Field Inspections
Floodplain Determination
Posted Permit and Signoff Card
Permit
Types of Flood Proofing Elevation of grade Flood walls and Levees Dry Flood Proofing Wet Flood Proofing
FEMA NFIP Regulation; CFR part 60 CFR 60.3 (A) 3 (3) Review all permit applications to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding. If a proposed building site is in a flood-prone area, all new construction and substantial improvements shall (i) be designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, (ii) be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage, (iii) be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damages, and (iv) be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
Elevation of Grade Bring in fill to elevate structure above the BFE. This is the easiest for inspections because there is nothing additional to verify after construction elevation for slab is received.
Flood Walls and Levees Flood Wall Levee
Flood Wall Construction These plans should be engineered. Therefore the inspection will consist of verifying: Footing dimensions Reinforcement size Clearances are maintained Plan design is followed
Levee Construction Inspections will be essentially the same as a flood wall, some are even designed to work together.
Flood Walls and Levees Both are designed essentially so that the protected structure can be built as a normal structure would be.
Dry flood Proofing The structure will be designed to be water impermeable below the BFE Which types of structures are allowed to be flood proofed?
Non-Residential Buildings ONLY
Dry Flood Proofing Construction These plans should be engineered. Inspections should consist of verifying that: Plan details are followed Correct materials are used and installed properly.
Referenced Code Sections CFR 60.3 (C) 3 & 4 (3) Require that all new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential structures within Zones A1-30, AE and AH zones on the community's firm (i) have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood level or, (ii) together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy (4) Provide that where a non-residential structure is intended to be made watertight below the base flood level, (i) a registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the applicable provisions of paragraph (c)(3)(ii) or (c)(8)(ii) of this section, and (ii) a record of such certificates which includes the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which such structures are floodproofed shall be maintained with the official designated by the community under? 59.22(a)(9)(iii) IBC Chapter 16; Section 1619; Titled Flood Loads
Wet Flood Proofing Seriously!!! It s all about management The management of the flow of water through a structure without the structure incurring any significant damage.
Crawlspaces Elements to inspect: Top of floor (stem-wall) elevation Flood vents 1 sqin per 1 sqft Bottom within 12 of adjacent grade Installed on opposite or adjacent walls Smart vents Certified by a registered Design Professional Equipment elevations Mechanical equipment Electrical components Plumbing systems
Referenced Code Sections CFR 60.3 (C) 2 & 5 (2) Require that all new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures within Zones A1-30, AE and AH zones on the community's FIRM have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood level, unless the community is granted an exception by the Federal Insurance Administrator for the allowance of basements in accordance with? 60.6 (b) or (c) (5) Require, for all new construction and substantial improvements, that fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. IRC Chapter 3; Section 324; Titled Flood-Resistant Construction
Pier Construction Inspections should follow building requirement of the ICC, unless the structure is located where other dynamic forces would require a DP.
Break Away Walls Elements to inspect: No MEP components are incorporated into wall Ensure fastener s loading resistance is between 10 and 20 lbs per sqft. If other dynamic forces are present then a DP will be required.
Wood Construction Requirements will remain the same as crawlspaces and pier construction. Additionally, all materials used must be classified type 4 or 5 flood-resistant Materials.
Flood-Resistant FEMA defines flood-resistant as A flood-resistant material is defined as any building material capable of withstanding direct and prolonged contact with floodwaters without sustaining significant damage. The term prolonged contact means at least 72 hours, and the term significant damage means any damage requiring more than low-cost cosmetic repair (such as painting). IRC; Section R324.1.7 Flood-Resistant Materials Building materials used below the design flood elevation shall comply with the following: 1. All wood, including floor sheathing, shall be pressure-preservative-treated in accordance with AWPA U1 for the species, product, preservative and end use or be the decay-resistant heartwood of redwood, black locust or cedars. Preservatives shall be listed in Section 4 of AWPA U1. 2. Materials and installation methods used for flooring and interior and exterior walls and wall coverings shall conform to the provisions of FEMA/FIA-TB
FEMA Technical Bulletin 2-93
The difference between good and poor field inspections