Installation Instructions.
Transport Beluga Bags For Deployment.
Big Beluga bags are stored on pallets for deployment as needed to mitigate flooding. Typically, 90 beluga bags are stored on standard size shipping pallets
Before deploying, be sure to place the expanded big bags such that the “Water Side” is facing the direction of the expected rising water.
Expand Beluga Bags.
Beluga bags weigh 12 lbs each empty. Two people should transport each 5 compartment bag into position for expansion. One person should use the lifting straps on one side to pull open and expand the bag, while the second crew member pulls in the opposite direction.
Connecting Bags.
Beluga bags should be nudged together as much as possible, prior to connection and filling. This helps maintain the best seal possible and prevents seepage of water and is sufficient for most projects.
For an even better seal, and more consistent alignment, we suggest putting polyvinyl sheeting over and spanning bag seams. You can also use spring clips, prior to filling, to hold adjacent bags together. When filled, the bags will press up against each other, making the seal.
Fill Bag Compartments with Sand.
Once the sand has arrived at the site, use standard material handling equipment, such as a front end loader (preferred), excavator, backhoe, or skid steer, to load sand in bulk into each container. You can use sand or other aggregate material for fill, depending on what is available, however sand provide good coverage and prevents gaps.
If bags have not been fastened to each other, hold off on filling the last compartment, until the next Beluga bag has been placed adjacent to the run, and connected. This ensures you are able to adjust and tweak the positioning of the bags before filling the next one. Bags will contour to the ground below and can follow varying terrain. Bags can also be turned slightly during installation and fill.
Other tips and Suggestions.
We recommend bringing some standard Garrison sandbags on site to fill small gaps or seams that may arise due to varying landscape and terrain and to plug holes at the end of a barrier run. Sandbags are always useful on the job site, when constructing berms, levees, and dikes.
As water levels rise, monitor your barrier for breaches. Should there be an unexpected breach, it is possible to deploy a single (or larger if needed) Beluga bag behind the existing barrier, to provide reinforcement and to seal the opening. Bags should always be placed at the center of the seam between two Beluga bags. You may want to have one or more pre-filled Single Beluga bags on hand, as extra security.
When it can be safely done, we recommend that you clear debris that may accumulate due to water flow away from a Beluga barrier. This prevents any unintentional, though unlikely, puncturing of the bag.
Should rainwater or overflow enter bags, the non “water side” walls are semi-permeable, allowing the water to slowly drain out of the bag.
Stacking Beluga Bags.
Beluga bags may be stacked for additional height. When stacking bags, we recommend always stacking in a pyramidal shape, staggering bag seams to provide additional strength. We recommend consulting with a local engineer to review plans prior stacking barriers higher than two bags high, to ensure structural integrity, based on the local conditions.
If water is expected to rise above the first Beluga layer, we recommend special orderings Beluga bags with a close-able top, to protect the fill material. Alternatively, you can place heavy duty vinyl tarps on top of each level, before stacking the next layer of Beluga. We recommend you use traditional sand bags to help secure the tarp to the exposed tops of the Beluga barriers. Depending on the heigh of the wall being constructed, you could put a single tarp above all layers (usually this doesn’t work over two laters) and secure these with traditional sand bags.
*Important note: We do not recommend stacking bags more than 3-4 layers high, or roughly 15 ft.
Striking (Removing) Beluga Bag Barriers.
Beluga bags can be transported and stored loaded with sand for future use, though we recommend tipping and unloading sand from bags after each use.
When moving individual (single compartment Beluga bags - BG1), a standard forklift can be used to transport the Single Beluga bag, by placing the forks through the lifting strap loops. All 4 lifting straps should be used when lifting a bag. When unloading a single bag, you can use a front end loader and tip the bags on their side, to empty them of sand. Sand can then be moved using the front end loader into storage or on to an awaiting truck.
Each fully loaded Single Beluga Bag (BG1) weighs roughly 3,000lbs, depending on specific fill material. Proper equipment should be used to handle the expected weight.
When transporting a fully filled 5 compartment Beluga Bag (BG5), a 15ft spreader bar should be used to distribute weight over the 5 bag compartments. Heavy duty lifting straps should be used from the spreader bar to each loop or loop set.
There are 6 sets of straps on each 5 compartment bag, but it is important to note that each interior connection between bags has 4 straps per interior seam. Lifting straps should be threaded through all 4 straps for interior seams and both exterior straps on each side (2 for each side).
To unload sand from a full Beluga Bag, we suggest utilizing a spreader bar, with heavy duty lifting straps. Straps should be run through each lifting strap loop on ONE SIDE of the beluga bags. Slowly lift the bags from one side and maneuver the straps to tip the bags forward, dumping the fill sand. Use a standard front end loader to transport and load sand on to an awaiting truck.
Each fully loaded 5 compartment Beluga Bag (BG5) weighs roughly 15,000 lbs., depending on specific fill material. Only suitable equipment, capable of handing the bags loaded weight (plus a safety factor) should be used.
If you have no need to reuse beluga bags, after a flood protection event, it is possible to cut the bag open, using a sharp utility knife. This allows the sand fill to be released and removed from the site using a standard front-end loader.
When re-using Beluga bags, be sure to carefully wash and dry bags before storage, preventing mold and mildew.