The Waterwall® System is a rapid deployment anti-blast containment system utilising water to contain fragments.
Water, having a relatively high mass, has often been used to mitigate the effects of explosions either deliberate or accidental.
In sufficient quantity, it can dramatically reduce the damage caused by primary and secondary projectiles and interact with the chemistry of the explosion, reducing heat and the overall effectiveness of the primary explosive material.
Depending on the thickness of the water and the size of the explosive, blast overpressures can be significantly reduced and a high percentage, if not all, of the fragmentation captured.
Why Use Water?
The velocity of fragments produced by an explosion and passing through a layer of water is significantly reduced. If the water layer is thick enough it will stop all fragments completely.
Tests have also demonstrated that if placed correctly, water will also reduce the blast pressures associated with an explosive event by as much as 95%. Coupled with the fragment retaining properties it is easy to see why the use of water is so desirable in mitigating explosive events.
Furthermore, relatively thin layers of water can prevent the 'sympathetic' detonation of neighbouring ammunition stacks should an explosion occur in a magazine. Unlike other materials, water offers a low 'down-range' hazard and is readily available in urban areas where the threats of terrorist attacks are highest. Moreover water is cheap. Its use in explosive ordnance disposal systems facilitates the capture of forensic evidence, inhibits the formation of toxic gas clouds and can be pre-mixed with decontaminants to facilitate clean up following a 'dirty bomb' attack.
Benefits
- Significantly reduces the velocity of fragments produced by an explosion;
- If the water layer is thick enough it will stop all fragments completely;
- Reduces blast pressures by as much as 95%;
- Combination of fragment containment and blast suppression creates an 'ideal' mitigation system;
- Thin layers of water can prevent the 'sympathetic' detonation of neighbouring ammunition stacks;
- Low 'down-range' hazard;
- Readily available in urban areas where the threats of terrorist attacks are highest;
- Inexpensive;
- Captures of forensic evidence when used in against improvised explosive devices;
- Inhibits the formation of toxic gas cloud;
- Can be pre-mixed with decontaminants to facilitate clean up following a 'dirty bomb' attack.
Design
The Waterwall® System is based around the requirement that each component in the system must be capable of rapid deployment, use simple, inexpensive materials and can accept any type of water. Furthermore, each component must be capable of dramatically reducing blast effects; it can also be easily stored and transported without the need of mechanical equipment if necessary.
All Waterwall® System components made from PVC coated double wall fabric and are partially inflated with air first to facilitate handling and positioning before the water is introduced into the system. The flow of water into the component purges the air out through a relief valve. The time needed to fill each component will vary depending of the pressure of the water supply but is typically 10 minutes or less. Following use, if the unit is undamaged, the water can be emptied out and the unit stored for reuse. Shelf life of an unused product is indefinite and for a used component in excess of three years.
All products are designed for temporary use although the period of service can be extended to several months should the need arise. In such cases it may be necessary to make minor modifications to the original. Further more, all products shown are generic and sizes, shapes and performance can be adjusted to suit customer requirements. Please contact us for further information.
EOD Blast Bin
Designed specifically to the requirements of the British Army Bomb Squads, the EOD Blast Bin is designed to mitigate the possible dangers faced by bomb disposal teams when dealing with suspicious objects or unexploded ordnance up to 10kgs NEQ1 or more.
The design provides blast mitigation on four sides and from above, whilst the removable front panel allows repeated access to the device.
The front panel could also be used as a separate stand-alone blast barrier or as part of a more complex modular arrangement.
Hex Bin Isolator
The Hex Bin Isolator is designed to isolate the possible danger to both people and property following the discovery of a suspicious object containing potentially up to 20kgs NEQ .
It is ideally suited for use in locations where such objects might most often be found; postal sorting offices, transportation centres and shopping malls, as well as commercial premises and medical facilities. Hex Bin Isolators can be made in a variety of sizes and wall thickness to suit customer requirements.
The Hex Bin Isolator can de deployed in a variety of ways. In mail rooms and baggage screening facilities they could be pre-filled and placed nearby. When there is a risk of explosive devices detonating prematurely, they could be deployed robotically.
Split Hex Bin Isolator
The Split Hex Bin Isolator facilitates placement of the isolation system in areas where access to the device is difficult or restricted for example under a table or adjacent to a wall. The size and thickness and performance are the same as for the standard version above.
Ram Bag
The Ram Bag is and is designed to be filled with water to create a linear obstacle to assist in the mitigation of the blast wave and fragmentation arising from an explosive device. It will also provide protection from moving vehicles.
Ram Bag typical dimensions: 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.4m (approx. 2400 litres in volume).
Sizes are approximate and can be changed to suit customer requirements.