BS 85600:2017

BS 85600:2017 gives guidance and recommendations for investigating flood eventsand carrying out a post-event flood assessment to ensure that consistent, good quality datacan be collected repeatedly for a variety of potential uses. Specifically, it gives guidance andrecommendations for:

• investigating flooding incidents according to the type and severity of flooding;
• thresholds for different levels of investigations based on the communities, businessesand infrastructures affected (e.g. domestic and commercial buildings, utilities, road andrail networks);
• the most useful information to collect;
• the organizations to contact to supply or corroborate the information; and
• the preparation of a report containing information collected and initial recommendations forrisk management authorities.

NOTE In England and Wales, Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 [1] requires Lead LocalFlood Authorities to investigate and publish reports on significant flood incidents. The recommendations of thisBritish Standard go beyond the legal requirements of Section 19, but provide a useful basis for informing suchreports. No legal requirement for post-flood surveys exists in Scotland or Northern Ireland (NI). In Scotland, suchreporting is carried out on an ad hoc basis only, with an annual report to Parliament on flood incidents and affectedcommunities, produced by Scottish Government officials. In Northern Ireland, post flood investigations are carriedout as a matter of course where there is flooding from a watercourse only. In both countries good practice isfollowed for the surveys, although it is recognized that some form of technical standardization would be of benefit.This British Standard is applicable to investigation of natural sources of flooding, rather than failureof structures or other assets.This British Standard does not give guidance on resolving flooding or what measures to take toprevent flooding from occurring in the future (see Figure 1).This British Standard is intended to be used by flood risk management authorities and consultantsengaged to undertake post-flood investigations.Cross References:Flood and Water Management ActData Protection ActHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999