When the Merlin Groups York Dungeon (basement) attraction suffered flooding in association with substantial and repeated rise of the nearby River Ouse, they considered what could be implemented to reduce future risk without detriment to the listed structure.
More specifically, it was not practical, or sympathetic to upgrade the structure to a condition in which it could adequately exclude water and resist the potential hydrostatic pressure. As a result, a strategy was developed, which in part included the ability to remove substantial quantities of water, in the event that this should penetrate.
Trace have previously advised on the waterproofing design at one of the groups new-build hotels, and were asked to advise on what could be employed to address the potential ingress.
A substantial sump chamber was installed, which received three pumps supplied by John Newton & Co. We specified the world's largest commercially available single phase pump, with a 90mm diameter discharge pipe, 62kg weight and 2.2kW power draw; capable of moving 1,200 litres per minute.
This was supported by two smaller 750w pumps, which could be operated by battery back-up, (whereas the larger pump could not), so that redundancy against power outage was included.
In total the system will move close to two thousand litres, or two cubic metres of water per minute.
