Built above anticipated flood levels:
In non-coastal A zones, floor is above BFE using one of these foundation types:
___ slab on compacted fill, extending max. 2 ft. beyond house footprint
___ slab cap on compacted fill within a stem wall foundation
___ unfinished, floodable crawl space with flood vents
___ pile, post, column or pier open foundation; enclosures vented or designed to allow entry and exit of flood water
In V zones and coastal-A zones, lowest horizontal structural member is above BFE with:
___ Continuous pile, open foundation
___ No or minimal obstruction as allowed by local ordinance In areas of minimal risk (Zones C and X) near A or V zone property:
___ Lowest floor is above BFE of nearest flood zone
Additional design features:
___ Decks, porches built and anchored to resist flood forces
___ Garage above BFE or includes flood vents if below BFE
___ Garage floor, patios, etc. min. 4 in. below living floor,
___ HVAC, electrical, mechanical systems elevated above BFE
Additional flood protection features:
___ Backflow valve in sewer line
___ Flood-resistant materials on first floor
___ Appliance styles, installations that minimize damage in shallow floods
___ In areas protected by levees, designs and materials that are submersible, drainable and easily flushed
|
Hurricane and Tornado Resistance |
(See wind design speed map and associated wind resistant building code for specific requirements; checklist below includes general guidelines for hurricane zones.)
General features:
___ House is < 60 ft. long
___ No more than two stories (levels)
___ Wall height of each story is < 10 ft.
___ Exterior cladding (siding, roofing, etc. rated for wind design speed)
___ Reinforced safe room within house
___ Storm storage for outdoor items
___ Outside accessories securely anchored
Walls:
For wood frame construction
___ 2x4 studs spaced 16” o.c., or 2x6 studs spaced 24” o.c.
___ Bottom plates anchored to foundation
___ All load-bearing studs anchored to bottom and top plates with metal hurricane connectors or properly nailed structural sheathing to foundation
___ Upper story anchored to lower story
___ Structural sheathing or inset shearwalls to meet shear load requirements
___ No windows, doors near corners
___ Corner hold-down hardware at ends of each shearwall
For masonry construction
___ Rebar connects foundation to wall (4-ft. spacing typical)
___ Rebar reinforcement full height of walls
___ Vertical rebar reinforcement at corners and both sides of windows, doors
For SIPS, ICF, Shotcrete and other building systems:
___ Engineered for wind speed of local wind zone
Roof, Overhangs and Attachments:
___ Hurricane-rated connection of roof to walls
___ Straps over every rafter/truss (preferable to clips)
___ Roof pitch between 3:12 and 12:12 (< 7:12 preferred)
___ Hip roof design (preferred)
___ Gable roof end walls braced or balloon framed
___ Overhangs < 2 ft. (or engineered, if larger)
___ Roof decking nailed or screwed to rafters (not stapled) at 6” o.c. or to code (ring shank nails preferred)
___ In tornado zone, 5/8-inch plywood roof decking
___ Roof deck seams sealed (with adhesive roof tape or membrane)
___ Min. #30 roofing felt (consider tear-resistant type) or peel-and-stick membrane
___ Wind-rated roofing, properly installed
___ Attic vents protected from wind-driven rain
___ Soffits of rigid material and fastened securely to framing
___ Porch, patio, carport designed, anchored for wind load
___ Columns anchored to foundation and roof beam
Windows and doors:
___ Height < 6’-8”
___ Meet code design pressure ratings (typically > DP 30)
___ Glass protections (plywood panels or certified impact-rated storm shutters, panels, screens, or window/door units)
___ In tornado zone, passive window protection (impact-rated units)
___ Pressure-rated or reinforced garage door
___ Fire-resistant cladding (UL Class A roofing)
___ Fire-resistant materials around fireplace and in kitchen
___ Smoke alarm (combination type, battery powered)
___ Lightning rod and grounding system
___ Residential sprinkler system
___ Planned extinguisher mounting locations
___ Hail-resistant roofing (UL Class 4)
___ All plumbing in heated space or well insulated
___ Pressure relief exterior faucets
___ Pex piping (flexible)