Installation Instructions
HOW TO MEASURE FOR YOUR MAKO™ FLOOD BARRIER
MAKO™ Pressure-Fit Inflatable Flood Barriers are designed to seal against the walls and floor of an opening. This could be a garage opening, a doorway, a window sill, a hallway or passageway, or anywhere you have a flat opening into which a flood barrier can be fit.
These versatile barriers can be used on wood, stone, brick, metal, concrete or other solid surfaces.
Note: DO NOT install MAKO™ flood panels between sheetrock wall surfaces as the pressurization of the panel within the opening could damage your walls.
MEASURING STEP 1
Measure Your Opening, Threshold to Threshold:
Remember, the MAKO flood barrier will fit between the threshold of your opening, so the relevant measurement is the threshold width, not the actual width of your opening.
If a door is 36" wide, but the frame around the door, into which the MAKO will fit is 40", then you would order a 40" MAKO flood barrier.
Try to get within 1/2" of the opening size, erring on the side of being slightly larger in situations when your wall is not exactly plum or straight.
MEASURING STEP 2
Measure the Depth of Your Opening or Threshold:
The MAKO flood barrier uses friction and pressure to lock into your opening. As such, it requires sufficient depth to ensure a good seal and grip.
Depending on the size and height of your opening, the depth of the MAKO varies. A typical opening that is less than 36" wide is 4" thick, meaning you need around 2.75 inches of depth to properly seal your flood panel.
For openings wider than 36", we typically recommend 6" thick flood panels and these require about 4" of threshold depth to get a good water seal
As we get to very large openings, such as double wide garages, the panels come in 8" thick flood barrier sections, providing additional stability, holding power, and rigidity. This requires about 6" of side wall/frame surface area to be installed properly.
MEASURING STEP 3
Confirm Your Flood or Doorway Sill Surface
For the best flood protection, a level and smooth ground surface is important, enabling the bottom seal to get good engagement and seal against leakage.
Check for bowing, major cracks or gaps in your floor. Should major imperfections exist, you will want to repair those and make sure that the surface is level, before installing MAKO floor panels. We don't recommend sealing against pavers, gravel, or other porous surfaces, as water will migrate through and under pavers and gravel.
Depending on the surface, you can either pour a small concrete footer, or utilize our AlumiSeal™ sill plate to create a smooth and level surface for the panel's bottom seal. The AlumiSeal sill plate can be sealed to your structure, creating a perfectly consistent surface for the flood barriers.
INSTALLATION STEP 1
Positioning the MAKO Pressurized Flood Barrier
Remove the MAKO barrier from its storage bag and unfurl it near the opening to be protected. Use the included pump to slightly fill the top and bottom chamber, giving the flood barrier some structure to place and position it into your opening.
Tip: Don't fill your barrier too much at first, so that you can fit it into your opening and position it before full inflation.
Position the barrier in your threshold or opening, making sure that it is aligned equally, side-to-side and positioned with the rubber seal touching the threshold surface that it will be pressured up against.
Press down on your barrier to ensure that the bottom chamber is pressed against the lower sill or ground below and that any slack in the barrier is eliminated.
INSTALLATION STEP 2
Inflate The Upper Inflation Chamber
Remove the cap covering the inflator valve and attach a standard air pump to the valve. This can be the included inflator pump or an electric pump.
When using an electric pump, we recommend setting the inflation PSI to 12psi-15psi.
Inflate the chamber to the desired pressure, remove the pump from the valve and replace the safety cap.
Note: Do not exceed 15psi as that could damage your threshold or the panel's drop stitch fabric material.
Unfold The Flap, Open The Clamshell:
Open any folded flaps of the Stingray so the unit is completely unfolded and unfurled, with the front skirting flat to the ground and without creases. Extend the skirting towards the direction of the expected oncoming water. If possible use straps to assist in holding the top clamshell open as water is rising, or stake the top clamshell in an open position as water enters the chambers within the unit.
