NOAQ Boxwall BW52
NOAQ Boxwall
The NOAQ Boxwall is a freestanding temporary flood barrier. It is designed specifically for the urban environment, with even surfaces like asphalt streets and concrete floors.
A NOAQ Boxwall BW52 is able to dam 50 cm of water and is self-anchoring. It is automatically ballasted by the own weight of the flood water. The higher the water rises, the harder the barrier is pressed firm against the ground.
Utilizing the weight of the water, the barrier itself doesn’t need to be heavy. Individual ”boxes” weigh only 3.4 kg each and the barrier not more than 5.5 kg per meter. This makes it easy to use, and very fast. Two people can build 200 linear metres of Boxwall in an hour.
A Boxwall is built by snapping the boxes together. No tools are needed. Gradual curves are made by
connecting the boxes at a slight angle, and for corners there are specific corner boxes.
The Boxwall can also be used during a flash flooding event to divert water away from vulnerable areas. A number of boxes are put in the flowing water and will stick directly to the ground. The boxes are stackable, which means they require very little space for storage and transport. 26 boxes (16 m) fit on a standard pallet, and a 20’ container can take 357 m of Boxwall.
- Damming ability 50 cm (20’’)
- Dimension of boxes (L X W X H) 705 x 680 x 528 mm
- Effective length 625 mm (2’) per box
- Weight 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) per box
- Speed of deployment Ca 200 m (220 yd) per hour
- Minimum curve radius 1.0 m (in both directions)
- Material Polypropylene
- Temperature resistance -30° – +90°C
BENEFITS
Lightweight – can be deployed quickly by a single person.
Speed – the low weight enables fast deployment – save more property in less time.
Stable – friction and water pressure ensures flood barrier is stable and well anchored.
Flexible – can be used in curves and at corners, using bespoke corner sections. It can also cover small steps, using special ‘gable’ sections.
Efficient- takes little storage space when stacked and is easy to transport.
USES
Single openings and driveways.
Single buildings to whole residential and commercial areas.
Fast response flash flood diversion.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is the damming ability of the Boxwall?
50 cm, to the upper edge of the wall, as indicated by the model name ”BW50”. Should the water rise
further the Boxwall will still be standing, reducing the inflow of water to the intended dry area.
further the Boxwall will still be standing, reducing the inflow of water to the intended dry area.
Can a Boxwall be used also in flowing water?
Yes, it can be used to divert fast flowing water in flash floods. Then the individual ”boxes” are put
directly in the water current, although at some angle against the stream, in order to lead the water
to where you wish to get it, where it makes less harm.
directly in the water current, although at some angle against the stream, in order to lead the water
to where you wish to get it, where it makes less harm.
How is it anchored?
It is automatically anchored by the own weight of the flood water. When damming water to the upper
edge each box is presses against the subsurface by some 200 kg of water. On the undersides of the
boxes are a couple of high friction rubber soles that gives a sufficient grip.
edge each box is presses against the subsurface by some 200 kg of water. On the undersides of the
boxes are a couple of high friction rubber soles that gives a sufficient grip.
What are the dimensions of the Boxwall?
Each Boxwall unit (”box”) has the following dimensions:
Length: 705 mm (along the wall)
Width: 680 mm
Height: 528 mm (including the locking mechanism on top of the box)
Length: 705 mm (along the wall)
Width: 680 mm
Height: 528 mm (including the locking mechanism on top of the box)
How many boxes do I need for a certain wall length?
Count on 705 mm for the first box and add 625 mm for each of the following ones. This means that 16
boxes are needed for a wall length of 10 metre.
boxes are needed for a wall length of 10 metre.
What’s the weight?
3.4 kg per box, which means 5.5 kg per running metre.
How much space does a Boxwall need when stored and transported?
The boxes are stackable. Each new box adds not more than 15 mm (vertical and horizontal) to the
pile. This means 26 boxes (16 meters of wall) fit on a standard 800 x 1,200 mm pallet, and 572 boxes
(a little more than 350 meters) can be put in a 20’ container.
pile. This means 26 boxes (16 meters of wall) fit on a standard 800 x 1,200 mm pallet, and 572 boxes
(a little more than 350 meters) can be put in a 20’ container.
How is a Boxwall built up?
You work from left to right, adding one box at a time to the wall by snapping it to the last one. After
having adjusted the position and direction of the wall the boxes are fixed to eachother by using a
spring clamp. Finally you may put some weight on the front edge of each box, a sandbag or the like,
to secure it somewhat against hard winds.
having adjusted the position and direction of the wall the boxes are fixed to eachother by using a
spring clamp. Finally you may put some weight on the front edge of each box, a sandbag or the like,
to secure it somewhat against hard winds.
Is it possible to make curves and corners?
