LIFE HACKS: AN EARLY FLOOD LEVEL INDICATOR AT HOME

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Floods are the most frequent type of disaster worldwide. It can strike anywhere

and anytime. Although floods can be predicted, they often cause massive damage and

destruction of property as most urban communities are located near water sources such

as coasts and rivers. Our country has two kinds of seasons. There are dry season and

rainy season. The rainy season might destroy human lives and things that are valuable

to us. It happens when the water level increase to the danger level under controlled.

Flood often occurs in Candaba, Pampanga. We heard about flood from

television, newspaper, radio and many more where this disaster causes a lot of damage

in terms of property and life. This loss can be reduced and avoided if the first move was

made before it happened. There are many factors that causing the flood. The factors can

be divided into two categories, natural phenomena and human activities. These causes

the disasters which later on may harm, if not, kill people especially if they are unaware of

it beforehand. Bongolan et al. (2010) stated that 80% of Metro Manila was covered in

waters during rainy seasons.

Flood forecasting and warning is a prerequisite for successful mitigation of flood

damage. Also, preventive measures should be taken to reduce possible adverse effects

of floods on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, such as water and soil pollution. Its

effectiveness depends on the level of preparedness and correct response. The

responsible authorities should provide timely and reliable flood warning, flood forecasting

and information (The Association of State Floodplain Managers, 2003).

Flood level indicators are often used by people in detecting the level of water

during rainy seasons. Most of the flood indicators available in the market commend high

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price and complex usage. To address such problem with the lack of early warning

indicator for floods in the community particularly at homes, this study is conducted to

create a flood level indicator using improvised materials usually found at home , that is

cheaper and effective compared to the commercially introduced ones.

Review of Related Literature

According to PAGASA or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and

Astronomical Services Administration (2013), flood is an abnormal progressive rise in

the water level of a stream that may result in the overflowing by the water of the normal

confines of the stream with the subsequent inundation of areas which are not normally

submerged. The sequence described all takes place within a certain period of time.

Flood Alarm Systems or Flood Warning Systems (FWS) have been introduced in

many countries to minimize life and chattel losses by warning people in flood prone

areas to evacuate and protect their property based with Robert Goodwin 2012 on “An

Appropriate Flood Warning System in the Context of Developing Countries” Aside from

this, the International Conference on Computational Science (2011), on Flood early

warning system: design, implementation and computational modules, said that recent

catastrophic floods around the world have spawn a large number of projects aimed at

the development of stronger and "smarter" flood protection systems. Many projects,

among which are FLOODsite, Flood Control (2015), International Levee Handbook,

attempt to solve some of the flood control problems. One of the most challenging

problems is the design of Early Warning Systems (EWS) for flood prevention and

disaster management.

On The Effectiveness of Early Warning System by Saidamin Bagolong (2015), he

suggested that in order the early flood alarming system and contingency plans to be

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effective, the local government shall strengthen the people’s capability on fresh outlook,

flood warning, rescue facilities, rescue team and the evacuation center. In the

Philippines, 20 Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) were installed in flood-prone

areas in Palawan. These devices were automatic water level sensors that enable people

to prepare and react quickly and effectively during flood by giving them a loud alert when

a specific level of water is reached based with Baham Mitra (2013) of “Design Of Flood

Detection System With Automatic Branch Circuit Cut-Off Capabilities And Sms-Based

Warning Transmitter”

Flood level indicators are often used by people in detecting the level of water

during rainy seasons. Most of the flood alarms available in the market commend high

price and complex usage. To address such problem with the lack of early warning

indicator for floods in the community particularly for those persons with disabilities, this

study is conducted to create a scrap-made flood level indicator that is cheaper and

effective compared to the commercially introduced ones.

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Statement of the Problem

After conducting this study, it is expected that an early warning device that can

detect increase in flood water level rise will be developed.

Specifically, it answered the following queries:

1. How effective is the flood alarming device which is made with improvised

materials?

2. What is the difference of having a flood level indicator rather than not having it?

3. What is the result when you use the flood level indicator?

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Conceptual Framework

The figure illustrates the input-output process of this research study.

Input Process Output

Water level Construction of the

device
Life Hacks: An Early
Flood Level Indicator
Rate of Increase of at Home
Water Level Test the functionality
of the device

Figure 1: The input was consisted of the water level and rate of increase of water

level. The process undertaken was the construction and the functionality of the device to

develop and make an early warning flood level indicator.

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Research Hypothesis

Ha - There is significant and positive effect in terms of giving an early alarm using the

improvised materials-made flood level indicator.

Ha – There is no significant and results negative effect in terms of giving an early

alarm using the improvised materials-made flood level indicator.

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Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally for the readers to understand the

unfamiliar terms used in the study:

Aquatic ecosystem. In an aquatic ecosystem, that environment is water, and all the

system’s plants and animals live either in or on that water. 

Ecosystem. Collection of communities of both living and non-living things that are

interrelated.

