Flood Gates

Q: Where can flood gates be installed?

Flood gates can be used across driveways, pedestrian entrances, vehicle access points and wider commercial or infrastructure openings. Larger engineered systems can also be used in coastal, estuarine and riverside environments. The appropriate gate will depend on factors such as the opening size, expected flood conditions and how the area needs to be accessed.

Q: What is the difference between a flood gate and a flood barrier?

Both are designed to help reduce floodwater passing through a vulnerable opening, but they operate differently. A flood gate is permanently hinged in place and opens and closes like a normal gate. Many flood barriers are removable and need to be fitted across an opening when flooding is expected, although automatic and permanently attached barrier systems are also available.

Q: Which type of flood gate do I need?

The right flood gate depends on the property, opening size, expected flood depth and everyday access requirements. Timber Flood Gates are suited to many driveways and property entrances, while One Man Operational Flood & Storm Tide Gates can protect much larger openings and are designed for demanding commercial, infrastructure, riverside and coastal environments.

M3 Floodtec supplies and installs flood gates designed to help protect driveways, entrances and access routes from rising floodwater. Our range includes Timber Flood Gates for residential and commercial properties and engineered Flood & Storm Tide Gates for larger, coastal and infrastructure applications, with solutions selected around the site and flood risk.

Everyday Access & Flood Resistance

Residential & Commercial Options

Solutions For Wider Openings

How Do Flood Gates Work?

Flood gates are permanently installed at entrances, driveways and other access points that may be vulnerable to flooding. During normal conditions, they open and close like a standard gate, allowing the area to remain accessible.

When flooding is expected, the gate is closed and secured against its threshold. Specialist seals around the gate help reduce floodwater passing through the protected opening, providing built-in flood resistance without requiring a separate barrier to be installed.

Timber Flood Gates

Timber Flood Gates combine everyday access with built-in flood resistance, making them particularly suitable for driveways, property entrances, side access points and vehicle entrances. They operate like a conventional gate during normal conditions and can be closed and secured when flooding is expected.

Tested Flood Resistance

M3 Floodtec Timber Flood Gates have been independently tested and certified to PAS 1188-1:2014. EPDM rubber seals are built into the gate system to help create an effective flood seal when the gate is closed, while locking bolts secure the gate against the threshold.

Designed For Everyday Access

Timber Flood Gates are available as single or double gates and are designed to be opened and closed by one person. Cast-in and retrofit installation options are available, allowing the system to be considered for both new projects and existing properties. A choice of finishes can also help the gate complement its surroundings.

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Flood & Storm Tide Gates

Our One Man Operational (OMO) Flood & Storm Tide Gates are engineered for larger openings and more demanding environments. The horizontally opening steel gate can be operated manually, with hydraulic or powered control also available where required.

Designed For Larger Openings

Flood and storm tide gates can be installed in a variety of environments, including coastal areas, rivers and estuaries. This makes them a versatile flood protection solution for both residential and industrial settings where defence against floods and rising water is essential.

Ideal For Waterfront Protection

Flood & Storm Tide Gates are designed for flood protection in coastal, estuarine and riverine environments, including industrial applications. The steel structure is designed in accordance with EN 1993, with specialist EPDM seals, adjustable hinges and corrosion-resistant finishes to support reliable long-term performance. The current product specification gives a design life in excess of 25 years.

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Flood Defender Swing Barrier

The Flood Defender Swing Barrier is a permanently attached, hinged flood barrier designed for openings where rapid deployment is important. When not required, the barrier rests away from the opening. When flooding is expected, it can be swung into position and secured in place, providing a practical alternative to a removable flood barrier.

Deploys In Seconds

The hinged design allows the barrier to be deployed in less than 10 seconds, without having to retrieve and position a separate removable barrier. It can be used across single and double doors, garage doors, shop access points and suitable fire escape openings.

Engineered Sealing System

The barrier combines a lightweight engineered barrier panel with a sealed aluminium frame and closed-cell EPDM rubber seals. Bespoke sizes are available up to 2500mm wide and 1200mm high, allowing the system to be manufactured for a range of larger openings.

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Choosing The Right Flood Gate

The most suitable flood gate depends on the size of the opening, expected flood depth, location and how the access point is used every day.

A Timber Flood Gate may be suitable for a driveway, pedestrian entrance or other property access point where the gate also needs to complement its surroundings. Larger commercial, infrastructure, riverside or coastal openings may require an engineered Flood & Storm Tide Gate with greater dimensions and additional operating options.

M3 Floodtec can help identify a suitable system based on the flood risk, access requirements and individual site.

Case Studies

Fairford, UPVC Doors

The homeowners chose three BSI Kitemark™ Certified UPVC flood doors, providing passive protection without the need to manually deploy barriers.