Fold PVC Flap Over Velcro
Finish Connecting Units
Line Units Up Next to Each Other
Spread Unit Out Evenly
Velcro Top & Bottom Section
Velcro Units Together
Attach Multiple Units:
Connect additional units, temporarily or permanently, to achieve your desired length of protection using the heavy duty, industrial strength velcro on both ends of the unit. For added durability, you can use the integrated tensioning straps and buckles to affix sections to each other. Sections may be left assembled and rolled or folded as a single run for future deployment. Ensure there are no gaps or openings between the velcro connected sections.
1) Weighted Front Strip - Built in weights keep the unit in place when deployed.
2) Partitions - Reinforced ribbing provides additional strength when water enters the flood dam.
3) Flotation Section - Top Section has a layer of embedded foam to provide flotation, opening the Stingray water pocket.
4) Back Flap with Grommet Holes - Ability to stake down units to keep in place.
5) Non-Slip Bottom - Located on the underside of the unit, the non-slip bottom prevents slipping to provide further stability.
6) Velcro Closure - Easily connect multiple units together with our industrial strength velcro.
Water Enters Barrier Pockets & Opens Into a V-Shape
Stingray Unit is Open & Holding Back Water
Grommet Holes For Extra Stability
Weighted Front Strip
Durable Industrial Velcro Connectors
Open Access Partition Chambers
Unfold Stingray in Desired Location
Water Activation and Features:
The oncoming water will automatically activate the water dam as it fills the ballast compartment and opens the Stingray. As the upper layer rises due to the embedded foam flotation top and water flow, Stingray will begin to hold back water. Incoming water pressure will ballast the Stingray to the ground below, allowing it to hold its position without drifting, even with a significant current. Make sure that corners are sealed and weighted with sandbags to maintain a good seal.
Adding Corner Sections
Making Turns:
There may be areas where corners are needed to go around a structure or property. Stingray has specialized corner pieces that allow for a 90 degree turn.
Set Up:
Stingray Corner units should be positioned where a turn is required. Deploy straight Stingray sections at a 90 degree angle to each other, with the corner piece in the corner between them. Make sure that the weighted edges of the corner piece are facing outwards towards the expected rising water.
Connecting Corner Units:
Similar to the connection of straight Stingray units, corner units connect using the heavy duty, industrial strength velcro on both ends. Additional straps and buckles can be fastened for greater strength.
Optional Steps For Added Stability and Security
Sandbags:
Strategically place sandbags or other weights on top of the Stingray for additional stability, especially on uneven surfaces. We recommend positioning any added sandbags at low points, ensuring a good seal between the front weighted skirting and the ground below. The key is to minimize any leakage below the Stingray.
Stakes and Ties:
There are a number of heavy duty loops and straps at the back and sides of each Stingray unit. These straps can be used to both move and position the Stingray and to stake or otherwise fasten or tie the unit to the ground or to side walls and fixed objects.
Pumps:
In the event there is water collecting behind the barrier from rain or runoff, it is recommended to deploy a sump pump in low lying areas behind the barrier. Water can be pumped and redirected back over the water dam. When a sump pump is used to pump water back over the barrier, consider utilizing an easel or stand to raise the hose over the top of the deployed Stingray barrier, preventing the weight from closing the Stingray.
Breakdown and Storage
After a Flood Event:
Once the flood water recedes, allow the Stingray to drain completely.
Clean and Dry:
Wash the Stingray with clean water and allow it to air dry completely before storage. You may also use blocks or other objects to prop up the Stingray ballast compartments to allow for increased airflow so it can fully dry.
Store Properly:
Store the Stingray in it’s durable bag or in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, for future use.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
For specific deployment recommendations based on your situation (water depth, ground conditions, etc.), consult Garrison to discuss your needs.
Do not place Stingray sections directly against a building as you should leave about 2ft between the structure and the back of the unit.
The Stingray is constructed with a 2:1 length to height ratio, so the available ground clearance should be 2x the height of protection needed.
When surveying your property, take into account any obstructions that may be in the way of laying down the unit properly (trees, shrubs, sheds, etc). Some work may be required to provide a suitable installation environment.
The most vulnerable period is when water levels are low. Seals are enhanced and performance is improved as water rises.
Expect some leakage. Perhaps, as a second line of defense, include sump pumps in low ground behind the water dam and/or additional doorway barriers at openings.
When damming, extend the Stingray up side walls or up river and creek banks. Stake or tie as needed up walls or on sloped ground.