Patent Publication Number: US-2021189675-A1

Title: Barrier system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a flood barrier system that is scalable in size, shape, and orientation to a wide variety of applications. The invention may be used to protect an area or building during floods. In other forms, the barrier system may also be used for containing water or other flowable solids (such as grains) in an enclosed area. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. 
     Increased damage from unpredictable weather events that lead to flooding has heightened the need for temporary flood control barriers which may be easily transported, quickly erected at the desired site and then disassembled when the need for flood protection is relieved. Residential and business areas with buildings of relatively high commercial value can be adversely affected by flooding. Civic authorities in flood prone regions have tried to address the issue by building levees and erecting dykes. However, such construction is expensive and not always effective in preventing flood damage. 
     The time available to provide at least temporary flood protection for structural developments in flood prone areas may range from hours to several days. For example, during the severe flooding of Brisbane, Australia in January 2011, the predicted flood levels or “crests”, particularly downstream of the source of flooding, were available several days prior to the critical flood period. In this case, attempts to protect many structures in flood prone areas were unsuccessful in that sand bag barriers or temporary earthen dykes or levees were quickly breached once the flood waters impinged on these structures. However, even if permanent earthen levees or dykes were present, these structures would have been topped by the rising flood waters and efforts to increase the height of these levees using wooden planks, sandbags, or temporary sand or earth fill would have been largely unsuccessful. 
     The erection of sandbag and earth-fill barriers are labour and equipment intensive and time consuming and such structures can rapidly become saturated and structurally weakened to the point of failure. Still further, they create a problem with respect to removal after the flood-waters have subsided. 
     Currently available temporary (demountable) barriers usually comprise rigid barriers or semi-rigid connecting or interlocking components which are bulky to store, or fillable tubular bladders. 
     The erection of temporary barriers for containing toxic liquids or flowable solids such a grains for temporary storage is also highly desirable. In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a barrier system that addresses some of the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a barrier system comprising:
         an elongate and rigid base member having a channel defined by inner walls of the base member, the channel extending along the length of the base member, the rigid base member being adapted to be anchored to an underlying supporting surface wherein the channel comprises a relatively broader in-use lower portion with a first width (w 1 ) and a relatively narrower in-use upper portion with a second width (w 2 ) defining an opening into the channel;   a removable wall assembly adapted to be removably fastened relative to the base member, the removable wall assembly comprising a barrier wall having a length and a height and being adapted to be positioned within the opening of the upper portion of the channel wherein the wall assembly comprises a frame assembly for framing the barrier wall, the frame assembly further comprising a top frame member and a bottom frame member with the height of the flexible barrier wall extending therebetween and wherein the bottom member is dimensioned to have a thickness that is less than or equal to w 1  and that is greater than w 2  for allowing the bottom member be received into the lower portion of the channel to position the flexible barrier wall in a substantially upstanding position and for simultaneously preventing the bottom member from being passed through the opening defined by the upper portion of the channel in an upwardly direction.       

     In an embodiment, the lower portion of the channel defines a substantially curved surface and wherein the bottom member comprises a corresponding curved surface such that during use, the curved outer surface of the bottom member engages the curved surface of the lower portion of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the frame assembly is configured to allow the barrier wall to be rolled when the connecting arrangement is not received into the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the top frame member comprises:
         a loop extending along the length of the top portion of the barrier wall; and   a line adapted to be passed through the loop, wherein during use the line is configured to be tensioned for maintaining the barrier wall in the upstanding position.       

     In an embodiment, the loop forms a part of the top frame member of the frame assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the system further comprises a tensioning arrangement for tensioning the line. 
     In an embodiment, the barrier system further comprises a plurality of barrier support assemblies adapted to be positioned at spaced apart locations along the length of the barrier wall, the support assemblies may be adapted to be coupled to the top frame member to support the barrier wall in a substantially upstanding position. The support assemblies may be coupled directly to the tensioning line as described above. 
     In an embodiment, the support assembly comprises oppositely arranged support members adapted to be positioned transversely relative to the wall assembly such that respective top portions of the support members are adapted to be connected to the top frame at said plurality of spaced locations. 
     In an embodiment, each of said support member comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting an in-use height of the support member. 