The Hurt Arms, Ambergate

During flood events, the entire building can be surrounded with flood waters and therefore all aspects of the site had to be assessed for flood resilience.

Low Threshold Doors, Nottinghamshire

Having spent two years in R&D, we launched the BSI Kitemark Certified, flood tested, low-threshold door into the commercial market.

JM Construction, Riverside, Leeds

In keeping with the Leeds Flood Alleviation program, flood protection was a pre requisite for the developers, JM Construction.

Bayer Environmental Science

Bayer called on M3 Floodtec for design and installation of a bespoke flood containment system for 3 train carriages.

Heritage Timber Doors, Dorking

Located in Dorking, this Grade II listed building required Timber Doors to preserve the building’s heritage.

Ashbys of Kingsbridge

Ashby’s site, located on the Dartmouth coastal road, had suffered frequent flood events from excessive highway surcharge and having to rely on the deployment of sandbags was neither practical or reliable to prevent water ingress into the property.

Morpeth Mansion, Westminster

Have a look at how we overcame varied types of thresholds at communal door entry points and access issues on a busy London Street.

Double Timber Doors

View our recent installations of timber double doors on both commercial and residential properties.

Greet Primary School, Birmingham

At M3 Flooodtec we have developed a Swing Hinge Defender Barrier System that can be used in conjunction with Emergency Escape routes.

Bespoke uPVC Door, London

A permanent passive Kitemark Certified Flood Defender uPVC flood door and side screen was proposed and selected to prevent water ingress into the property.

Timber Door, Bewdley

At M3 Floodtec we have designed and engineered a full range of durable Timber Flood Doors, Kitemark Certified to BS 851188.

Merrythought Village, Ironbridge

Prone to flooding from the River Severn, Merrythought Village chose us to provide flood protection products.

Corinthia Hotel, London

M3 floodtec designed and installed a flood protection portfolio to maintain the Corinthia Hotel building against flash flooding.

Longden Coleman, Shrewsbury

Following the flood events of 2020 several properties in Shrewsbury opted to invest in flood defence.

Tadcaster Medical Centre

After the flood event in February 2022 the decision was made to implement Property Flood Resilience.

Legal & General, Modular Homes

The incorporation of Anti-flood Airbricks to factory build modules followed by Defender flood barriers enabled developer L&G Modular to fulfil planning requirements.

Barnes Cafe, Sunderland

A former Coach House in Barnes Park invests in Steel Flood doors.

Chestnut Homes Ltd, Boston

As part of a large development, Chestnut Homes Ltd chose us to provide and install Flood Protection.

Elland Wharf, Yorkshire

View our installation of Sustainable Accoya Timber Doors and Windows in Yorkshire.

Grace College, Gateshead

Click here for an installation example of our Sustainable Accoya Timber Gates in Gateshead.

The Boat House, Eaton Hall, Ironbridge

See how the Flood Defender Barrier System worked for The Boat House, Eaton Hall.

Worcester, West Midlands

View the various M3 flood protection products available for homeowners.

York Guildhall

As part of a £16.5 million refurbishment, M3 Floodtec supplied Flood Protection Solutions at York Guildhall.

Ross On Wye Sports Centre

View our recent installation of Steel, Flood & Fire Doors at Ross Sports Centre.

Lidl, Oban, Scotland

See how the M3 Floodtec Flood Defender Barrier provided the ideal protection for the store.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent

See how we helped protected 26 properties as part of a Defra funded Property Level Flood Protection Scheme.

Two Castles Housing, Carlisle

A key pre-requisite of this project was that the properties were protected with no visual impact.

Halesowen, West Midlands

See how you can protect your home with M3 Floodtec’s range of flood protection products.

London Imperial College

M3 Foodtec where tasked with supplying Defender barriers and Defender Steel Flood and Fire doors.

Mr Bailey, East Riding

View our solution to bespoke Airbrick protection.

Aberdeen City Council

View our One Man Operational Flood Gate installed adjacent to the River Dee in Aberdeen.

French Door, Devon

View our recent installation of uPVC French Doors during a flood event.

Great Wyrley, Staffordshire

See how you can protect your business with our range of Flood Defender uPVC Doors and Windows.

St Ledger Homes, Doncaster

Large flood resilience grant funded project in Doncaster, manufactured and installed by M3 Floodtec.

Flood Retaining Walls

Installation of reinforced concrete, block or brick walls can act as a retaining wall against floodwaters.

NRV Installation

Backflow into pipes and culverts can be prevented by installing non return valves or flap valves into drainage systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does a flood gate protect against flooding?

A flood gate forms a physical barrier across an entrance or access point where floodwater could enter. When flooding is expected, the gate is closed and secured against its threshold. Specialist seals around the gate help reduce water passing through the opening while the gate continues to provide normal access during everyday conditions.