FirstEdition FEMA348 November1999 Protecting BuildingUtilities HVAC FromFloodDamage PrinciplesandPracticesfortheDesign andConstructionofFloodResistant BuildingUtilitySystems FUEL ELECTRICAL SEWAGE WATER FEDERALEMERGENCYMANAGEMENTA GENCY MitigationDirectorate 500CStreet,SW Washington,DC20472 IMPORTANT If you ordered and received your copy of Protecting Building Utilites From Flood Damage directly from the FEMA Publications Center, you will automatically receive future updates. If you received your copy of Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage through a source other than directly from the FEMA Publications Center, you must complete the coupon below and mail it to the Center or you will not receive future updates. ............................................................................................................ 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Box 2012 Jessup, MD 20794-2012 Table of Contents CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1 - Introduction/Overview 1.0 Introduction 1-2 1.1 How to Use this Manual 1-3 1.2 Introduction to Hazards 1-8 1.3 Basic Protection Methods 1-13 CHAPTER 2 - Regulatory Framework 2.0 Introduction 2-2 2.1 Background of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 2-2 2.2 Community Floodplain Management Permitting Process 2-5 2.3 NFIP Definitions 2-7 2.4 NFIP Requirements for Existing Buildings 2-10 2.5 NFIP Building Performance Requirements 2-12 2.6 Building Codes 2-14 2.7 National Consensus Standards 2-19 2.8 Health and Sanitary Regulations 2-20 2.9 After the Flood - Guidelines for Building Officials 2-20 CHAPTER 3 - New and Substantially Improved Buildings 3.0 Introduction 3.0-2 Sections 3.1 HVAC Systems 3.1-1 3.2 Fuel Systems 3.2-1 3.3 Electrical Systems 3.3-1 3.4 Sewage Management Systems 3.4-1 3.5 Potable Water Systems 3.5-1 CHAPTER 4 - Existing Buildings 4.0 Introduction 4-2 4.1 Methods of Floodproofing Existing Utility Systems By Retrofitting 4-3 4.2 Field Investigation 4-4 4.3 Retrofitting Scenarios 4-8 Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems November 1999 i Untitled-2 1 5/5/00, 2:57 PM Table of Contents CONTENTS (contd) Page APPENDICES A Bibliography and Sources of Information A-1 B Glossary of Terms B-1 C FEMA Offices C-1 D NFIP State Coordinating Agencies D-1 E Professional Organizations E-1 Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems November 1999 ii Untitled-2 2 5/5/00, 2:57 PM CHAPTER Introduction/Overview 1 CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction 1-2 1.1 How to Use this Manual 1-3 1.1.1 Organization of the Manual 1-3 1.1.2 Use of Icons 1-4 1.1.3 Metrification 1-7 1.2 Introduction to Hazards 1-8 1.2.1 Examples of Flood Damage to Building Support Utility Systems 1-10 1.3 Basic Protection Methods 1-13 1.3.1 Elevation 1-13 1.3.2 Component Protection 1-14 FIGURES Figure 1.2.1A: Electric heat pump dislocated from its shattered wooden stand by velocity flow in a coastal area 1-11 Figure 1.2.1B: Interior fuel oil tank dislocated by buoyancy forces 1-11 Figure 1.2.1C: Electrical control panel damaged by velocity flow in a coastal area 1-12 Figure 1.2.1D: The result of sewage back-up through a toilet during a riverine flooding event 1-12 TABLE Table 1.1.3: Metric conversion factors 1-7 Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems November 1999 1-1 Untitled-3 1 5/5/00, 2:59 PM Introduction/Overview 1.0 Introduction Floodplains are home to nearly 10 million households. In an average year, floods kill 150 people and cause over $3 billion in property damage. Nation- al average annual flood losses continue to increase. A large proportion of flood damage is incurred by components of building utility systems such as furnaces, boilers, air conditioning compressors, air ducts, water supply pipes, septic tanks and sewer pipes, electric and gas The overall objective of meters, control panels, electrical wiring, and gas pipes. Flooding of building this document is to as- sist in the construction utility systems impacts people, communities and businesses in many ways, of buildings with build- some of which are outlined below: ing utility systems that are designed and built Flood inundation can damage equipment leading to costly repair bills. so that the buildings can The force of moving water and floating debris can destroy equipment be re-occupied and ful- leading to costly replacement bills. ly operational as soon as electricity and sewer Inundation of electrical system components such as switches, fuse box- and water are restored es, control panels, and