     In an embodiment, the support member comprises a telescopic arrangement to allow length of the support member to be adjusted. 
     In an embodiment, the respective top portions of each support member are adapted to be interlocked to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the support assembly further comprises a supporting wall extending transversely relative to the barrier wall, the supporting wall having a relatively narrower top part coupled to the top member of the frame assembly and a relatively broader bottom part coupled to a base of the support, the base of the support being adapted to be positioned on a supporting surface. 
     In an embodiment, the wall assembly further comprises spaced apart lateral frame members with the length of the flexible barrier wall extending therebetween. 
     In an embodiment, the barrier system comprises a plurality of said wall assemblies and said base members interconnected with each other to define an enclosed area, the system further comprising one or more joining members for inter-connecting two adjacently located base members and two adjacently located wall assemblies. 
     In an embodiment, the joiner member is structured to fasten a first wall assembly and a second wall assembly such that a plane of the barrier wall of the first wall assembly intersects a plane of the barrier wall of the second wall assembly thereby allowing adjacent wall assemblies to be positioned in an angled configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the joiner member is structured to fasten a first wall assembly and a second wall assembly such that a plane of the barrier wall of the first wall assembly is co planar with a plane of the barrier wall of the second wall assembly thereby allowing adjacent wall assemblies to be positioned alongside each other. 
     In an embodiment, an upper portion of the joiner member is adapted to receive respective lateral frame members from adjacent wall assemblies and wherein a lower portion of the joiner member is adapted to be positioned in between the two adjacently located base members. 
     In an embodiment, the barrier system further comprises a bollard assembly configured to receive and store the wall assembly in a stowed configuration, the bollard assembly comprising a fastening arrangement to allow the bollard assembly to be fastened to the base member. 
     In an embodiment, the bollard assembly comprises a bollard housing with a roller mechanism positioned in the housing, the roller mechanism comprising a drum around which the flexible wall assembly can be wound to allow the flexible wall assembly to be stowed during periods of non-use. 
     In an embodiment, the bollard assembly further comprises a receiving arrangement for receiving and fastening a lateral side portion of the wall frame assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the base member is adapted to be permanently fastened to the underlying surface. 
     In an embodiment, the base member comprises a guide opening positioned at one or both lateral ends of the channel to allow insertion of the base member of the wall assembly into the lower portion of the channel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial exploded view (left hand side perspective) of the barrier system  100  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective in-use view of a base member  110  that forms a part of the barrier system  100 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of the base member  110 . 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged view of the base member  110   
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view (right hand side perspective) of the barrier system  100 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a barrier system  200  in accordance with a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of a joiner member  240  that forms a part of the barrier system  200 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the barrier system  200 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the barrier system  200  using a corner joiner member  240  to position two wall assembles  220  at substantially right angles to each other. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the barrier system  200  using a joiner member  240  to position two wall assembles  220  alongside each other. 
         FIG. 7  shows the use of an additional support assembly  330  for the barrier system  200 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a sectional view of the additional support assembly  330 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an additional support assembly  430  for the barrier system  200 . 
         FIG. 8A  is an isolated perspective view of the additional support assembly  430 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a sectional view of the additional support assembly  430 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a bollard assembly  500  shown in use with the barrier system  200 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective partial cutaway view of the bollard assembly  500  shown in use with the barrier system  200 . 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show perspective views for fastening arrangement  520 A and  520 B used for positioning the bollard assembly  500 . 
         FIG. 13  is an in-use perspective view of the barrier system  200  incorporating the bollard assembly  500 . 
         FIG. 14  is an in-use perspective view of the barrier system  200  being used for preventing flooding of an area surrounding a house or a building. The system  200  may also be used for containing a spill or leak from a storage location such as a warehouse. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a barrier system  100  for flood control in a confined area is illustrated. The barrier system  100  comprises of two main parts that can be optionally assembled together when a flooding event is imminent. At least one of these parts may be uncoupled and stowed away during other periods. The following passages will provide a detailed explanation of how the barrier system  100  can readily assembled during flood events and easily uncoupled and stowed away during other periods. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the barrier system  100  includes a rigid and elongate base member  110  (of indefinite length) that may be positioned around a perimeter of a house or a building that requires to be protected from flooding (as shown in  FIG. 14 ). The base member  110  is structured to be anchored to an underlying supporting surface. In the preferred embodiment, the inventor has envisioned that the base member  110  may be positioned in a shallow trench dug around the perimeter of the house or dwelling and be anchored and positioned within the trench such that a substantial part of the base member  110  is hidden from plain view. Such a configuration of the base member  110  may be considered to be structurally similar to a trench drain assembly. The inventor believes that concealing the base member  110  thereby alleviating the need to remove the base member  110  when the barrier system  100  is not being used. 
