A Risk Assessment of Piql Services by FFI

B.3 Natural Disaster: Flood

Scenario number 3

Flood

Scenario justification

Justification : Floods are a regular occurrence across the globe, and a piqlVault will almost certainly be affected by one during the next 500 years. With the effects of climate change, there may be swings in weather from severe drought to severe rainfall, which will make flooding all the more prominent. As the recommended placement of piqlVaults is in lower floors or basements in areas not affected by flood risk, it is likely that these can be subjected to floods some time in the future, if the current climate forecasts persist. Purpose : The particular relevance this scenario serves to the assessment of the vulnerabilities of the Piql Preservation Service is the effects of prolonged exposure to unclean water. In a severe flood the piqlFilms would likely be fully submerged in very muddy and debris-filled water for hours, even days, the effects of which would be quite different than light short exposure to clean water. Some of the components of the Piql Preservation Services, particularly the Film and the Vault, are vulnerable to prolonged exposure to water. The exact effects have not been sufficiently tested, but we can safely assume that the electronics of the piqlVault system will be severely damaged, perhaps beyond repair, necessitating full replacement, and the piqlFilm, especially the gelatine, will be highly affected. Benefit : This scenario highlights the need to do further testing on the piqlFilm’s endurance in water, specifically unclean water, so that correct measures can be taken to prepare for (almost) inevitable exposure. The scenario is set in the geographical zone South (Southeast Asia). An extreme flood during the rainy season severely damages the Piql Preservation Services. Due to placement of the piqlVault in the basement of an old historical and institutional building, the raging waters quickly fill the entire space and rises to 2 meters above street level. The aging building structure is unable to withstand the pressure, and water seeps. All of the piqlFilms are fully submerged in extremely filthy water for several days, as the severity of the flood prohibits access any earlier than that. Scenario outline

Cause

Type of risk (Hazard/Threat)

Hazard: Prolonged flooding of piqlVault.

Intentional (Yes/No/Both)

No.

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FFI-RAPPORT 16/00707