Despite Thailand’s favorable climate compared to many other countries in the region, it frequently experiences conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and high water runoff, often exacerbated by forecasts issued by meteorological departments, thereby increasing the risk of widespread flooding. In such a climate, preparedness is not a mere option; it is an essential requirement to safeguard lives, assets, and the continuity of business operations.

The industrial sector encounters persistent threats from natural disasters, particularly severe flooding, which can disrupt operations, inflict substantial damage on valuable assets, and pose environmental and safety hazards. Therefore, factories must obtain information from weather forecasts and relevant communication channels, ensuring that they proactively prepare for the possibility of receiving flood volume data. In such situation, The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) underscores the paramount importance of effective preparation and implementation of mitigation strategies in mitigating the severity of damage to life and property resulting from heavy rainfall and flash floods.

Since the core mission of the DIW encompasses promoting and supporting knowledge in machinery, manufacturing, the environment, safety, hazardous materials, energy, and social responsibility to foster industrial development, a key aspect of this mission is raising awareness and disseminating knowledge regarding disasters such as floods. By adhering to recommended guidelines, factories can prevent or alleviate severe damage that may occur to personnel, property, machinery, equipment, and electrical systems.

The necessity of comprehensive flood prevention protocols is painfully evident from historical disasters. The devastating flood of B.E. 2554 (2011) serves as a stark reminder of the potential scale of destruction. This event severely impacted agricultural and industrial areas across 65 provinces. Regions particularly hard hit included the Chao Phraya River basin and the Mekong River basin.

The consequences for factory operators were extensive, involving multiple layers of loss:

  1. Direct Asset Loss: Factories suffered the outright destruction of assets, including machinery, equipment, raw materials, products, and factory buildings.
  2. Operational Loss: Beyond physical damage, businesses lost opportunities for production and sustained significant income loss during temporary shutdowns while floodwaters remained stagnant.
  3. Post-Flood Costs: Even after the water receded, factories incurred substantial expenses for repairing, maintaining, and ensuring the safe working condition of machinery and equipment.

 

Guideline on Flood Prevention and Mitigation Procedure

Given the potential for such catastrophic outcomes, the DIW developed comprehensive guidelines for flood prevention, focusing on water ingress prevention, chemical and industrial waste management, protection of machinery and electrical systems, and wastewater treatment management. The goal is to establish proper procedures for the periods before, during, and after a flood to reduce the impact of these events.


Flood Prevention and Mitigation Procedure for Factories Guideline by DIW (2013)
https://www.diw.go.th/webdiw/a15102568-02/

The DIW guideline outlines detailed steps for factories to follow, starting with critical planning measures and extending through specific operational domains—covering preparedness, immediate response, and post-flood recovery. It can be summarized as followed,

1. Comprehensive Planning and Initial Preparedness

Planning must start immediately, prior to any flood event. The item that factories should prepare including,

1.1 Emergency Communication and Evacuation:

Factories must compile a list of necessary contact numbers for assistance, including the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Hotline (1784), DIW (0-2202-4000), local hospitals, and provincial industrial offices. A clear evacuation plan must be established, specifying assembly points and contact methods for co-workers, while ensuring the capacity of these assembly centers is sufficient for all staff. These contacts should be stored in an easily accessible location.

1.2 Insurance and Asset Valuation:

Factory operators should verify that their existing insurance plans explicitly cover flood damage. It is crucial to ensure that asset values are not underestimated when securing coverage.

1.3 The “Flood Box” (Emergency Kit):

A readily accessible flood kit should be maintained in operational condition, including essential factory documents (e.g., permits, insurance documents), flashlights and backup batteries, generators, DC-powered communication radios, protective warm/waterproof clothing, first aid supplies, water, and dried food.

1.4 Flood Warning Recognition:

Employees should be familiar with official flood warning levels (e.g., Observation/Watch, Alert, Evacuation) to trigger appropriate emergency procedures promptly.

2. Preventing Water Ingress and Protecting Assets

Physical prevention measures focus on keeping water out and moving vital equipment to safety.

2.1 Elevating Assets:

Do not wait for water to rise. Machinery, equipment, and movable chemicals must be immediately moved to a higher, safe area. Important items like documents, warranties, and data storage sources should be relocated to the upper floors. Items located outside the building should also be elevated above ground level.

2.2 Structural Mitigation:

Buildings can be protected by increasing the floor height above anticipated flood levels or by constructing the building on higher terrain.

2.3 Temporary Barriers:

Temporary devices should be used upon flood warning.

  • Sandbags: Sandbags should be filled to about half their volume (weighing 15-18 kg) for ease of transport. They should be laid in an interlocking, pyramid shape, ensuring the base is about three times the height. For maximum durability against strong currents, the bag openings should face away from the water flow. Plastic sheets should be placed over the sandbag wall and held down at the edges by additional sandbags, ensuring the plastic is not too taut.
  • Sealing Openings: Use specialized flood panels to seal doors and windows, or employ materials like clay or silicone compounds to seal cracks and joints around doors, sills, and frames.