Flood. An overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially

over what is normally dry land.

Innovation. A new thing or a new method of doing something. An example are flood

alarming devices.

Terrestrial ecosystem.  Living and non-living things that are found only on land.

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Scope and Limitation

This research study focused on the construction of a flood level alarming

indicator.

The researchers experiment was only limited in the construction of flood level

indicator using improvised materials. The design “Life Hacks: An Early Flood Level

Indicator at Home” is proposed to make a flood alarming device for those who

experience flooding in their areas. The sound and light produced by the device in the

study is only limited to its maximum range when tested. Thus, this research relies only to

the responds of the respondents and to the data and information collected from reliable

sources.

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Importance of the Study

This study may prove to be useful to the following groups of individuals.

 It signifies the importance of this experiment in the society of how useful it is and

it can play an important role when rainy seasons.

 It would be a good benefit to those persons who live on flood prone areas.

 Help warn people of an incoming flood.

 The local government upon achieving the actual output of this innovation, it

would be easier for the authorities to monitor and disseminate information to the

locals.

 To the future researchers, to give them enough details and information about this

study and give them background information that would serve a reference to

them.

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CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

The methodology of the study is an important requirement for any kind of

systematic study like this experimental research. This chapter attempt to explain the

research design or the methodology followed in this research work.

Research Design

The researchers conducted an experimental where a flood level indicator device

was being created and to prove that it is more effective to use.

The researchers used experimental method to validate and factualize how the

flood level indicator was such useful and effective because this method aimed to be

materialized in order to see how well something worked.

Respondents

The researchers came up to have 10 respondents coming from flood prone areas

to evaluate if the flood level indicator was effective. Each of them used and observed it

and some questions was given and asked by the researchers: Is the solution flood level

indicator made from scrap materials effective; their opinions about the presented flood

level indicator device; and what is the difference of having a flood level indicator rather

than having nothing. This was to determine if they were satisfied or not and if the device

was effective or not.

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Sampling Method

The method of purposive sampling was used to develop the sample of the

research under discussion. According to this method, which belongs to the category of

non-probability sampling techniques, sample members are selected on the basis of their

knowledge, relationships and expertise regarding a research subject (Freedman et al.,

2007).

In the current study, the sample members who were selected had special

relationship with the device under investigation. The researchers believe that they were

capable of giving information and they have good background and knowledge about the

topic. Purposive sampling is an acceptable kind of sampling for special situations. It uses

the judgment of an expert in selecting cases or it selects cases with a specific purpose in

mind particularly in this research study where a flood alarming device was constructed

for those people who lived on flood prone areas.

Instrument

The researcher designed an interview schedule as one of the data collection

instrument for this study. Interviewing is a way to collect data as well as to gain

knowledge from individuals. Kvale (1996, p. 14) regarded interviews as “ … an

interchange of views between two or more people on a topic of mutual interest, sees the

centrality of human interaction for knowledge production, and emphasizes the social

situatedness of research data.” The respondents are the primary data for the study.

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A questionnaire designed by the researchers was also used in the study. The

content of the instrument was based on the findings of the interview conducted with the

respondents.

Data Collection

As far as data collection tools were concerned, the conduction of the research

involved the use of questionnaire, which was used as an interview guide for the

researcher. Some certain questions were prepared, so as for the researcher to guide the

interview towards the satisfaction of research objective.

The researchers worked closely with a representative of their personal made

flood level indicator device which are being presented and used by the respondents with

the aid of this experiment. The sample device was able to try and used by the

respondents and the researchers were able to ask them some questions and their

feedback about the device presented and used by them.

Data Analysis

On the other hand, the researchers used tabulation of data for easy classification

and distribution of the results. To collate them, a graph would be used called table. The

table served as the data analysis of this chapter that shows the results which are

according to the respondents who were being asked.

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CHAPTER III

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results section of this study details the findings of the research. The researchers

came up to have an interview to the respondents and it answers the following questions:

 Is the flood level indicator device which is made from improvised-materials

effective?

 Why do you think the device is effective/or not effective?

 What is the difference of having this device at home rather than not having it?

 What can you say about the flood level indicator device?

To summarize the results, the researchers used data tabulation to present the data

that was being collected and to understand the results easily.

There was 100-30 below rates to be response in terms of the answers and

feedbacks of the respondents in the presented flood level indicator device.

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Respondent 100%- 89%- 79%- 69%- 49%- 39%- Below

No. 90% 80% 70% 50% 40% 30% 30%

10

Rate (%) The Effectiveness of the Early Flood Level Indicator Device

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From the interview, the flood level indicator device which was made from improvised

materials resulted into a useful and beneficial one. The experimental result does not

differ from what the interviewee and researchers notice. Most of the respondents were

the same of feedbacks from the given interviewee answer sheet.

According to the respondents, during the experiment and testing, there were no

records of error. Every researcher also tried it and the result were almost the same

according to what was being asked to them.