     Unlike many other barrier systems of the prior art that use heavy and bulky structures that are difficult to install and remove, the base member  110  of the present embodiment only needs to be installed once by way of anchoring the base  110  within a trench dug around the perimeter of the house or building being protected. Once anchored, the base member  110  can be left in a permanently installed position without the need to be removed. Referring to  FIGS. 2B and 2C , a sectional view of the base member  110  has been shown in an in-use configuration wherein the base member  110  has been installed below ground level. In other optional embodiments, the base member  110  may be modified to allow the modified base member to be anchored onto the supporting surface without being positioned in a trench. Preferably, the base member  110  is entrenched such that the top surface of the base member  110  is substantially flush with the ground. As a result, the base member  110  does not present a barrier for vehicles or pedestrians to cross when not in use in the stowed position. 
     The base  110  is also provided with a channel  112  extending along the length of the elongate base  110 . This channel  112  is structured to have sufficient depth that allows at least a part of a wall assembly  120  to be received into the channel  112  when the barrier system  100  needs to be installed in a flood preventing configuration. Such a configuration requires the wall assembly  120  to be positioned in a substantially upstanding configuration. The base  110  also comprises a top wall and outer side walls  114  that extend along the length of the base  110 . Outwardly extending feet  113  that extend outwardly from the outer side walls  114  are also provided to support the base member  110  upon a supporting surface. 
     The wall assembly  120  includes a flexible barrier wall  122  having a length and a height with a connecting arrangement provided in the wall assembly  120  to allow the wall assembly  120  to be easily received into the channel  112  of the base  110  in order to position the flexible barrier wall  122  in a substantially upstanding position to prevent flooding of an area adjacent the barrier wall  122 . The main advantage of providing a flexible barrier wall  112  is that the barrier wall  112  can be easily rolled away and stored easily once uncoupled from the base  110  as will be explained in further detail in the foregoing sections. The additional covering (such as but not limited to the cover-strip  115  shown in  FIG. 2 ) may also be positioned above the base member  110  for covering the channel  112  to prevent any contaminants from falling into the channel  112  when the channel  112  is not in use ie. when the barrier assembly  120  has been uncoupled from the base  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the wall assembly  120  includes a top frame member  124  and a bottom frame member  126  with the height of the barrier wall  122  extending therebetween such that the connecting arrangement for positioning the wall assembly  120  in the channel  112  is provided along the bottom frame member  126  to allow a portion of the bottom frame member  126  to be readily received into the channel  112  of the base member  110  during use. The connecting arrangement in the wall assembly  120  comprises a tube-shaped configuration for the bottom frame member  126  that allows the tube-shaped bottom frame member  126  to be received into and retained within a lower portion of the channel  112  when the flexible barrier wall assembly  120  has been stowed away. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 2C , the channel  112  in the base  110  is also provided with a relatively narrower mouth portion  117  with a width w 2  that is located directly above the relatively broader and larger bottom portion  119  of the channel  112  having a width w 1  which is sized for receiving the tube-shaped bottom frame member  126  of the wall assembly  120 . In the preferred embodiment, the bottom channel portion  119  defines a curved surface that is adapted to engage a corresponding curved surface of the bottom frae member  126 . The unique configuration of the channel  112  allows the bottom member  126  be received into the lower portion  119  of the channel  112  to position the flexible barrier wall  122  in a substantially upstanding position and for simultaneously preventing the bottom member  126  from being passed through the opening defined by the upper portion  117  of the channel in an upwardly direction. Such a novel configuration of the channel  112  ensures that the wall assembly  112  is not inadvertently withdrawn out of the channel  112  when forces are acting in an upwardly direction. As explained earlier, the system  100  is for providing an improved flood barrier It is also important to note that, during use, as the water level adjacent the flexible barrier wall  122  starts rising, the hydrostatic pressure increases which may exert pulling forces on the bottom frame member  126  in an upward direction towards the upper portion/roof the of the channel  112 . This pulling force also results in the curved surface of the bottom member  126  being pushed against the curved walls of the lower channel portion  119  resulting in a self-sealing effect. The reduced width w 2  of the upper channel portion  117  ensures that that the bottom member  126  of the frame assembly is retained in the channel  112 . In this regard, the bottom member  126  may be formed from a resilient or flexible material to be sufficiently rigid to form a seal with the walls of the channel  112  whilst being sufficiently flexible to allow the bottom frame member  126  to flex during use. 
