Chain data logging technology protects

The very latest in chain data logging technology from Renold is helping to protect the gargantuan chain that is deployed on the Dartford Creek Barrier. The barrier is part of London’s flood defence system and works in conjunction with gates at Tilbury Docks and Canvey Island, the King George V Lock gate, the Barking Barrier and the famous Thames Barrier itself. The Dartford Barrier is made up of two towers, each almost 100 feet high that stand aside the Darent tributary river. Between them are sections of barrier that are lowered into place sequentially to form a defensive wall against high tides.

The chain that drives the mechanism on the Dartford Barrier is simply massive. It is over 90 metres in length, weighs in at an incredible 13 tonnes and has a breaking load of a colossal 285 tonnes. This chain is tough, and it has to be, for as well as having to bear huge loads when the enormous sections of barrier are raised and lowered, parts of it have to endure spending significant amounts of time submerged underwater.