house or associated cladding such that it is not externally apparent that the house is capable of being raised from its foundations. The main benefit of this is that there can be a traditional (or custom) appearance to the external finish of the property.

[0042] In a preferred form of the invention the elevating mechanism 19 is preferably driven by a single power source, such as a torque motor. Each shaft housing 21 (e.g. a reduction gearbox) receives a drive shaft 23, ultimately connected to torque motor 24 for actuation of the elevation function. The torque motor can be both driven from mains electricity and/or a battery charged by renewable devices. It is intended that platform 15 is raised evenly at all corners, although advanced versions of the elevatable house could provide independent control of the elevation points which might account for subsidence or other irregularities in the foundation level and assist with maintenance or repairs. Such an arrangement would require modification to sleeve 17 to enable a degree of tilt.

[0043] Each threaded shaft 19 is abutted against a foot element 25 built into the foundation. A foot 25 could include a ball joint or other bearing means that enables shafts 19 to turn while providing a solid surface against which to push against, thereby elevating platform 15 as shaft 19 extends relative to housing 21.

[0044] The elevating function can be managed by a controller, triggered manually (by an override function) or in automatic response to a particular signal, e.g. flood warning issued by a local authority/Environment Agency or a flow switch. In the case of the Environment Agency, this has one of the most sophisticated storm and water level monitoring systems in the world. In the case of a flow switch, this could be set at a lower level to the house so that the house starts to elevate before floodwater has a chance to reach it.

[0045] The control device of the elevating function is intended to work in conjunction with the flood warning system, primarily responding to email and sms warnings but also having a secondary response to radio signals from a transponder (e.g. as provided by Jigsaw M2M or Aquaread). The speed of elevation can be as fast or slow as practical and safe according to the operating capabilities of the components and the system can be set to have different height settings based on local flood risk levels. A relatively slow elevation would provide the best power efficiency and would be suitable in almost all circumstances, except a flash flood caused by a river breaking its banks etc., although even an event such as that could be predicted ahead of time.

[0046] It will be clear to a skilled reader that the maximum elevation is dictated by the guideposts and vertical shafts of the lift mechanism which could be built to any specification, in consideration of known safety factors. The elevation requirements of any particular house can be assessed according to historical and projected data for the likelihood and severity of a flood in a particular area. The expected standard specification of lift mechanism according to the invention would be two metres above ground level with a capacity of twenty tonnes minimum, although it is preferable that the building is raised to a minimum safe height for a given situation and should not be raised to a full extension where there is no need. Greater height gives greater risk of instability, especially from high wind conditions in a storm.

[0047] For the house to remain habitable when at an elevated position it is intended that service and drainage connections be adapted for continued use, i.e. up to a height of approximately two metres for at least three days, while flood waters inundate the foundations of the house. This requires consideration of water supply/removal, electricity, gas and telecommunications. In practice it is likely that municipal supplies will be turned off during a flood situation for safety reasons, however, the present system makes provision for reconnection as soon as services are available or provides the ability for vital functions to remain active in the event of an emergency.

[0048] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate various features of the connections which could enable an elevated house to be habitable.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a house 10 in a normal grounded position where a power/telephone pole 26 is situated adjacent. Relatively little modification to conventional connections may be needed so long as power line 27 has sufficient flexibility and length to account for a 2 metre change in elevation. Alternatively, or in addition, various connections may be made from an underground supply by way of a telescopic column or cladding 28, best shown by FIG. 12. It is preferable that utilities are grouped together at one corner of the house 10 and contained within the service column 28 which is weather proof, resilient and protective. For example, potable water could flow within the vertical steel stanchion. FIG. 10 shows the house 10 in a raised position where column 28 is extended.

[0050] Services are connectable via flexible pipes, i.e. coiled (FIG. 11) 29 and/or telescopic 30, to accommodate elevation of the house, e.g. up to two metres.

