Labcorp is a global life sciences company that provides diagnostic testing and drug development services to healthcare providers and patients around the world. The company processes millions of patient samples each week and plays a key role in modern healthcare systems.
When it comes to protecting laboratory and diagnostic facilities, even minor disruptions caused by flooding can halt testing operations, damage sensitive equipment, and delay important medical results. Custom flood protection solutions play a key role in maintaining operational continuity and protecting valuable assets during severe weather events.
Flood Risk America completed a specialized installation at one of Labcorp’s locations in Tampa, Florida. Here’s why our patented FRA Flood Panel system makes sense for this critical facility.
The Flood Risk America Approach
Every flood mitigation project begins with a comprehensive site assessment. Flood Risk America evaluates several factors to determine the most effective protection strategy:
- Building entry points and doorways
- Loading docks and service entrances
- Utility penetrations and ventilation openings
- Site drainage patterns and elevation
For the Labcorp Tampa facility, our team identified key access points where floodwater could potentially enter the building during heavy storms. Based on this assessment, we implemented targeted flood protection solutions designed to block water intrusion while allowing the facility to maintain normal daily operations.
Flood Protection Solutions Customized for the Building
One unique aspect of the Labcorp building is its architectural design. The facility features a large amount of glass and window frontage, which created a challenge for traditional flood barrier installation. In many flood mitigation projects, barriers are permanently mounted by drilling anchors into concrete or structural framing. However, with extensive glazing and glass panels throughout the building, drilling into the structure was not a suitable option, as it could compromise the building envelope and surrounding materials.
Flood Risk America designed a custom flood protection solution using compression-mounted barriers. Instead of relying on drilled anchors, these systems use engineered compression to create a secure and watertight seal within the opening.
This customized approach provided several key benefits for the facility:
- No drilling required – Compression-mounted systems eliminate the need to drill into the building’s glass framing or surrounding structure.
- Protects the building envelope – The design preserves the integrity of the glass-heavy façade while still delivering strong flood protection.
- Secure watertight seal – Engineered pressure between structural surfaces creates a tight barrier to help prevent water intrusion.
- Quick deployment – Facility staff can install the barriers efficiently when severe weather is forecast.
- Custom fit for complex openings – Compression systems allow protection even in areas where traditional barriers are not feasible.
Key Features of the FRA Flood Panel
Protecting the facility required a solution that balanced strong flood protection with practicality and cost efficiency. The patented FRA Flood Panel is a significant step beyond generic flood panels, offering a more engineered and reliable approach to building-level protection. At the same time, it provides a far more economical and manageable alternative to large-scale mitigation strategies such as elevating the building or installing full perimeter flood protection systems - solutions that often involve major construction and require large teams to deploy.
The FRA Flood Panel delivers targeted protection at critical openings, allowing facilities to achieve dependable flood resilience without the complexity or cost of large infrastructure projects.
Key features include:
- Custom Flood Barrier Protection - FRA Flood Panels were installed at vulnerable entry points to help prevent floodwater from entering the building during heavy rain events or storm surge. Each panel is custom-fit to the opening to create a secure seal and reliable protection.
- Rapid Deployment Design - The panels are engineered for quick installation, allowing facility staff to prepare the building efficiently when severe weather is approaching. One standard 4x4 flood panel takes only a few minutes for one person to deploy.
- Durable, Industrial-Grade Materials - Constructed with strong, high-quality materials, FRA Flood Panels are designed to withstand repeated use and the demanding weather conditions common in coastal regions like Florida.
- Minimal Operational Disruption - The system integrates seamlessly with the building’s design, allowing the facility to operate normally when flood protection is not required. Panels are stored until needed and installed only during storm preparation.
For critical facilities such as healthcare laboratories, reliable flood protection solutions are non-negotiable. Systems like the FRA Flood Panel help reduce the risk of water intrusion, protect valuable equipment, and support operational continuity when severe weather strikes.
Why Flood Protection Solutions Are Critical in Tampa
Flooding continues to be a significant challenge for Tampa homeowners, business owners, and the city as a whole. Situated by the water, Tampa is a hot spot for:
- Tropical storms and hurricanes
- Heavy rainfall events
- Storm surge
- Rising groundwater levels
According to flood risk assessments, buildings in many parts of Florida must plan for both coastal flooding and inland stormwater flooding, making proactive protection measures increasingly important.
For organizations like Labcorp, installing flood protection solutions helps ensure that diagnostic testing, medical research, and laboratory operations can continue even during severe weather conditions.
Supporting Business Continuity With Reliable Flood Protection Solutions
This installation at the Labcorp facility in Tampa demonstrates how customized flood mitigation systems can protect important buildings and infrastructure. Flood Risk America works with organizations across industries, including healthcare, government, education, and commercial facilities, to design and implement effective flood protection strategies.
Our solutions help buildings:
- Prevent water intrusion
- Protect critical equipment and assets
- Maintain operational continuity
- Reduce long-term flood risk
If your facility is located in a flood-prone region, proactive mitigation strategies can help reduce risk and protect your investment. To learn more about flood protection solutions and how Flood Risk America helps organizations prepare for severe weather, contact us to speak to a flood expert.
You can also review the flood preparedness guidance from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to better understand how organizations can reduce flood risk and strengthen resilience.