Hawaii Nfip

FEMA's Elevation Certificate Frequently Asked Questions

Is color photographs a requirement? Can black and white photos be submitted with the new Elevation Certificate?

A photograph is required for insurance rating. A color photo is preferred since these photos generally are scanned for the WYO Company by the agent.

Define "Carport". How many walls does a carport have? And would it be defined as a building?

There are many variations of carport designs. It could have one or two rigid walls. The "walls" could be made of just latticework, etc. For insurance rating purposes, a building is defined as a structure with two or more rigid walls and a fully secured roof that is affixed to a permanent site. So a carport could be defined as a building if it met this definition for insurance rating.

For VE-zone construction, would "plywood gussets" affect the determination of the lowest horizontal structural member elevation?

No.

What building diagram would be used for this type of building design?

Diagram 5.

Where are the Reference Marks on/in the FIRM and FIS?

Reference Marks (RM) are no longer published on the new FIRMs and FIS. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) publishes PIDs or Permanent Identifiers for their Control Points and we replaced Reference Marks on the FIRM with these since they are maintained by NGS.

Who provides the certification for utilities being flood resistant?

There is no certification requirement for utilities being flood resistant.

What is considered a "plumbing fixture"? Are Lavs or Toilets considered a plumbing fixture that needs to be surveyed?

Lavatories and toilets do not need to be surveyed.

If an electrical meter is floodproofed, do you still need to survey it?

No.

What is considered machinery equipment? Does a washer and dryer constitute as machinery equipment that needs to be surveyed? Or is it just hard-wired appliances that are required to be surveyed?

For insurance rating purposes, the elevation of at least one of the following machinery and equipment items needs to be surveyed:

elevators and their associated equipment,
furnaces,
hot water heaters,
heat pumps, and
air conditioners.

Local floodplain management officials are required to ensure that all machinery and equipment servicing the building are protected from flooding. Thus, local officials may require that elevation information for all machinery and equipment, including ductwork, be documented on the Elevation Certificate.

Would the use of wooden slats create an enclosure below the lowest floor?

The NFIP views wooden slats as latticework. To find out more information about how FEMA treats the use of wooden slats for insurance rating purposes, read FEMA's memorandum W-04018 here.

Would the use of GFI outlets be considered as being satisfactorily floodproofed?

GFIs are generally used in "wet" locations per the electrical code. We would accept their use below the BFE.

Is there a limit to the amount of square footage of storage below the lowest floor in V zones?

For floodplain management purposes there is no limit on the square footage of storage below the lowest floor in V zones. However, for insurance rating, if the space below the elevated floor has an area of 300 square feet or more, insurance rates will be higher.

Are small accessory structures in V zones allowed to be constructed at grade? What, if any, are the requirements for this type of construction?

Unless properly elevated on piles or columns in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3(e)(4), accessory buildings in V zones must be limited to low-value or small structures such as a small metal or wooden shed that is disposable. See Technical Bulletin 5-93 Free of Obstruction Requirements for further guidance.

On a post and pier structure within an A zone, how much enclosure can be put in without having to provide vents?

Any enclosure below the lowest floor of a structure must have openings.

Instead of clear openings for vents, can thin glass be used? Presuming they break under pressure? If allowed, how would you calculate the next opening for the vents?

Openings must permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. A glass covering does not allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. In slow moving floodwaters, there is no guarantee that the glass would break away in time; therefore, its use is discouraged.