Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterTight
Wide Apertures. No Posts Required.
Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterTight has been developed for wide commercial and industrial apertures where the use of demountable posts is not practical or possible. Where WaterWall uses posts at 1500mm intervals to span unlimited widths, WaterTight spans up to 5m as a freestanding compression-sealed system fixed directly to permanent wall rails on either side of the opening.
Like all Caro Flood Defence barrier systems, WaterTight is manufactured in-house at our production facility in Kent, made to order and quality assured to ISO 9001:2015.
Is WaterTight Right for Your Application?
WaterTight is primarily specified for commercial and industrial applications including wide vehicle access points, warehouse entrances, large commercial doorways and external wall openings where structural constraints rule out post-based systems. It can also be specified for residential applications in limited circumstances, such as wide external openings between walls.
If you are unsure which configuration is most suitable for your project, our team can advise. Contact us at info@caro.co.uk or call +44 (0)1763 244446.
How WaterTight Works
WaterTight panels slot into permanent wall rails fixed on each side of the aperture. When a flood warning is issued, panels are stacked into the rails and compression units are tightened using an Allen key to compress the base gasket firmly against the floor threshold, creating an active watertight seal.
The system can be deployed in minutes by two adults.
The one-time installation of wall rails should be carried out by a professional installer. Caro works with a network of approved installers across the UK. Deployment of the panels when a flood occurs is carried out by the property owner or occupant.
Key Features
- Wide aperture coverage. WaterTight spans up to 5m without demountable posts, using wall rails fixed to the structure on either side.
- Compression-sealed system. Panels are secured and sealed by engineered compression units tightened with an Allen key. The large-section rubber gasket at the base compresses against the floor threshold for a robust seal.
- 50mm box-section panel profile. A deeper, more robust panel section than WaterDoor and WaterWall, designed for the structural demands of wider spans.
- Barrier heights from 200mm to 1200mm. Individual panels are 200mm or 300mm high and stacked to the required barrier height. Additional heights available on request. Please note WaterTight panels are only available in 200mm increments.
- Made to order. Every system is manufactured to the exact dimensions of the aperture. Contact the Caro team with your measurements to receive a quote.
- UK manufactured. Manufactured in-house at our Kent production facility under ISO 9001:2015 quality management. Net Zero Carbon, Future Net Zero Platinum awarded.
- Allen key operation. All fixings are operated with an Allen key supplied with the system.
- Two adults for deployment. WaterTight is designed to be deployed by the property owner or occupant with a minimum of two adults.
Technical Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Configuration | WaterTight |
| Maximum Aperture Width | Up to 5m |
| Barrier Heights | 200mm to 1200mm as standard (panels are 200mm high, stacked to required height). Additional heights available on request. |
| Panel Profile Depth | 50mm box-section aluminium extrusion |
| Panel Material | Aluminium with stainless steel fixings |
| Wall Rail Material | Aluminium (compression units include stainless steel fixings) |
| Sealing | Compression-sealed: large-section rubber base gasket and rubber inter-panel seals |
| Fixing Mechanism | Engineered compression units, operated with Allen key (supplied with system) |
| Deployment Personnel | Minimum 2 adults |
| Deployment Speed | Minutes |
| Installation | Professional installation of wall rails recommended. Caro approved Flood Co installers available. |
| Compatible Surfaces | Brickwork, render, hardwood, concrete, stone and steel structures |
| Flood Types Covered | Surface water, river (fluvial), tidal, runoff and sewer flooding |
| Quality Standard | ISO 9001:2015 |
| Carbon Credentials | Net Zero Carbon (Future Net Zero Platinum accreditation) |
| Design Life | Up to 10 years with correct maintenance |
| Manufacturing | In-house, Kent, UK |
Testing and Performance
Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterTight has been independently tested and results demonstrated the system's suitability to hold back flood water. Caro is working towards formal British Standard certification for the WaterTight configuration.
All other Caro Flood Defence Barrier configurations (WaterDoor and WaterWall) hold full third-party approval to BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021, independently certified by KIWA (Certificate KA-25-1001). For projects where this certification is a procurement requirement, WaterDoor or WaterWall may be more appropriate depending on aperture width. Our team can advise.
WaterTight Components
Wall Rails & Compression Units
Permanently fixed wall rails are installed on each side of the aperture. Engineered compression units are tightened using an Allen key to compress the large-section rubber base gasket firmly against the floor threshold, creating an active watertight seal across the full width of the opening.
Panel Extrusion
Individual panels are 200mm high x 50mm deep box-section, supplied with rubber inter-panel seals to prevent water ingress. All panels are cut to the required length as part of the made-to-order manufacturing process.
Installation & Deployment
For instructions on how to deploy your flood barriers, please see the Caro Flood Defence Barrier Installation and Deployment Guides.
View Installation & Deployment GuidesOptional Extras
A range of optional extras is available to complement your Caro Flood Defence Barrier system.
This includes additional components and accessories to support installation in specific site conditions.
Professional Installation
WaterTight wall rails are fixed to the structure on each side of the aperture during a one-time installation. This installation is best carried out by a professional installer. Caro works with a network of approved installers who can be contacted via the Caro team.
Once the wall rails are in place, deployment of the panels in response to a flood warning is carried out by the property owner or occupant with a minimum of two adults.
WaterDoor is made to order. To receive a quote, please provide your opening
width and required barrier height and our team will respond promptly.
Email: info@caro.co.uk
WaterTight Page FAQ
What is the Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterTight?
Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterTight is a demountable flood barrier system designed for wide apertures where the use of demountable posts is not practical. It spans up to 5m using permanent wall rails on either side of the opening, with panels secured and sealed by compression units tightened with an Allen key. It is often used for commercial and industrial applications as well as selected residential applications. WaterTight is manufactured in-house in the UK by Caro Flood Defence.
How is WaterTight different from WaterWall?
WaterWall spans wide openings using demountable posts at 1500mm intervals, meaning posts must be positioned across the aperture during deployment. WaterTight achieves wide-span protection without any posts, using a compression-sealed system fixed to wall rails on each side of the opening. WaterTight is typically specified where structural constraints, access requirements or operational considerations make demountable posts unsuitable.
Is WaterTight approved to BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021?
WaterTight has been independently tested and results demonstrated the system's suitability to hold back flood water. WaterTight does not currently hold formal third-party approval to BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021, although Caro is working towards British Standard certification for this configuration. WaterDoor and WaterWall hold full KIWA-certified approval to BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021 (Certificate KA-25-1001). For projects where certification is a mandatory requirement, please contact our team for guidance.
Can WaterTight be used in residential applications?
WaterTight can be specified for residential use in limited circumstances, such as protecting wide external openings between walls where demountable posts cannot be used. For most residential doorways and openings up to 1500mm wide, Caro Flood Defence Barrier WaterDoor is generally the more appropriate solution. Contact our team to discuss the best configuration for your property.
How is WaterTight installed and deployed?
Installation is a one-time process in which permanent wall rails are fixed to the structure on each side of the aperture. This work is best carried out by a professional installer, and Caro can connect you with an approved installer in your area. When a flood warning is issued, the property owner or occupant deploys the system by stacking the panels into the wall rails and tightening the compression units using an Allen key. WaterTight requires a minimum of two adults for deployment and can typically be installed in minutes.