FLOOD RETROFITTING AND RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE SANDY-IMPACTED AREAS

FLOOD RETROFITTING AND RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE SANDY-IMPACTED AREAS

Last month, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it will use the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standard 24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction or its equivalent as the minimum design criteria for all Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funded structure elevation, dry floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction projects in flood hazard areas. ASCE 24-05 establishes minimum requirements for flood-resistant design and construction of structures that are subject to building code requirements and that are located, in whole or in part, in flood hazard areas. The use of the ASCE Standard or its equivalent will allow applicants to better demonstrate the technical feasibility and effectiveness of HMA projects in flood hazard areas and facilitate consistency in implementing HMA funded projects in flood hazard areas. Newer versions of the ASCE Flood Resistant Design and Construction published after 2005 will also be accepted.

FEMA will use this Standard in addition to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements, 44 CFR Part 9 Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands minimization standards, and applicable local and State standards, codes, and/or ordinances for HMA projects in flood hazard areas. Both residential and non-residential structures are subject to the minimum design standards outlined in this policy. For HMA projects that are not subject to this policy, FEMA encourages the use of ASCE 24-05 to the extent practicable.

Fuel Tanks and Critical Building Systems

During Sandy, fuel tanks were crushed by the high volume of water in the subgrade areas. Some tanks broke their anchorage and damaged other building systems within the compartment. The tanks released fuel into the basement areas, which mixed with the seawater and produced fumes that permeated residential and non-residential units.

Following the failure of so many fuel tanks along the shores of New York and New Jersey, the new requirements dictate that fuel tanks located in below-grade spaces should be in dry-floodproofed enclosures per ASCE 24-05, or be able to resist buoyancy, and crushing pressures.

Critical building systems. When possible move mechanical and electrical systems to above the elevation specified by ASCE 24. When elevation is not possible, protect these critical building systems with wet or dry floodproofing.

METROPOLITAN ENGINEERING, CONSULTING & FORENSICS (MECF)

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services

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