 

3. Specific Protection Protocols (Machinery, Chemicals, Electrical Systems)

3.1 Machinery and Equipment Protection:

  • Before Flood: Move all portable machinery and gas cylinders to non-flood zones and close continuous gas system valves. For non-movable items (e.g., pressure vessels), construct flood walls around them. Coat exposed metal pipes and surfaces with protective substances like grease or oil to prevent water contact and corrosion. Seal lubrication system draining points to prevent water ingress into the system. Ensure water pumps are ready for deployment.
  • During Flood: Operation of machinery is strictly forbidden, except for emergency relief equipment such as water pumps.
  • After Flood: Clean and dry all equipment. Submerged items must be inspected for corrosion. Damaged equipment must be repaired by skilled technicians or engineers. Specifically, check the lubrication system and replace oil if water contamination is suspected. Clean water pumps of silt and sediment if they were used during the flood.

3.2 Chemical Management:

  • Before Flood: Conduct an inventory of all chemicals, noting their type, quantity, storage location, and container condition. Store chemicals according to their specific properties detailed in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). For instance, highly reactive or special hazardous chemicals (e.g., organic peroxides) require temperature control and protection from water. Implement protective measures, such as building barriers, or transport chemicals to safe, high-ground locations. Stop production and empty chemicals from the process system.
  • After Flood/Spill Management: If containers are damaged, use spare, suitable containers and label them correctly. If a chemical spill occurs, follow the SDS instructions immediately. Staff must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Small spills require suitable absorbents (e.g., sand, sawdust), being careful not to use flammable absorbents for flammable chemicals. Large spills require building containment dykes to prevent spread and using recovery equipment. If the spilled chemical is flammable, all ignition sources must be isolated, and anti-spark equipment must be used. Chemicals that were submerged and degraded are considered hazardous waste and must be collected and sent to an appropriate treatment facility, adhering to industrial waste laws.

3.3 Electrical System Protection:

  • Before Flood: Protect floor-mounted electrical infrastructure (transformers, main switchboards) using sandbags. Raise vulnerable electrical appliances, motors, and single-insulated wiring (THW) to higher levels, preferably around 20 meters. Staff must be trained to avoid contact with electrical appliances or plugs during a flood.
  • After Flood: All flooded electrical components, including transformers, main wiring, and switchboards, require inspection, testing, and cleaning by qualified electricians. Do not immediately energize flooded equipment. ACB units with electronic components may need inspection by the supplier, while MCCBs might be dried, but all must undergo testing for insulation and leakage. If the electricity meter continues to run after all loads are unplugged and all lights are turned off, a leak is indicated, requiring professional attention.

 

DIW advisory document against flood

The letter issued by the Department of Industrial Works in October of this year serves as an urgent reminder for factory operators to execute preparedness measures immediately, focusing on the current risks posed by heavy rainfall and high water runoff. The DIW letter also directs factory operators to be attentive to the situation and prepare diligently. The overarching theme is the need for proactive readiness to mitigate severe damage to life and property.

Critical Recommendations for Immediate Action: Factories are strongly advised to take the following actions, ensuring alignment with the comprehensive guidelines provided by the DIW:

1. Electrical System Verification:

A thorough inspection of the entire electrical system is mandated. This involves confirming the integrity of all wiring, connections, and protective devices, especially those that might be vulnerable to rising water or residual moisture.

2. Flood Prevention Equipment Readiness:

Factory operators must ensure that all flood prevention equipment (such as temporary barriers, pumps, and other essential tools) is in a prepared and operational state. This complements the earlier planning requirement to maintain the “Flood Box”.

3. Adherence to Operational Guidelines:

Factories are urged to adhere strictly to the preparedness measures and operational guidelines outlined by the DIW. This means applying the detailed procedures for machinery, chemical, waste, and electrical protection consistently throughout the factory.

4. Information Monitoring and Communication:

Given the immediate threat, factories must actively monitor weather forecasts and information from relevant government agencies to adjust their response plans dynamically according to the potential level of flooding.

By swiftly implementing these key recommendations, particularly focusing on electrical safety and ensuring immediate access to functional flood protection tools, factories enhance their resilience against flash floods and high water runoff, safeguarding their operations and personnel.

 

Analogy for Understanding Flood Mitigation:

Preparing a factory for a flood is analogous to fortifying a ship against a tempest. The electrical system, machinery, and delicate materials constitute the paramount cargo. Planning entails delineating the most secure course of action (evacuation routes and contact points). Structural reinforcement, such as sandbags and flood barriers, serves as the act of securing the vessel’s defenses to prevent water ingress. Finally, ensuring the readiness of essential safety equipment, including pumps and emergency kits, guarantees that in the event of a hull breach, immediate tools are available to mitigate damage and avert the complete sinking of the vessel. The annual recommendations issued by the DIW function as an urgent weather alert, signaling that general preparedness must now transition into proactive and immediate mitigation measures.