     The unique narrow mouth configuration of the channel  112  also allows the cover  115  to be plugged into and fastened with the walls defining the opening of the narrower channel portion  117  when the wall assembly  120  is not being used. 
     One of the possible ways of coupling the wall assembly  120  from the base member  110  is to impart relative axial movement between the wall assembly  120  and the base member  110  (shown by the arrow in  FIG. 3 ) and withdraw the wall assembly  120  from one of the two ends of the base  110 . By way of example, if we refer to  FIGS. 2A and 3 , the bottom frame member  126  is inserted into the channel  112  by sliding the bottom frame member  126  in axial direction of the channel  112  via a guide opening  111  which has a slightly broader opening to allow easy insertion of the bottom member  126  into the channel  112 . The guide opening  111  may be provided on one of the ends of the base member  110  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 ) or in alternative embodiments two guide openings  111  may be provided at either end of the base member  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the top frame member  124  comprises a loop extending along the length of the top portion of the barrier wall  122 . A flexible line  121  (such as a metallic cable with sufficient tensile strength) passes through the loop to provide the top frame member  124 . The insertion of the line  121  into the loop of the top portion of the wall assembly  120  forms the top frame member  124  and provides structural support along the length of the top portion of the wall assembly  120 . During use, the tension in the line  121  may be varied by using a tension adjuster  123  to easily adjust tension in the line  121  in order to maintain the upper portion of the barrier wall  122  in an upright position during use. In at least some embodiments, the tension adjuster  123  may be useful for inter-connecting separate tensioning lines  121 . By way of example, if the two ends of the barrier assembly  120  are connected to respective additional barrier members  120  or any other structures that may or may not form part of the presently described barrier system  100  then such a tension adjuster may include additional coupling arrangements for forming such inter-connections. The upper and lower members  124  and  126  may be permanently attached to the flexible barrier wall  122  and may be rolled up with the upper and lower members  124  and  126  when not in use. The flexible line  121  may also be rolled up along-with the wall assembly and may not be withdrawn out of the loop of the top frame member  124 . 
     The wall assembly  120  also includes spaced apart lateral frame members  125  at either lateral end of the of the wall assembly  120  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). As discussed in the earlier sections, the wall assembly  120  is adapted to allow the barrier wall  122  to be easily rolled length-wise in between the lateral frame members  125  such that once the lower frame member  126  is withdrawn out of the channel  112  for the base  110 , the barrier wall can be easily rolled and put away in storage. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  illustrate a second embodiment of a barrier system  200  that uses a base member  210  which has an alternative structural configuration when compared with the base member  110  from the previously described barrier system  100 . The main difference between the base member  210  when compared with base member  110  is that base member  210  does not include outer walls that depend downwardly from a top portion of the base member  210 . Instead, the base member  210  includes outwardly extending lateral wall portions with ends that that sit flush on ground level when installed into a trench and suspend the channel  212  into the trench. As shown in  FIG. 6 , pegs or other types of fasteners may be used for fastening the base member  210  onto the ground during installation of the base  210 . 
