Flood Protection for the Hospitality Industry

Flood Protection for the Hospitality Industry

Floods are one of the most frequent and damaging natural disasters in America. Gushing water can severely harm infrastructures, leaving many properties unable to recover financially. Commercial properties should develop prevention plans to protect themselves as flooding events become more intense.

Floods can be particularly devastating to the hospitality industry. These locations provide lodging and other accommodations for visitors, and infrastructure damage can reduce revenue and profits. Hotels and other hospitality properties are responsible for guests’ safety and enjoyment, and floods can negatively impact these efforts. Preventive measures can lower your hotel’s risk for flood damage.

The Importance of Flood Protection for the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry’s major goal is to provide guests with an enjoyable experience. From creating comfortable lodging to planning fun events, hospitality professionals work hard to take care of all visitors.

Floods and other natural disasters can make achieving this objective difficult or impossible. Depending on their severity, floods can disrupt guests’ experiences and even create hazardous circumstances. The best way to reduce these effects is by developing a strong flood protection plan. These measures are important for many reasons, including:

• Protecting your property: By taking preventive measures, you can reduce flood-related damages and risks. Hotels rely on high-quality rooms and accommodations to serve visitors. However, water can flood rooms and ruin furniture, accessories and other assets. In some cases, water damage may be so severe that a hotel cannot recover lost assets. Proactive measures can help to mitigate some of these risks.
• Helping guests: A thorough flood protection plan can also help protect guests during natural disasters. You can provide clear instructions on the next steps and give recommendations on how to navigate the situation. A clear plan helps employees remain calm during intense situations.
• Reducing lost costs: Floods can cause harsh financial repercussions for hotels and other hospitality properties. If rooms become inhabitable, you could lose significant revenue from customers. In addition, you might have to pay extensive repair and maintenance costs. Protective measures can lower the risks of physical flood damage and lost income.

Steps You Can Take for Hotel Flood Prevention

Preventive actions and a thorough flood protection plan are essential for the hospitality industry. Here are some steps you can take to protect your property from flood damage:

1. Research Your Flood Zone and Elevation

The first step in hotel flood protection is to determine your flood zone, elevation and overall risk. By calculating these, you can create a protection plan that meets your specific environmental and climate needs.

First, try to determine your flood zone and elevation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses base flood elevation (BFE) as a critical factor for flood prevention. BFE is the level where your infrastructure has a 1% chance of flooding each year. Your hotel should be several feet above your area’s BFE to add more protection against rising floodwaters. To calculate your area’s BFE, you can consult FEMA guidelines or contact your local municipality.

You’ll also want to research the average flood risks in your area. Consider questions like:

• How often do floods occur?
• When was the last flood?
• How severe are the typical damages?
• Have the floods increased in severity over time?

Answering these questions can give you a rough idea of flood activity in your area. You can create effective protective measures and action plans based on your research.

2. Implement Floodproofing Techniques

Floodproofing techniques can keep your infrastructure more secure against oncoming floodwaters. You can implement many different floodproofing methods. Here are some of the best ways to prepare your hotel:

• Sealing cracks and gaps: Rising floodwaters can enter your hotel from many angles and access points. To protect your building, use caulk or other suitable material to seal cracks around your windows, doors, pipes and other exposed areas. Closing these gaps can also assist with insulation and temperature control, making it a beneficial practice on multiple fronts.
• Protecting electrical components: Electrical systems can quickly become hazardous in the presence of water. Anything from air conditioning units to circuit breakers could get damaged during floods. You can take preventive measures to keep the systems and guests safe. For instance, you could move essential electrical components to higher floors to limit their exposure to rising water. It’s often best to consult with an electrician to discuss the safest approach to moving electrical equipment.
• Installing shield doors: Some hotels install shield doors, submarine doors or flood gates to provide maximum protection from rising water.
• Applying a waterproof coating: You could also add a waterproof coating to your hotel’s exterior. These layers can help keep water from getting into the building and prevent mold or mildew from developing after a flood recedes.

3. Implement Flood Protection Systems

Lastly, your hotel could install a flood protection system. These systems generally consist of flood barriers and other durable materials that lower the risk of flood damage. You can find customized options to meet your location’s specific environmental needs.

Portadam is a leading provider of flood protection systems and solutions. We have provided high-quality and comprehensive flood protection services for commercial and industrial locations since 1974, and we strive to find clients the flood solution best suited to their property.

Our deployable flood protection systems can help mitigate flood risks for your property. We work closely with you to design a system that accommodates any obstructions or elevation differences. Portadam offers a thorough step-by-step process:

1. Flood consultation: First, we meet with you and offer expert flood guidance. We can help you obtain a flood risk analysis report, which is based on your local risk and other environmental factors.
2. Flood plan creation: Next, our team can develop a preventive flood plan based on your analysis report and your preferences.
3. Flood system design: We then design and engineer a flood system that matches your risk levels, environmental circumstances and other criteria.
4. System training: Lastly, Portadam offers regular training on properly deploying the flood system. Our experts can also answer questions as they arise during use.

Your hotel can select any or all of our services as you work towards the best flood prevention plan. We can work together to mitigate flood risks for your property.

Contact Portadam Today

Flood protection is essential for hotels and other hospitality infrastructure. Preventive measures and protective systems can lower your risk of damage.

Choose Portadam today for comprehensive and high-quality flood solutions. We offer services across the country and can help you craft the best protection plan. Our deployable flood systems provide thorough and durable protection from flooding elements.

To get started with Portadam, contact us today.