Protecting your premises from Flooding

🌧️ Protecting Your Premises from Flooding During Heavy Rainfall

A Practical Facilities Management Guide

By Peter Davies

Founder & CEO | Premises Management Group Surrey

Across the UK, heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent — and for schools, educational settings, and commercial premises, flooding is no longer a rare event.

From damaged flooring and equipment to electrical risks and building closures, even minor water ingress can quickly become a serious operational issue.

At Premises Management Group Surrey (PMGS), we believe flood prevention isn’t just reactive maintenance — it’s a proactive facilities management strategy built into daily operations.

Here are the most effective ways estates and facilities teams can reduce flood risk and protect their buildings.

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🏗️ 1. Maintain Drainage Systems Before Problems Start

Blocked gutters, downpipes, and drains are one of the biggest causes of internal flooding.

PMGS recommends:

• Scheduled seasonal gutter inspections

• Clearing debris from roofs and valleys

• Ensuring external drains are visible and accessible

• Monitoring water flow during heavy rain to identify hidden blockages

Small preventative checks often prevent costly emergency callouts later.

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🌿 2. Manage Grounds with Flood Prevention in Mind

Grounds maintenance directly impacts how water moves around your site.

Key considerations:

• Ensure surfaces slope away from buildings

• Prevent soil build-up around door thresholds

• Maintain soakaways and permeable areas

• Avoid storage or fencing that blocks natural drainage routes

A well-managed external environment supports a resilient building.

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🚪 3. Strengthen Vulnerable Entry Points

Doors, low-level windows, and loading areas are common water ingress points — especially in older school buildings.

Simple improvements include:

• Maintaining door seals and thresholds

• Installing drainage channels near entrances

• Using temporary flood barriers where risks are known

• Implementing effective matting systems to reduce water tracking indoors

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⚡ 4. Protect Plant Rooms and Electrical Infrastructure

One of the most critical areas in any facility is the plant room or electrical cupboard.

Best practice:

• Keep equipment raised off floors where possible

• Ensure pump systems are operational

• Install leak detection where appropriate

• Train teams on emergency isolation procedures

Protecting these areas protects the entire operation of your site.

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🧰 5. Build Flood Checks into Your Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM)

Flood prevention should be part of structured estates management — not just a seasonal reaction.

PMGS encourages:

• Regular roof and flashing inspections

• Drain jetting where required

• Checking expansion joints and seals

• Reviewing historical leak areas annually

Proactive maintenance is always more cost-effective than reactive repairs.

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📋 6. Develop a Clear Flood Response Plan

Even with strong prevention, extreme weather can still test a building.

A clear response plan should include:

• Named keyholders and response roles

• Emergency contact procedures

• Locations of wet vacs and spill kits

• Communication plans for staff, hirers, or tenants

For multi-use education sites — something we frequently support — clarity around out-of-hours responsibilities is essential.

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👷 7. Empower and Train Your Premises Team

Your frontline staff are your strongest defence.

Encourage teams to:

• Report early signs of pooling water or leaks

• Monitor known risk areas during storms

• Understand drainage layouts and isolation points

Experienced premises professionals often prevent incidents long before they escalate.

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💬 Final Thoughts from PMGS

Flood prevention isn’t just about heavy rain — it’s about resilience, planning, and strong facilities leadership.

When estates teams stay proactive:

✔ Buildings remain safe and operational

✔ Costs are controlled

✔ Compliance risks reduce

✔ Learning and business continuity stay protected

At Premises Management Group Surrey, we support schools and organisations with practical premises management strategies, proactive maintenance planning, and operational guidance designed to keep buildings safe, compliant, and ready for use — whatever the weather brings.

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Premises Management Group Surrey

Professional Premises & Cleaning Solutions

Tailored for Schools, Educational Facilities & Commercial Environments

📧 info@schoolpremisesmanagementcleaningsolutions.co.uk

☎️ Office: 020 3952 1438

📱 Mobile: 07523 024900