47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

m Replace interior walls that have cavities with flood-resistantconstruction or removable panels to facilitate cleanup anddrying.m Abandon the use of below-grade areas (basements) by fillingthem in to prevent structural damage.m Permanently relocate high-value or sensitive functions thatare often found on the ground floor of critical facilities (e.g.,offices, records, libraries, and computer laboratories) tohigher floors or elevated additions.m Install backflow devices in sewer lines.m Pre-plan actions to move high-value contents from the lowerfloors to higher floors when a flood warning is issued.m Replace wall, flooring, and finish materials with flood-resistantmaterials.m Use epoxy or other impervious paints on concrete and otherpermeable surfaces to minimize contamination.m Install separate electric circuits and ground fault interruptercircuit breakers in areas that will flood. Emergency measuresshould be provided so that electrical service can be shut downto avoid electrocution hazards.m Relocate chemicals to storage areas not subject to flooding.2.4.9 EMERGENCY MEASURESEmergency response to flooding is outside the scope of thismanual. However, it is appropriate to examine feasible emergencymeasures that may provide some protection. The following discussionpertains only to emergency measures that have been used toreduce flood damage to older buildings that are already locatedin flood hazard areas. These measures do not achieve compliancewith building and life safety codes, they may not provide protectionto occupants, and they can experience a high frequency offailure depending on human factors related to deployment.2-88 MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM Flooding