HOW HIGH DO I HAVE TO FLOOD PROOF THE STRUCTURE?


The minimum requirement is to flood proof to 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.. This is the minimum that is required by FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency -- FEMA -- is an independent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President. , but is will also give the minimum discount on the flood insurance policy.

It is recommended that all structures be flood proofed to 1 foot about the base flood elevation. This area of freeboard A factor of safety expressed in feet above a design flood level for flood protective or control works. Freeboard is intended to allow for all of the uncertainties in analysis, design and construction, which cannot be fully or readily considered in an analytical fashion. gives the maximum deduction available on the flood insurance policy.

It is the decision of the design professional and the client as to what elevation to design to, taking in to consideration both the engineering and fiscal limitations.

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.

FEMA: 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.
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Freeboard:  A factor of safety expressed in feet above a design flood level for flood protective or control works. Freeboard is intended to allow for all of the uncertainties in analysis, design and construction, which cannot be fully or readily considered in an analytical fashion.