Design Manual For Retrofitting Flood Prone Residential Structures

Improvements in construction practices and reg's. have made new homes less prone to flood damage. But, a significant number of existing homes continue to be susceptible to repetitive flood losses. However, there are numerous examples that illustrate practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating the risk of a house being flooded again. This report explains methods for retrofitting a house to protect against floods. Chapters: intro. to retrofitting (RF); consid. for RF; elevation; relocation; levees; floodwalls; closures; sealants; protection of utilities; choosing a method; a guide to selecting architectural/engineering services and contractors; the Nat. Flood Insur. Prog.; forces: hydrostatic loads, hydrodynamic loads, impact loads, and wind loads. Photos.

This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas prudently. Contents: Environmental and Regulatory Factors Site Analysis and Design Architectural Design Examples Design and Construction Guidelines Cost Analysis Resource Materials

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to help protect their homes from flooding. As a homeowner, you need clear information about the options available to you and straightforward guidance that will help you make decisions. This guide gives you both, in a form designed for readers who have little or no experience with flood protection methods or building construction techniques. This guide includes the updates to the residential flood protection methods and reflected changes made to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Homeowners and community property managers located in flood zones, lowlands, and lands vulnerable to flooding following heavy rains may be most interested in this guide that offers practical tips and options to protect your residence. Related products: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/064-000-00055-1 Divine Providence is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-022-00364-9 Resources about Floods can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/environment-nature/natural-environmental-disasters/floods Water management resources collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/environment-nature/water-management

The material in this manual has been compiled from an independent study course by FEMA. Time Vendor LLC, the members of which are disaster preparedness volunteers, recognizes both the importance of flood mitigation and that some people may not have enough time to take an online course at FEMA. Course questions and summaries have been edited out so as to keep this manual concise for use around the home. These materials provide the user with an overall understanding of retrofitting and begin the process of a general evaluation of retrofitting alternatives that might be feasible for a given property. Chapter I, Introduction to Retrofitting, gives a brief overview of the various retrofitting alternatives and the general retrofitting process. Chapter II, Regulatory Framework, discusses the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) community regula¬tions and the permitting process, model building codes, and code capability with the NFIP. Chapter III, Parameters of Retrofitting, discusses factors that influence retrofitting deci-sions, including homeowners preferences, regulations and permitting, and technical parameters, including homeowners preferences, regulations and permitting, and technical parameters.