Design Flood Elevation

In inland areas, experience has shown that floods damage areas of buildings not elevated above the flood level and destroy contents of those areas. In coastal areas, wave action causes even more damage, often destroying enclosed building areas below the flood level (and any building areas above the flood level that depend on the lower area for structural support). Once waves rise above the lowest structural member, the elevated portion of the building is likely to be severely damaged or destroyed. For this reason it’s recommended to exceed the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) minimum elevation requirements. Setting the lowest floor at the correct elevation is critical. Failure to do so can result in a building being constructed below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). As a result, work can be stopped, certificates of occupancy can be withheld, and correcting the problem can be expensive and time-consuming.

The NFIP requires participating communities to adopt a floodplain management ordinance that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement is that communities obtain, and maintain a record of, the lowest floor elevations for all new and substantially improved buildings. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for a community to comply with this requirement and for insurers to determine flood insurance premiums.

Accent Builders works closely with the project surveyor, engineer and architect to ensure that there are no violations that will result in costly setbacks or higher insurance premiums.

To learn more, contact us about the design and construction of your coastal home.