Situated in a flood-prone zone, Tampa General Hospital faces increased threats from hurricanes and powerful storms. To tackle this challenge, Tampa General Hospital partnered with Flood Risk America to install a customized flood protection system featuring the FRA flood panel along with their flood barrier Aqua Fence technology.
Flooding poses a serious threat to critical institutions like hospitals, where uninterrupted operations can mean the difference between life and death. Here’s how Flood Risk America helped safeguard Tampa General Hospital.
The Challenge: Defending Critical Infrastructure From Floodwater Intrusion
Damage from floodwaters can be significant for hospitals. For Tampa General Hospital, we observed flood risks to:
- Elevators, which are vital for hospitals to transport patients, staff, and equipment between floors. Floodwater can render elevators inoperable or unsafe.
- Medical equipment, especially sensitive and high-value systems like MRI machines, which can be permanently damaged by even minor water exposure.
- Floor drains, which can cause dangerous water backup and internal flooding if not properly protected.
Any solution had to comply with FEMA and NFIP requirements for safety and flood resilience. The system also needed to be easily deployed when a flood threat loomed and just as quickly removed once the flood threat had passed, to get back to normal operations quickly.
The Solution: Custom FRA Flood Panel and Flood Barrier Aqua Technology
While Tampa General Hospital already have the flood barrier Aqua Fence in place around the perimeter of the building, additional custom flood solutions were needed as an extra line of defense should floodwaters enter.
Flood Risk America stepped in to design a fully customized flood protection plan using our advanced FRA flood panel technology. Each system was engineered to fit the unique dimensions and pressure requirements of the hospital’s infrastructure.
- Custom Flood Panels for Elevators - FRA developed precision-fit flood panels to seal off elevator shafts, preventing water intrusion and ensuring safe use before and after flood events.
- MRI Room Protection - Lightweight, watertight flood barriers were installed to close off where MRI equipment is housed to defend against rising waters without affecting day-to-day hospital operations.
- Drain Backflow Solutions - Custom barriers were created to cap floor drains and prevent sewer and stormwater backup, a common cause of interior flooding during storms.
Built from marine-grade materials, the FRA flood panel is designed for quick deployment and removal. This ensures that hospital staff can react swiftly when a storm is approaching, without sacrificing access or safety.
The Results: No Water Intrusion & a Safe Building
During recent hurricanes, Tampa General Hospital’s critical systems remained dry and operational. While the flood barrier Aqua Fence successfully prevented water intrusion from the perimeter, FRA flood panels provided an added layer of protection for the safety of patients, staff, and guests.
Now, Tampa General is better prepared for future storms, protected by a robust FRA flood panel system that combines reliability, rapid response, and regulatory compliance.
Secure Your Facility with FRA Flood Panels
Protecting a critical building like a hospital requires precision and care with a customized approach. Whether you're safeguarding elevators, MRI rooms, or vulnerable drain systems, Flood Risk America delivers reliable flood solutions built for resilience.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you prepare for the next storm.