Leading builders' merchant JP Corry has announced that it has formed and exclusive partnership with leading provider of sustainable, passive flood solutions, UK Flood Barriers (UKFB).

The merchant will be selling the company's range of specialist Flood Angel® flood defence products through 13 of its branches across Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The partnership follows the recent announcement that UK Flood Barriers is partnering with Jewson, part of JP Corry’s parent company Saint-Gobain Building Distribution.

Frank Kelly, chief executive of UK Flood Barriers, commented: "It seems that barely a week goes by without flooding hitting the headlines and leaving many homeowners distraught, businesses destroyed and vital infrastructure damaged. It is essential for the public to understand that there are steps they can take to protect their assets in a sustainable way. Partnering with JP Corry ensures the products that safeguard against flooding are easily accessible across northern and southern Ireland."

In recent years Ireland has seen a number of flooding incidents, most recently in June this year when a high volume of rain fell overnight and caused flash flooding. During two of the most severe flood events across northern and southern Ireland 8,100 households were effected, meaning huge cost and emotional anguish for homeowners.

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This new partnership between JP Corry and JP UKFB will increase the accessibility of effective defences to protect from flooding via sewage systems and airbricks – a far higher risk point than through entrances. For example, the Flood Angel® 110mm Non-Return Valve sits within sewage pipes to protect basements and ground flood rooms against flooding caused by return flow of sewage water – a devastating consequence. Airbricks are also a likely source for letting in water, and the Flood Angel® Anti-flood Airbrick can be installed as an alternative; triggered by the power of the oncoming water, it still allows the free flow of air when not in use.

New legislation will soon dictate that the construction industry needs to take action – with the Code for Sustainable Homes calling for all new properties to include flood protection, and future planning applications to be required to pass a flood risk assessment to avoid inappropriate development. Homeowners may also have sole responsibility for the financial outcomes of flooding when the Statement of Principles, the insurance industry's voluntary flood agreement with the government ends in 2013.

Ciaran McConnell, Sales and Marketing Director JP Corry added: "New legislation is going to affect everyone who works in the building industry but construction professionals now have an accessible route to buy the necessary defence products to meet the requirements and safeguard properties from the effects of flooding. We pride ourselves on providing quality building products and service for nearly 200 years and our partnership with UK Flood Barriers will help to not only raise awareness of the flood defences options now available but to educate the industry on the wider spread issue of flooding."

The products will initially be available from 13 JP Corry branches, 10 in Northern Ireland and branches in County Galway and also County Tipperary.

For more information about JP Corry and its partnership with UKFB, please visit: www.jpcorry.com.