receptacles causes short-circuits, corrosion, and to the neighborhood. possibilities for electrical shock hazards and fires. Inundation of fuel system components such as tanks, pipelines, and gas meters can cause flotation of tanks, corrosion, severance of pipe connec- tions, and rupture of tanks. Floating fuel tanks in flood waters are a fire and debris impact hazard. Floodwater contaminated with fuel oil makes clean-up of flood damaged houses much more difficult and expensive. Flood induced damage to pipes, manholes, septic tanks, service connec- tion pipes, and on-site wells can contaminate wastewater and water sup- ply systems rendering otherwise habitable buildings uninhabitable and can cause hazardous waste to be released into floodwater. Flood induced disruption in business operations can generate productiv- ity declines resulting in substantial economic losses. Despite concentrated efforts of government and the private sector to miti- gate flood hazards, many problems still remain with current practices, in- cluding methods of design and construction of building utilities. For that reason, this guide was prepared to illustrate the design and construction of building utility systems for residential and non-residential structures located in flood-prone areas in order to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain management requirements. Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems November 1999 1-2 Untitled-3 2 5/5/00, 2:59 PM Introduction/Overview The intended users of this manual are developers, architects, engineers, build- ers, code officials and homeowners who are involved in designing and con- structing building utility systems for residential and non-residential struc- tures. This manual discusses flood protective design and construction of utility systems for new buildings and modifications to utility systems in ex- isting buildings. 1.1 How to Use this Manual 1.1.1 Organization of the Manual This manual is organized into four main chapters as follows: CHAPTER 1 - Introduction/Overview Introductory discussion of the background, goal, intended users, and New and substantially organization of the manual improved structures must meet the mini- Effects of flood hazards on building support utility systems mum requirements of the NFIP contained in Introduction to the methods of floodproofing building support utility the local building code systems and floodplain manage- ment regulations. Sub- CHAPTER 2 - Regulatory Framework stantially improved buildings include those Background of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that have been substan- Discussion of community regulations and the permitting process tially damaged. See your building official NFIP floodplain management definitions or floodplain adminis- ter for more informa- NFIP requirements for new and existing buildings tion. Chapter 3 of this Model Building Codes manual provides guid- ance on how to meet the Code compatibility with the NFIP requirements for build- Discussion of health and sanitary regulations ing utility systems in new and substantially CHAPTER 3 - New and Substantially Improved Buildings improved buildings. Chapter 4 provides This chapter covers both new and substantially improved buildings, as de- guidance on additional fined by the NFIP. Substantially improved buildings are those that have been ways to protect build- ing utility systems in improved to an amount equal to 50% of their market value. Refer to Chapter existing buildings that 2 and Appendix B, Glossary of Terms, for the definition of the term substan- have not been substan- tially damaged. tially improved. Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems November 1999 1-3 Untitled-3 3 5/5/00, 2:59 PM Introduction/Overview Introduction to floodproofing utility systems in new and substantially improved buildings Discussion of systems, hazards, methods of protection and recommended flood protection practices for: - Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems - Fuel Systems - Electrical Systems - Sewage Management Systems - Potable (drinking) Water Systems CHAPTER 4 - Existing Buildings This chapter provides guidance on floodproofing building support utility systems for existing structures that have not been substantially damaged or improved. Discussion of methods of retrofitting various types of systems: - Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems - Fuel Systems - Electrical Systems - Sewage Management Systems - Potable (drinking) Water Systems 1.1.2 Use of Icons The following