     The base member  210  includes a channel  212  which has structural configuration that is similar to channel  112  as has been previously described. Specifically, the channel  212  includes a narrower top portion  217  and a broader bottom channel portion  219  that has a curved surface that can abut a corresponding curved surface of a bottom member  226  of the wall assembly  220 . The wall assembly  220  also includes a top frame member  224  and a bottom frame member  226  with the height of the barrier wall  222  extending therebetween such that the connecting arrangement for positioning the wall assembly  220  in the channel  212  is provided along the bottom frame member  226  to allow a portion of the bottom frame member  226  to be readily received into the channel  212  of the base member  210  during use. The connecting arrangement in the wall assembly  220  also comprises a tube-shaped configuration for the bottom frame member  226  that allows the tube-shaped bottom frame member  226  to be received into and retained within a lower portion of the channel  212  when the flexible barrier wall assembly  220  has been erected in an upstanding position. 
     During use, the upstanding wall assembly  220  is further supported by one or more supporting assemblies  230 . Each barrier support assembly  230  comprises a triangular supporting wall  232  extending transversely relative to the barrier wall  222 . The supporting wall  232  comprises a relatively narrower top part that forms the apex of the triangular wall  232  and is coupled to the top member  224  of the wall frame assembly  220 . The supporting wall  232  also includes a relatively broader bottom part coupled to a base  234  of the support which is adapted to be positioned on the ground. A number of such supports may be positioned one side or both sides of the barrier wall assembly  220  to provide additional support to the wall assembly during use. The support  230  may either be integrally formed with the flexible barrier wall  222  or in other embodiments the supports  230  may be provided in the form of discrete supporting members that are positioned adjacent to the wall assembly  120  (once erected) to provide additional support if required. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the barrier system  200  also comprises a joining member  240  that can be used to join two separate wall assemblies  220  along their lateral frame members  225 . The joining member  240  is also adapted to be coupled to two adjacently located base members  210 . The joining member  240  is provided to form a continuous inter-connected barrier system that can be easily used to interconnect wall assemblies at various angles. For example, in  FIG. 5 , the joining member  240  is structured or shaped to inter-connect two wall assemblies at right angles to one another. Each joiner member  240  includes two upright channels  242  located at either lateral end of the joiner member  240 . Each of the upright channels  242  is configured to receive a lateral frame member  225  from a respective wall assembly  220  thereby allowing two wall assemblies of the barrier system  200  to form a continuous flood barrier along a length of the perimeter of the area being protected from floods. Similarly  FIG. 4  shows the joiner member  240  being shaped to include two channels  242  that allow two wall assemblies  220  to be positioned in a co-planar manner. In some embodiments, the joiner member  240  may have a base that could be coupled to the base member  210 . In alternative embodiments, the joiner member  240  may be adapted to be positioned on and coupled to the ground without being directly coupled to the base member  210 . 
     The wall assembly  220  also includes spaced apart lateral frame members  225  at either lateral end of the of the wall assembly  220  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). As discussed in the earlier sections, the wall assembly  220  is adapted to allow the barrier wall  222  to be easily rolled length-wise in between the lateral frame members  225  such that once the lower frame member  226  is withdrawn out of the channel  212  for the base  210 , the barrier wall can be easily rolled and put away in storage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 7A , an additional support member  330  is shown for use with the barrier system  200 . Once again, the support  330  provides additional support to the erect barrier wall assembly  220  and prevent the wall assembly  220  from collapsing during periods when water is applying pressure against the barrier wall  222  during a flood event. Each additional support  330  includes an upper portion  332  that can be coupled to a top frame member  224  of the wall assembly  220  and an extendable leg portion  334 . In this instance, the additional support  330  may be directly coupled to the tensioning line  221  passing through the loop formed in the top frame member  224 . The plurality of the additional support members  330  may be positioned transversely relative to the wall assembly  220  such that respective top portions  332  of the support members  330  can be easily connected to the top frame  224  at a plurality of spaced locations along the top frame  224 . In the preferred embodiments, the leg  334  is telescopic and allows the length of the leg to be adjusted so that the supports  330  can be positioned on undulating surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B , another embodiment of the additional support  430  has been illustrated for use with system  200 . Like reference numerals denote like features that have been previously disclosed. Each of the additional supports  430  includes a pair of supporting members that are joined together at an upper portion  432  with telescopic legs  434 A and  434  depending in mutually opposed downwardly direction. Once again, upper portion  432  of each additional support  430  may be coupled with the tensioning line  221  located in the loop that forms a part of the top frame  224  of the wall assembly  220  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In the preferred embodiments, the legs  434  are telescopic which allows the length of each leg to be adjusted so that the supports  430  can be positioned on an uneven surface. 
