WHAT IS A FLOOD BARRIER?

A flood-barrier is a secondary flood-proofing system to be used when the design elevation of the building is below the Base Flood Elevation Base Flood Elevation (BFE): The height of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as specified.. The purpose is to form a watertight seal in front of all building openings in order to prevent floodwaters from penetrating the structure. This system is to be removable and only used at time of storm or flood warning and in conjunction with other flood-proofing design criteria.  These design criteria are to meet or exceed the regulations and loads set forth in both the Army Corps. Of Engineers, Flood Proofing Regulations  (85 page Pdf. File, approx 5Mb) and F.E.M.A.The Federal Emergency Management Agency -- FEMA -- is an independent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President., Flood-proofing Non-Residential Structures FEMA 102 / May 1986.  Flood-barriers should be considered as a last resort in project design, and used only when all other flood proofing designs have been exhausted.

Definitions

Base Flood Elevation:  Base Flood Elevation (BFE):  The height of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as specified.

F.E.M.A: The Federal Emergency Management Agency -- FEMA -- is an independent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President. Since its founding in 1979, FEMA's mission has been clear:
to reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
www.fema.gov