the tubes 28 may have individual inflation valves 31 32 33 with the interior of each tube segregated from the other tubes this provides an extra measure of safety since a puncture in one tube will not allow complete deflation of the pneumatic barrier 12 as mentioned above the tubes may be connected by a conduit for inflating all the tubes through a common inflation valve the valves 31 32 and 33 are one way valves which may be made of polymers the valves as shown in fig5 have a flat valve body 34 bonded about an aperture in the pneumatic tube the valve body has an inlet 35 connecting the interior of the tube with the atmosphere a flap valve 36 closes the inlet 35 and is attached to the valve body forming a hinge 37 the hinge 37 is biased flat or closed and the flap pivots into the interior of the tube so that inflation pressure will hold the valve closed the valve may be opened by a probe to allow deflation when desired other valve may be used such as provided for inflatable footballs soccer balls basketballs or tire valves it is of importance that the material affords sufficient impact protection to meet the regulatory agencies 39 requirements in order for this to be a viable alternative to other hurricane protective mechanisms while stiff structures such as panels of metal are easily tested for impact requirement and have.