     It is important to note that each of the top portions of the respective support members  330  or  430  may be passed through a cut-out opening  229  provided in the loop of the top frame member  224 . As a result, the supporting assembly  330  or  430  supports the flexible barrier wall  222  to maintain the barrier assembly  220  in a substantially upstanding position. A retaining arrangement may be provided on the respective upper portions  332  or  432  to secure the tensioning line  121  to the upper portion  332  or  432  of the supports  330  or  430 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 14 , the system  200  may further include a bollard assembly  500 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the bollard assembly  500  comprises a bollard housing  530  housing with a roller mechanism positioned in the housing. The roller mechanism comprises a drum  532  around which the flexible wall assembly  220  can be wound to allow the flexible wall assembly to be stowed during periods of non-use whilst the bollard is positioned upon the base member  210 . The bollard assembly  500  is configured to receive and store the wall assembly  220  in a stowed configuration whilst being fastened either to the base member  210  or to an underlying surface by a fastening arrangement  520  the bollard assembly comprising a fastening arrangement to allow the bollard assembly to be fastened to the base member  210  and be positioned in a substantially upright position. The roller may be mechanically driven by a hand held roller handle  510 . In alternative embodiments, the roller may also be driven using a motor. 
     The bollard housing  530  also comprises a channel  542  that runs along the height of the bollard housing  530 . The placement of the channel  542  allows the channel  542  to receive a lateral frame  225  and allow the deployment of a wall assembly  220  into a substantially upstanding position. In this manner, the bollard assembly  500  functions not only as a storage device for stowing the rolled wall assembly but also as a joiner member to join adjacently positioned wall assemblies  220 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  provide two alternative embodiments for fastening the bollard housing  500  onto the base member (denoted by  210 ). Like reference numerals denote like features that have been previously described. The first fastening arrangement  210 A shown in  FIG. 11  comprises a bayonet lock connecting arrangement that allows the bayonet pins  533  on the bollard housing  530  to be locked into a circular channel  534  of a socket  535 . The bayonet design is not intended to be a single geometry element that unto itself is design critical to the operation concept of this mechanism. Alternate methodology may be used to facilitate securement of the bollard housing  530  to the base member  210 . The second alternative type of fastening arrangement  520  B (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) comprises a base plate  536  with a spigot  537 . The base plate  536  may be positioned flush with the ground level and/or one or more base members  210  with the spigot portion  537  being driven into the ground. A lower portion of the bollard housing  530  may be fastened to the base plate  536  by way of fasteners such as screws or bolts. 
     Turning to  FIG. 14 , a perspective in-use view of the barrier system  200  has been shown. The barrier  200  has been constructed by inter-connecting several wall assemblies  220  with each other by using four bollard members  500 . A typical installation process would involve unfurling the flexible barrier wall  222  in a lengthwise direction and positioning the lower frame member  226  for each wall assembly  120  into the channel  212  of the base members  210  anchored along the perimeter of the house. At each of the four corners of the area to be protected, the bollard assemblies  500  are positioned to inter-connect the wall assemblies  220  in a continuous manner. Support assemblies  230  and  330  have also been shown in use. The support assemblies extend transversely from the barrier wall assemblies  220  in a manner as previously described to provide additional support to the erected wall assembly  220  during periods of flooding. It will be understood that the system  200  is in no way limited to using a plurality of barrier assemblies  220 . For example, a single continuous barrier assembly  220  may be coupled with one or a plurality of base members  110  for forming a continuous barrier wall without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The presently described embodiments of the barrier systems  100  or  200  refers to use during floods. However, such use is not limiting and the barrier system  100 in accordance with other embodiments may be utilised for containment of toxic chemical either in liquid or solid form or other materials such as grains within a confined space. The use of the barrier systems  100  and  200  is not limited to being used to confine a given area. By way of example. The systems  100  or  200  may be positioned across a door opening in a building to prevent water from entering the house during a flooding event. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. 
     The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.