Latest PS Flood Barriers™ News

The MLK Community Center is located in Long Beach, New York, offering a range of child care services, human / social services and career development support. It sustained significant damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, requiring the facility to be repaired and rebuilt. The project wrapped up in 2024, and included BK7 Flood Prevention, which was responsible for solving one of the project’s most important challenges: flood proofing the facility’s front door and surrounding windows.

Until Hurricane Sandy, decision makers in the city of New York had differing opinions on the importance of flood protection. The devastating flooding that resulted from the tropical cyclone in 2012 left no unbelievers, however. The only question on everyone’s mind was “How can we prevent this from happening again?” For the leadership at Glen Cove High School on Long Island – a facility housing grades 9–12 set on 50 acres of land – long-term plans started to include serious flood protection.

PS Industries, a leading provider of products that protect people and property, including flood protection solutions since 1974, is excited to announce the acquisition of Flood Barrier, a well-established leader in flood protection based in Florida. This strategic acquisition will further strengthen PS Industries’ highly regarded PS Flood Barriers™ division, bringing together two companies with decades of expertise that share a proven commitment to safeguarding people and property from the devastating effects of flooding.

Not all floods are created equal. Every flood features water, of course, but where that water comes from can be very different for each situation. In addition, the accumulation of floodwater can happen at different rates and can be accompanied by strong winds, powerful currents, troublesome debris and a host of other factors. It stands to reason, then, that each combination of characteristics that make a flood unique also requires flooding solutions that are distinctly developed to address them. Treating all floods the same can lead to breakdowns in flood protection, but fortunately, proper planning can secure virtually any business or building against the destructive power of floodwaters.

Flooding can impact any facility in any industry, but healthcare can be especially problematic. Not only are hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other structures part of critical infrastructure – caring for and sometimes housing the most vulnerable members of our communities – they present special challenges due to their features and architecture.

There is a lot to consider when you’re planning flood protection for your building / facility. When choosing the best flow barrier, for example, one must consider more than just the size and structure of the opening, the means of deployment (active vs passive) and the water pressure. It’s also critical not to forget that the current within floodwaters often carries debris with it.

There are a lot of certifications out there, and depending on the industry you work in, some of them can be more meaningful than others. FM Approvals, on the other hand, is a name that demands respect no matter where you see it.

Some floods come with advance warning, whether it comes in the form of weather alerts, seasonal data or river level reports. Other floods come quickly as infrastructure fails or conditions exceed expectations. In both scenarios, having flood protection already in place or stored nearby can give you the edge you need to stop water from inundating your property.

The primary assets included in this acquisition will be Flex-Cover®, Flex-Gate® and Flex-Wall®, which together make up an innovative lineup of flood barrier products constructed using a revolutionary combination of high-strength textiles and corrosion resistant hardware. Many of these products are stored at the point-of-use and are unique in the marketplace. As of January 17, 2023, these products will be manufactured by PS Industries and sold under the PS Flood Barriers brand.

The idea of American governing bodies requiring that materials used in publicly funded projects originate in the United States is not a new one. In fact, the original Buy American Act originated in 1933, requiring federal agencies to purchase “domestic end products” and use “domestic construction materials.” This act has been amended multiple times over the past 90 years or so, including revisions in the late 1970s and the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act introduced in 2021 (and taking effect in 2022). How do these regulations govern the inclusion of doors in a project? Read on for more information.