47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

Figure 2-16:Scour around thefoundation of this buildingcontributed to significantdamage.2.2.2.3 Nonstructural DamageMany flood-prone buildings are exposed to floodwaters that arenot fast moving, or that may be relatively shallow and not resultin structural damage. Simple inundation and saturation of thebuilding and finish materials can result in significant and costlynonstructural damage, including long-term health complicationsassociated with mold. Floodwaters often are contaminatedwith chemicals, petroleum products, or sewage. Under such circumstances,recovery generally involves removal of nonstructuralmaterials and finishes because cleanup and decontamination is expensiveand time-consuming. Damage to contents is discussed inSection 2.2.2.5.Nonstructural damage can vary as a function of the duration ofwater exposure. Some materials are not recoverable even aftervery brief inundation, while others remain serviceable if in contactwith water for only a few hours. Use of water-resistant materialswill help to minimize nonstructural damage caused by saturationand reduce the costs of cleanup and restoration to service (seeFlood-Resistant Materials Requirements, FIA-TB-2).Wall finishes: Painted concrete and concrete masonry walls usuallyresist water damage, provided the type of paint can be readilycleaned, such as high strength epoxy paints. Tiled walls may be2-46 MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM Flooding