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(Patent) The world’s only folding flood barrier with two lateral stop flaps that rest against the outer corners of the opening, where the side reveals are usually finished most accurately. It can be extended and its gaskets compressed with just ONE finger. Once removed, it leaves no trace, frame or fixing hole, preserving the appearance and original width of the opening.
L - Custom width.
H - Available fixed heights: 32/42/52/62/72/82/92
NOTE: To achieve greater widths or to use lighter flood protection devices, purchase the removable Union Post, which can be positioned as needed, allowing you to connect an unlimited number of devices—even different models—to form linear barriers: straight, angular, or perimeter barriers.
IMPORTANT: Check the horizontal seal at the corners, and if it does not fit flush against the surfaces, reposition it by gently pressing it into place with your finger.
For corner support, lightweight locking, easy locking, secure locking, safety locking, internal and external locking, locking above the flood level, and scratch resistance.
A rust-free lightweight alloy with excellent resistance to galvanic corrosion when in contact with water, but only during periods of emergency (approximately 10 days a year in Venice).
Our patented system applies sealing pressure by compressing the gaskets against the side reveals in a smooth movement, potentially using just ONE finger, without unnecessary effort. The barrier widens gradually to the correct extended width without contracting again.
Because there are no protrusions on the side of the room to be protected, the flood barrier can be mounted on any external frame of the existing window or door, even if the frame is flush with the sash or threshold profile
The operating lever handle has an ergonomic grip for improved hold and better force distribution. It can also be extended to help people with less strength, or where the vertical gasket is thicker within manufacturing tolerances, or the side reveals are irregular. It is intended for opening and closing from the outside; skilled users can also use it from the inside.
The patented OPTIONAL Top Handle makes it easier to open the barrier from inside and outside. It also prevents the security-head screw of the padlock kit from being unscrewed, increasing security.
Its four special, patented sliders, located at the four corners of the flood barrier, rest against the frame of the existing window or door without irreparably scratching its finish—whether paint or otherwise—while also protecting the skin from scratches and cuts caused by the sharp edges of the profiles.
We designed the flood protection device with numerous anti-crushing features in its mechanisms and various kinematic components.
It is also designed to prevent fingers from getting crushed during the closing process and to prevent the flood barrier from bending outward in the event of strong winds or improper positioning.
Full contact against the side reveals and straight cuts to the bottom gasket improve watertightness. Replacement gaskets are always available.
Thanks to our patent, we have managed to ensure that the gasket stretches by less than 60% only on the outer edge, ensuring long-lasting durability without premature cracking.
A padlock beneath the removable handle could have its keyhole blocked after flooding with muddy or salt water. The use of jaws or other components to insert the padlock posed a serious risk of crushing or cutting fingers, even severing them. A rivet fixing did not prevent the component being drilled out and removed, allowing the system to open while the padlock remained locked.
Our QR code, engraved directly on the flood barrier, links you to our website www.rapid.sm, where you can download the user and maintenance manual—available in 5 languages—before each use. The QR code also provides direct contact with the supplier in case the Partner is unavailable.
This identification number, which only RAPID has been issuing since 2017, contains the entire history of your flood protection device, ensuring seamless after-sales support—from locating replacement parts to handling any recalls.
Testing of these frameless, foldable flood barriers—which press the side gaskets against the side reveals—is conducted using side profiles that not everyone likes or that are present in the side reveals of the access point, such as the frame of an entrance door. Many customers end up not resting them against these profiles—either out of carelessness or to avoid scratching them—relying solely on the friction of the vertical side seals pressed against the abutment. If that were sufficient, all folding flood barriers in Europe would not undergo testing with metal side profiles to hold them in place and counteract water pressure, thereby risking flooding.
This resistance makes it difficult to close the flood protection barrier, causing the user to jerk and accelerate their movement. This occurs about halfway through the extension, when—after inserting the folded flood barrier into the opening—the user begins to press it to remove the fold and straighten it, compressing the side gaskets; At that point, due to the eccentricity of the hinge, the flood barrier expands beyond the width necessary for watertight integrity, only to contract back to the correct width as it straightens out and the fold is eliminated—providing no benefit to watertight integrity but only creating resistance to the user’s thrust.
Especially by those who are weaker or less physically capable, which can result in the device not being positioned properly and, consequently, possible flooding.
It also increases with the height of the flood barrier, irregular side reveals and/or an opening that is not at right angles, conditions that can occur in building openings.
Over an unquantifiable period of time, but at the point where the flood protection device bends and on the outer side, a crack would form in the seal lip, since theoretically it should stretch up to 800%, but with an eccentric hinge, it must stretch as much as 6,500% (from 1 mm to 65 mm), resulting in a crack in the seal lip.
We carried out a crushing test with a medium-density carrot between the fixed-width barrier half, where the operating lever handle is inserted, and the variable-width half. The result was a kind of carrot purée.
A padlock beneath the removable handle could have its keyhole blocked after flooding with muddy or salt water. The use of jaws or other components to insert the padlock posed a serious risk of crushing or cutting fingers, even severing them. A rivet fixing did not prevent the component being drilled out and removed, allowing the system to open while the padlock remained locked.
Since they do not conform to the shape of the hands, they do not offer the benefits of an ergonomic design.
The standard handle may be insufficient, particularly for users with less strength. Without the optional extension, the user cannot benefit from the additional leverage needed when an irregular opening prevents smooth extension, causing resistance followed by a hard, abrupt snap.
Non-rectangular gaskets have less contact with the side-reveal surfaces or cannot be properly compressed as the device is extended and unfolded. They also do not guide the scissors for a straight, flush cut of the bottom horizontal gasket.
The sharp edges and rough edges of aluminium profiles can scratch the mounting frames and may also accidentally injure your hands.
DISCLAIMER: WARNING! If the opening is a designated safety exit, a safety plan must approve the use of another suitable exit before the flood barrier is fitted. Otherwise, the space to be protected must contain no people or anything else that could be put at risk. Dripping is within the permitted sealing tolerance, although it does not necessarily occur. Additional protective measures are recommended when the device protects hazardous areas.
