47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

agency is required to minimize the adverse effects on the floodplainand the funded activity.Having identified the impacts of the proposed action and themethods to minimize these impacts, the Federal agency is requiredto re-evaluate the proposed action. The re-evaluation mustconsider whether the action is still feasible, whether the action canbe modified to relocate the facility or eliminate or reduce identifiedimpacts, or if a “no action” alternative should be chosen. Ifthe finding results in a determination that there is no practicablealternative to locating a critical facility in the floodplain, or otherwiseaffecting the floodplain, then a statement of findings and apublic explanation must be provided.2.1.3.4 Scope of Model Building Codes andStandardsThe International Building Code (IBC, 2003) and the Building Constructionand Safety Code (NFPA 5000, 2003) were the first modelcodes to include comprehensive provisions that address flood hazards.Both codes are consistent with the minimum provisions ofthe NFIP that pertain to the design and construction of buildings.The NFIP requirements that pertain to site development,floodways, coastal setback lines, erosion-prone areas, and other environmentalconstraints are found in other local ordinances. Thecodes require designers to identify and design for anticipated environmentalloads and load combinations, including wind, seismic,snow, and flood loads, as well as the soil conditions.The IBC and NFPA 5000 incorporate by reference a number of standardsthat are developed through a rigorous consensus process. Thebest known is Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures(ASCE 7-05). The model building codes require that applicableloads be accounted for in the design. The 1998 edition of ASCE 7was the first version of the standard to include flood loads explicitly,including hydrostatic loads, hydrodynamic loads (velocity andwaves), and debris impact loads.The IBC and NFPA 5000 also incorporate by reference a standardthat was first published by ASCE in 1998 and revised in2005, Flood Resistant Design and Construction (ASCE/SEI 24-05).2-34 MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM Flooding