Operational Flood Protection

Hazard picture

Facilities are exposed both to riverine flooding and to localised heavy-rainfall events with sewer backwater, the latter frequently occurring outside recognised hazard zones. Loss potential is driven chiefly by the elevation of critical plant (electrical distribution, server rooms, storage areas), groundwater interaction with the building’s foundations and the lead time available before the event.

Protection measures

Structural measures include raised door thresholds, pressure-resistant basement seals and relocating critical equipment to upper floors. Mobile flood defence systems (barrier beams, water-filled tubes) and automatic backwater valves provide additional technical protection. Organisationally, an alert and response plan tied to the national natural hazards bulletin ensures timely activation of protective measures.

Insurance relevance

Property insurers assess a location’s flood exposure against hazard maps and, where exposure is elevated, require evidence of a documented protection concept as a condition for cover scope and capacity. In cantons with a building insurance monopoly, the cantonal building insurer supplements the base cover against natural perils.