| Ground Surface Contact (inches) | Volume (cubic inches) | Weight of Water (pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 inch high cylindrical barrier @ 12.5 ft. length | 4 - 5 | 16,971 | 613 |
| 12 inch high Rapid Barrier @ 12.5 ft. length | 18 | 32,400 | 1,420 |
| 20 inch high cylindrical barrier @ 25 ft. length | 6 - 7 | 94,248 | 3,406 |
| 20 inch high Rapid Barrier @ 25 ft. length | 28 | 180,000 | 6,502 |
| 42 inch high cylindrical barrier @ 25 ft. length | 16 - 18 | 415,800 | 15,021 |
| 42 inch high Rapid Barrier @ 25 ft. length | 63 | 793,800 | 28,677 |
COMPARISONS
Ground Surface/Volume Comparisons Between Cylindrical Barriers and the Rapid Barrier System
The above figures are approximate! The figures are calculated based on non-flexible material such as steel. Because flexible barriers bow out they will contact more ground surface, accept more water and therefore will weigh more than the figures stated above.
While ground surface contact and volume/weight of water is much higher for rectangular barriers, it may not be necessary to completely fill the barriers with water. The decision to do so will depend upon the judgement of those setting up the barrier considering the anticipated height and velocity of the on-coming floodwaters; in many cases barriers can for example, be filled 2/3 their stated height or less with water, with the balance of the barrier filled with air.
Air filling can be accomplished from a variety of sources. Leaf blower, shop vac even a hair dryer (separate heat and fan switches with the heat shut off). The advantage of partial air filling is that the target barrier height can be achieved much more rapidly than by filling solely from a garden hose.
Do not exceed recommended height for the barriers regardless of whether filled by air or water!
Rapid Barriers vs. Sandbags
If you don’t use Rapid Barriers, just how many sandbags and pounds of sand will you need to construct your own barrier?
Check out our link to vCalc LLC and the article written by Dr.Kenneth Hellevang or use the table below.
| Type of Stacked Rapid Barriers | Maximum Formation Height | Corresponding Number of Sandbags | Weight of Sand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5 ft | 24" | 262 | 9,170 lbs. |
| 50 ft | 24" | 1,050 | 36,750 lbs. |
| 100 ft | 24" | 2,100 | 73,500 lbs. |
| 25 ft | 40" | 1,375 | 48,125 lbs. |
| 50ft | 40" | 2,750 | 96,250 lbs. |
L" shaped open water storage
| Barrier Height | 12" | 20" |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier Length | 12.5 ft | 25 ft |
| Configuration (Suggested) | 7.5 ft x 5 ft | 15 ft x 10 ft |
| Volume cu ft/US gal | 37.5 cu ft/1,061 litres | 250 cu ft/7,075 litres |
| Inside Each Barrier | 640 litres | 7,080 litres |
| Total Litres | 2,341 | 14,155 |
| Total US Gallons | 579 | 3,501 |
- 2 barriers laid side by side – ratio is 10/3. Comparable to a sandbag dike with a ratio of 3/1 or 9/3 width/height although in many circumstances a backup barrier is not needed.
- RBS barriers feature side straps which can be used to further secure the barriers.
- Estimated weight of a sandbag is 35 pounds.
Open Water Storage System
Open Water storage system is the most economical way to store water. Pictured: Two 25 ft x 20 in. barriers with one large tarp stores over 14,000 litres of water (combined with water inside the barriers).
Commercial Barrier Specifications
| 100 ft Commercial Barrier | 25 ft Commercial Barrier | 50 ft Commercial Barrier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. size | 12"H x 18" W | 20"H x 30"W | 20"H x 30"W |
| Volume (litres) | 5,120 | 3,540 | 5,900 |
| Estimated fill time (5/8" unrestricted garden hose, can accept larger fill pipes up to 2 in) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Estimated fill time (minutes - 2 inch hose from pump) | 8 | 4.5 | 9 |
| Empty weight (kg / lbs. - barrier only) | 66 / 146 | 27 / 60 | 55 / 121 |
| Filled weight (kg / lbs.) | 4,890 / 10,770 | 2,976 / 6,555 | 5,954 / 13,115 |
| Estimated set-up time (minutes - single barrier, before filling) | <8 | <6 | <10 |
| Suggested number of workers | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Stackable | yes | yes | yes |
| Can be extended to any length | yes | yes | yes |
| 2" drain ports included | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 2" fill ports included | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2" ball valves included | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2" port caps included | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Soft carry handles (number of pairs) included | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Reinforced corners included | yes | yes | yes |
| Threaded extension pipe included | yes | yes | yes |
| Quick patch tape included | yes | yes | yes |
| Permanent patch kit included | yes | yes | yes |
| Radio frequency welding at selected locations included | yes | yes | yes |
| 2 inch welds included | yes | yes | yes |
| Instructions included | yes | yes | yes |
| Optional skirt insert | 18 in W | 28 in W | 28 in W |
| Optional ground sheet - heavy weight - blue/white | 4.5 m x 3.5 m | 9.5 m x 7.5 m | 9.5 m x 7.5 m |
| Optional top sheet - medium weight -blue/silver | 4.5 m x 3.5 m | 9.5 m x 7.5 m | 9.5 m x 7.5 m |
Helpful Hints
- Barriers will perform better if there is more contact with the surface area; if water levels are expected to be below the maximum height of the barrier, fill the barrier to a reduced height: for example,
expected water height – 6 inches, fill the 12″ barrier to 8-10 inches. - In a hurry to set up barriers? You can use air from a leaf blower, shop vac, even a hair dryer (heat off) to quickly set up a barrier prior to filling with water; be sure to let the air out as the barrier rises from inflowing water.
- Opening the drain valves will quickly release most of the water, but to get the residual water out you can roll up the barrier, use a pump and even use a shop vac with the hose duck taped to a smaller diameter pipe inserted into the barrier.
- Store the barriers in a cool dry place; roll them up to avoid creases from folding and use the black plastic caps (standard equipment) to thread onto the ports to protect the port threads from damaging the rolled barriers.