Yes, two boxes can be attached at an angle of +/-3°, which means it can easily follow bending roads.
For more abrupt turns there are certain corner boxes, for inward and outward corners resp. They have
a built in angle of 30°, which gives a curve radius of only 1 metre. Twelve corner boxes make a circle,
and with the inward version it is hereby possible to make a temporary basin, a ”Boxpool”.
For more abrupt turns there are certain corner boxes, for inward and outward corners resp. They have
a built in angle of 30°, which gives a curve radius of only 1 metre. Twelve corner boxes make a circle,
and with the inward version it is hereby possible to make a temporary basin, a ”Boxpool”.
On what surfaces does it work?
The Boxwall is designed for hard and even surfaces like asphalt streets and concrete floors.
For uneven and/or soft surfaces there is the NOAQTubewall.
For uneven and/or soft surfaces there is the NOAQTubewall.
Why does the surface need to be hard?
The drop in water pressure, from the flood side to the empty space under the box, takes place in a
very short distance. If the subsurface is erosive the steep gradient may lead to erosion, which may
in turn lead to the failure of the ground on which the Boxwall is standing.
very short distance. If the subsurface is erosive the steep gradient may lead to erosion, which may
in turn lead to the failure of the ground on which the Boxwall is standing.
How to cope with kerbstones?
To pass a kerbstone there are certain ”gable elements”. Two such are put back-to-back, one down
on the street and the other up on the sidewalk, and screwed together. The Boxwall is then divided
in two, and the two Boxwall parts are connected to each of the gables.
on the street and the other up on the sidewalk, and screwed together. The Boxwall is then divided
in two, and the two Boxwall parts are connected to each of the gables.
What is the Boxwall made of?
Vacuumformed 6 mm ABS plastic.
Is it reuseable?
Yes, damaged boxes can be shredded and used for new boxes, together with spill from the manufacturing.
Is it vandal proof?
Nothing is completely vandal proof but the Boxwall is very resistant to damage.
What about leakage? Are pumps needed?
A certain amount of water will always leak through and under all freestanding barriers, despite
sealing strips. Water will also leak through the ground itself and appear on the intended dry side
of the barrier. Therefore one or more pumps are always needed to pump it back. What pumping
capacity is needed depends on the wall length and the conditions of the ground. It is also important
to make sure to block drainage systems and culverts that may convey water under the barriers into
the protected area.
To minimize the amount of leakwater the Boxwall can be covered by a thin liner. A such is available
both in long lengths (for boxwalls) as well as in wider formats (for Boxpools).
sealing strips. Water will also leak through the ground itself and appear on the intended dry side
of the barrier. Therefore one or more pumps are always needed to pump it back. What pumping
capacity is needed depends on the wall length and the conditions of the ground. It is also important
to make sure to block drainage systems and culverts that may convey water under the barriers into
the protected area.
To minimize the amount of leakwater the Boxwall can be covered by a thin liner. A such is available
both in long lengths (for boxwalls) as well as in wider formats (for Boxpools).
When should a Boxwall be preferred before a Tubewall?
The NOAQ Tubewall is still the allround barrier working as well on asphalt and concrete as on
gravel roads and bumpy meadows. You may regard the NOAQ Boxwall as a special product for
the special conditions in urban areas. It is also easier to use for non-professionals, which means
the residents of a residential area, the staff of a company and the students of a school can be
trusted for the task of building a Boxwall to protect their own facilities.
gravel roads and bumpy meadows. You may regard the NOAQ Boxwall as a special product for
the special conditions in urban areas. It is also easier to use for non-professionals, which means
the residents of a residential area, the staff of a company and the students of a school can be
trusted for the task of building a Boxwall to protect their own facilities.
Is it possible to connect a Boxwall to a Tubewall?
Yes, by letting them overlap, and using the Tubewall’s joint cover to cover the connection zone
Is it possible to connect a Boxwall to a vertical concrete or brick wall in deep water?
Yes, as long as the permanent wall is supporting the end of the Boxwall. When the permanent wall
is running in the same, or nearly the same, direction as the Boxwall, there is no problem. If the
Boxwall is to be attached perpendicular to a permanent wall you could either use a gable or let the
Boxwall swing up 90° against the wall with the use of three inward corner boxes. The connection
Boxwall/wall may need some extra sealing. A couple of cell foam strips are enclosed with every
order, but a sheet of liner may sometime be a better choice.
is running in the same, or nearly the same, direction as the Boxwall, there is no problem. If the
Boxwall is to be attached perpendicular to a permanent wall you could either use a gable or let the
Boxwall swing up 90° against the wall with the use of three inward corner boxes. The connection
Boxwall/wall may need some extra sealing. A couple of cell foam strips are enclosed with every
order, but a sheet of liner may sometime be a better choice.