Today we are talking about flood warning & evacuation plans. The impact of flooding can be devastating, particularly for businesses, with studies showing that approximately 40% of businesses never recover after experiencing a flood at their premises. Although often costly, the damage caused by a flood can be repaired over time and minimised through incorporating PFR Measures. However, the risk to human life is irreplaceable.
Therefore, it is not only important to initially protect a site against flood risk in the form of implementing PFR measures, but also ensure that the site occupants understand and know what to do prior/during a flood event. This often comes under the development of a site-specific Flood Warning & Evacuation Plan (FWEP).
What is a FWEP?
Also referred to as a Flood Emergency Plan, the aim of a FWEP is to enable a well organised and safe evacuation of site occupants, to a pre-determined safe location should a major flood event occur. The FWEP should include a summary of the site’s flood risk, including any mitigation measures in place, along with relevant contact details, outlining the procedures for site occupants to undertake during a flood event, as well as a safe evacuation route and location.
Why do you need a FWEP?
A comprehensive FWEP is critical for several reasons. Firstly, the safety of the site occupants is the primary goal of a FWEP, whether that be employees who work at a business, tenants who live at a property or paying customers for leisurely purposes such at hotels or B&B’s. A FWEP will outline an evacuation procedure for the site occupants and a safe point of refuge, ensuring that all personnel are safe.
FWEP’s can play an important role for business continuity. By making employees aware of potential evacuation procedures and incorporating the site specific FWEP into Health & Safety Training, a business can reduce downtime and recover more quickly after a flood event. This proactive approach allows business operations and procedures to resume sooner and with less disruption.
Legal compliance is also an important factor. In many jurisdictions, businesses are required to have emergency plans in place to ensure the safety of employees during natural disasters, including floods. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in penalties or legal consequences.
Additionally, having a well-documented FWEP can simplify the insurance claims process and reduce liability risks. Businesses and personnel who can demonstrate a commitment to employee safety and preparedness are often seen more favourably by insurers.
Are there legal requirements for a FWEP?
In England, while there is no direct legal requirement for a FWEP, businesses are legally obligated to ensure the safety of employees/occupants, assess risks, and prepare for emergencies like flooding under various health, safety, and environmental regulations. A well-prepared FWEP helps meet these legal responsibilities, by providing a clear approach for protecting the property and occupants during a flood event. The specific requirements for FWEP’s will be determined by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) or Environment Agency (EA), which may require a FWEP to be undertaken depending on the flood risk and/or development proposals. Whether a FWEP is needed is usually determined during the pre-planning stage when a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required.
Case Study – FRA and FWEP:
FPS Environmental recently undertook an FRA and FWEP to support a planning application for a site located in Bristol, situated within Flood Zone 3 and within close proximity to the River Avon. The site proposals comprised the redevelopment to the existing building for residential purposes, thus classifying the development type as a ‘More Vulnerable’ development according to Table 2 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Due to the nature of the planning proposals and the combined risk of fluvial and tidal flooding to the site, the EA required a FWEP to be prepared for the site and used in conjunction with the FRA. The FWEP outlined the potential flood risk to the site, identified the relevant EA Flood Alert Areas and Warning Areas site occupants could sign up to, and developed an evacuation route for the site occupants to a safe refuge point within Flood Zone 1.
What’s Next?
At FPS Environmental, we understand the importance of having an effective FWEP in place. Our team specialises in helping organisations assess flood risks and develop comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety of employees, clients and property. Please get in touch with us if you require an FRA or FWEP as part of your planning application or to comply with your business safety requirements.
Written by Reece Hewitt, Senior Flood Risk Consultant, MSc BSc (Hons) MCIWEM