Most of them agreed for the effectiveness of the flood level indicator device as an

early flood alarming device. It was tested by means of placing the tube of the flood level

indicator device which is responsible of sensing the water that serves as the alternative

factor for the device to function because of the absence of flood water. As there was an

application of water level, the plastic cups wrapped with aluminum foil will triggered as it

reaches the another plastic cups wrapped with aluminum foil which resulted for it to

buzzer and light will be produced which indicates that the flood level water was already

at the first level/stage. The process will be repeated until the last level/stage

The results were closed to each other and doesn’t exceed from the half of 100%

effectiveness rating. In the data table, Rate (%) of Effectiveness of the Early Flood Level

Indicator Device the respondent 1 and 5 assumed of 95% effectivity of the device while

respondent 2 and 4 assumed 98% of effectivity of the flood level indicator device. And

the rest six (6) respondents rate the effectivity from 90% to 70%.

If you have been affected by flooding you will know how devastating the effects are.

Flood waters have the ability to destroy homes and communities, wash away your

treasured possessions and wreak your life. In contrasting the results, most of the

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respondents concluded that the device was effective even though it was made of

improvised materials which they can create by themselves as well.

The respondents stated that because of the design of the representation of the

model which made it more effective. The respondents were able to distinguished the

difference between having an early flood level indicator than not having it at their homes.

It will be more beneficial for them to have this device which will used especially they

were located on flood prone areas, like San Agustin, Candaba, Pampanga. Some

respondents also suggested that it will be more effective and useful if the device will be

developed and increased in terms of the length of the levels the tube of the flood level

indicator device was.

The respondents claimed that the sudden occurrence of flood in their area will be

noticeable because of the early flood level indicator device. They were able to be

alarmed earlier, especially at night where they were asleep. Another is that, they

commend the concept of the research study and it was responsible of giving them an

early warning. It means that they were satisfied by the device presented to them.

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CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter will provide a summary of the purpose, methodology, and results of

this study. Then, conclusions will be discussed based on researchers insights gained

regarding study findings and limitations. In addition, recommendations are presented.

The purpose of this study was to create and develop a flood level indicator

device which was made from improvised materials. This research study began with a

brief discussion of what was flood and flooding.

A review of the literature related to flooding revealed repeated requests for more

research on the need for. The literature review also provided insights into the reasons for

the impact of flooding up to the application of technology in making and developing early

flood systems. In line with this, the study focused in creating an early flood level indicator

which can be easily made at home.

The methodology of this investigation was that of a field study design. Variables

were not manipulated; instead, existing variables and interventions were investigated.

Three research questions guided the study:

1. How effective is the flood alarming device which is made with improvised

materials?

2. What is the difference of having a flood level indicator rather than not having it?

3. What is the result when you use the flood level indicator?

The first question is to know the effectiveness of the flood level indicator

device made with improvised materials, the second one is to determine the difference of

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having it than nothing. The third question is to know what will be the insights, opinions

and suggestions of the respondents based on the device presented to them.

Based on the result and findings, the researchers conclude that:

1. It is obvious that technology is an essential part of today’s era. An example of

application of this was an early warning device that can detect increase in flood

water level was created using the creative and analytically mind. Based on the

results, it was obvious that the respondents were satisfied on the capability of the

flood level indicator device which is made from improvised materials to sense the

increase of flood level water resulting it to buzzer and to produce light.

2. Considering the presence of flood warning systems nowadays, there were still

disadvantages. In this study, the researchers introduced a flood level indicator

device which was cheaper but useful as well compared to the commercially

introduced ones that were expensive and the need of complex understanding

and usage was important. In the results, it was more useful and effective of

having the device in the house especially those who were experiencing flooding

oftentimes. The device will help them alarm and notice the increase of flood

water level easily for them to prepare and be safe.

3. An early flood level indicator device was created and tested. Based on the

results, the respondents suggest that it will be more helpful and productive if

there will be increase in the tube length of the device. But generally, the outcome

of the device was fruitful and functional even it was only made from improvised

materials.

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The researchers conducted that this study is effective as an early flood level indicator

device and they recommend this to every readers and who would appreciate this study.

Here are some applicable recommendations:

 To those people who always experiencing flooding and living on flood prone

areas, it would be an effective way to make their own flood level indicator device

that will help them alarm easily when there will be sudden occurrence of flood.

 It is recommended to develop and create a flood level indicator device that was

capable of detecting the increase of flood water level in higher tube’s altitude so

that as there was an increase in rise of flood water level, the people will still ware.

 The officials of the community should collaborate and tell the people in the

community on how it is important to be prepared always and by means of

recommending to have this device in every household, it will lessen the worry of

people and the chances of damage, harm and even lost of life during floods.

 Improvement of early flood level indicator device by means of resourcefulness

and creative mind of people which is effective and beneficial to everyone who

were experiencing frequent flooding in their areas.

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