[0051] Preferably, in one form of the invention, an electric meter will be housed within a sealed box 35 that remains at ground level, such that the main supply cable remains unmoved during a flood. Meanwhile, a service cable from the meter to the house is flexible or telescopic as mentioned for use when the house elevates.

[0052] Preferably the main sewage line 31 out of house 10 is fitted with a non-return valve 32 in order to prevent foul water back into the property. The integral self-activating flap valve will operate under flood conditions when water surges back through the drainage system. Outgoing waste can also be bypassed to an emergency waste water tank 33 located underground. After flood waters have receded and the property is back at ground level, flow to the main sewage system will return and tank 33 can be emptied and cleaned by a service engineer.

[0053] An example of suitable non-return valve is the Flood Angel. A suitable tank may be a Vortech 1100 L underground water tank in a vertical orientation (by contrast to the horizontal tank 33 illustrated).

[0054] Regulations may dictate that water supply pipes from public mains require a cut off valve and mechanism to temporarily disconnect supply to the house when is it elevated. After the supply pipe is disconnected, a supply of clean water is provided from an emergency storage tank, e.g. located within the house itself. The emergency storage tank will need to be connected to the mains supply during normal conditions so that it is filled with water ready for the emergency scenario. In effect it is a buffer tank. It should also be suitably sized to be capable of supplying the required amount of water needed for the household, e.g. calculated at two litres per person per day equals twenty four litres of potable water for four people for three days.

[0055] If it is considered that washing facilities, as well as drinking water, are needed in the emergency scenario, then a larger emergency storage tank will be required. It has been established above that 24 litres of drinking water is needed for a household of 4 people over 3 days. If the house is fitted with a 6/9 litres per minute shower, a person taking a 5 minute shower will use up to 45 litres of water, so for a household of 4 persons having a daily shower that would equate to 180 litres per day. It is expected that potable water will remain connected and water authorities continue to keep supply on in the event of a flood.

[0056] By making an allowance for hand washing and use of a kitchen sink, guidance given in the Code for Sustainable Homes indicates a rate of 10.5 L/person/day. So, for 4 people a figure of 42 L/day is expected.

[0057] For a period of 3 days, a 4 person household would require: [0058] Drinking water for 3 days=83=24 litres [0059] Daily shower for 3 days=1803=540 litres [0060] Taps (hand wash, kitchen, utility)=423=126 litres [0061] Total emergency water required=690 litres

[0062] An emergency storage tank of 690 litres (minimum capacity) would be required, however, there is a risk that the quality of water will deteriorate if too much water is stored and turnover is low. It is important that the water quality from the emergency storage tank is suitable for drinking, so it should be regularly replenished, until the point of disconnection in times of flooding. The tank should be an approved type made from appropriate materials and sealed, with the exception of associated pipework. There should be a regular maintenance regime, which would include water quality testing. The system can be designed so that the water from the emergency storage tank can be heated on demand for showers from Solar PV means. The preparation of the property for off grid functions can be controlled by the same central device used to control the lifting system either automatically by electronics or instructions to follow as part of a lift initiation sequence.

[0063] Consideration should be given to the weight of this tank when filled and where it is located within the house. If the tank is not located in the loft, a pump will be required to distribute the water. It may be possible for the pump to be powered by photovoltaics.

[0064] As discussed above, care would need to be taken to ensure that a storage tank of this size is able to maintain the water quality standards required for potable water. Health and Safety issues must be addressed for a temporary storage solution.

[0065] With regard to toilet flushing during an elevated/emergency use situation, grey water can be used to provide water for toilet flushing in the emergency situation. A cut off valve and mechanism to temporarily disconnect the mains water supply to the house is required for when the house is lifted. After the supply pipe is disconnected, a supply of water will come from the header tank in the loft, which will feed a gravity supply to toilet(s) in the house. The header tank will be filled during normal conditions, so that it is ready for the emergency scenario. The capacity of the header tank should be sufficient to supply the required amount of water needed for the household, which is calculated as follows.

[0066] On average the number of toilet flushes per person per day is 5, so for a 4 person household there would be 20 flushes per day. Based on a 3 day period, the amount of water required for a household of 4 persons for flushing=203=60 litres. Accordingly, a temporary supply of 60 litres (minimum capacity) would be required to provide the household with a working toilet for up to 3 days.

[0067] If an underground harvesting tank is used, it will need to be designed against flotation and the connection to it will be disconnected and then reconnected when the house is lowered to ground level and flood waters have receded to a safe distance. Again, Health and Safety issues will be addressed with Local Authority Environmental Officers.

[0068] It is desirable that an emergency storage tank is available, as illustrated, for waste water disposal. Foul waste water pipes to the public sewers require a cut off valve (32) and mechanism to temporarily disconnect the foul outfall pipe 31 from the house when it is elevated. After the outfall pipe is disconnected, foul waste water is directed to the emergency waste water storage tank 33, which could alternatively be located within the house itself.

[0069] The location of the waste water tank is an important consideration, as septic tanks are usually placed below ground and are vented. Given the fact that there will be rising flood waters, an underground tank may not be able to provide ventilation (without a snorkel) and may itself be at risk of flooding or flotation. It is for these reasons that an above ground waste water tank may be preferable, however health and safety issues may arise from locating a waste water tank above ground even it is only for a short period of time.

[0070] The waste water tank, could be located on the ground floor of the house and can be fitted to the gravity feed system via a bypass pipe that can be manually opened if the usual outlet to the foul sewer system is closed. The system can be connected with an air admittance valve if necessary. During normal conditions the tank would be clean and empty so that is ready for the emergency scenario. The waste water tank should be suitably sized to cater for the household over a 3 day period, which is calculated as follows:

[0071] Based on the above figures, the total emergency water supply for 4 people over 3 days is: [0072] Drinking Water24 litres [0073] Bathing540 litres [0074] Taps126 litres [0075] Toilet flushing60 litres [0076] Total=750 litres

[0077] It should be emphasised that this is more than enough for the vast majority of emergency scenarios. A waste water storage tank of 1,000 litres (as illustrated in an underground position) would provide the household with more than an adequate emergency foul storage facility for up to 3 days.

[0078] Reconnection of the mains system is required when the house is lowered to ground level and the flood waters have receded to a safe distance, and emptying and cleaning of the waste water storage tank will also be necessary, significantly reducing the clean up time taken to enable an occupant to safely return to a usable home.

[0079] Electricity, gas (which is an optional service not required if the lightweight house is either passive or highly energy efficient) and phone lines will require a disconnection mechanism to temporarily disconnect the service lines from the house when it is elevated. It is proposed that the house will be fitted with Solar PV panels 34 on the roof, which will provide a source of electrical energy to the house when the mains supply is disconnected. Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells do not need direct sunlight to work, as they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power household appliances and lighting. An air source Heat pump and solar thermal technology can also be utilised (and work when the property is elevated).

[0080] Preferably, heating and cooking appliances would have to be compatible with electricity from a PV or other renewable source of supply.

[0081] Reconnection of the utility lines is required when the house is lowered to ground level and the flood waters have receded to a safe distance.

[0082] A further modification according to the invention involves installation of a net/mesh material attached by opposing edges to the underside of the platform/base 15 and foundation 18. As such, when the lifting mechanism is engaged to raise the building, a net (normally collapsed/folded) is erected that prevents entry to the exposed foundation area underneath the building. This avoids debris being deposited under the building from flood waters and denies unauthorised access by people. The net/mesh may be laid on in a shape to match the building floorplan, e.g. a rectangular fence is erectable corresponding to platform 15 of FIG. 2.

[0083] In any event, if debris is inadvertently deposited (or breaks through the net) then this at least can be removed before the building is lowered since control of that function is possible in an active (compared to passive) system.