Elevation Certificate and LOMA Workshop

The National Flood Insurance Program: The New Elevation Certificate Sponsored b CASFM CRS Committee S d by: C itt April 30, 2009 Tom Birney – Michael Baker Jr., Inc. Workshop Overview Flood Map Modernization Basic Definitions Overview of the Elevation Certificate Discussion of the changes made to the Elevation Certificate Background information on Letters of Map Change (LOMC) Discussion on how the Elevation Certificate is used for Letters of Map Change (LOMC) Definitions Flood Map Modernization SFHA - Special Flood Hazard Area: The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year BFE – Base Flood Elevation: The elevation of the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year LOMC - Letter of Map Change: An amendment or revision through the MT-1 or MT-2 process LAG - Lowest Adjacent Grade: The elevation of the lowest ground touching the structure’s foundation • ****Elevation of ground, sidewalk, patio, or deck support immediately next to building**** Definitions Continued Flood Map Modernization Fill: Defined as material from any source placed to raise the ground to or above the BFE. • The common construction practice of removing unsuitable existing material (topsoil) and backfilling with select structural i i i ( i) fi i i material is not considered the placement of fill if the practice does not alter the existing (natural grade) elevation. • Fill that is placed before the date of the first NFIP map showing the area in a SFHA is considered natural grade. Check with the Community Status Book to determine when the community entered the NFIP. FIRM Flood Map Modernization What is the Elevation Certificate Used For? Flood Map Modernization The Elevation Certificate is an administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to: • Ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances • To determine the property insurance premium rate • To support Letter of Map Change (LOMC) requests Use of this certificate does not provide a waiver of the flood insurance purchase requirement Only a LOMC can issue a determination document that removes the Federal mandate for a lending institution to require the purchase of flood insurance The New Elevation Certificate Flood Map Modernization What’s Different? Flood Map Modernization In Section A, items A8 d and A9.d are added A A8.d A9 d • Asks: Engineered flood openings? In Section C, C2.h is added • Asks: Lowest adjacent grade at lowest elevation of deck or stairs, including structural support In Section D, question asks about Lat/Long Instructions have been revised, clarified and expanded Two new Building Diagrams have been added Section A Flood Map Modernization •Elevation Certificate Expires March 31, 2012 •FEMA h permitted a 12 month transition period b i i A il 1, 2009 FEMA has i d h ii i d beginning April 1 •Section A identifies the building, its location, owner and general characteristics •Address, owner, Lat/Long, building diagram Technical Bulletin 1-93 Flood Map Modernization It should be noted that Technical Bulletins provide guidance on the minimum requirements of the NFIP regulations. Community or State requirements that exceed the NFIP take precedence All applicable precedence. standards of the State or local building code must also be met for any building in a flood hazard area. Example of Engineered Openings Certificate Flood Map Modernization Section B Flood Map Modernization •Section B identifies panel information and Base Flood Elevation • FIRM panel number, date, flood zone • Section B9 is the field for BFE with B10 showing source of BFE • Section B11 is vertical datum of field B9 only •This does not pertain to the vertical datum used in Section C •The vertical datum for the elevations within Section C must be reported within Section C2 p How to Determine Panel Info and Base Flood Information The Map Service Center Website (MSC) • www.msc.fema.gov Flood Map Modernization Google Earth and the National Flood Hazard Layer FEMA Mapping Information Platform • www.hazards.fema.gov National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Products and Services 1. 1 NFHL GIS Data D t 2. FEMA MSC Site 3. Utility files for viewing the NFHL WMS with Google Earth™ 4. MapViewer – Web and related reports Flood Map Modernization 1 Map Service Center: MSC Site Flood Map Modernization Provides two search options • Product Search By field p • Map Search MSC will also list current and historic FIRMs, Flood Insurance Study, LOMCs, and more Site address: www.msc.fema.gov Flood Map Modernization Google Earth Flood Map Modernization Google Earth • The FEMA NFHL utility allows use of Google Earth to view custom combinations of flood hazard information. NFHL includes: flood zones, floodways, BFE lines, cross sections, LOMC, FIRM boundaries, panel number, etc. https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/wps/portal/NFHLWMSkmzdo g wnload Flood Map Modernization FEMA Mapping Information Platform: MIP Flood Map Modernization Interactive to allow layers to be changed • Flood zones, BFE, cross sections, bench marks, topo maps, aerial Displays LOMCs • Hyper link to the pdf of the document Site: www.hazards.fema.gov Flood Map Modernization Section C Flood Map Modernization •Section C1.: Building elevations •If the Elevation Certificate is used to support a LOMC (LOMA or LOMR-F), elevations must be based on Finished Construction •See * stating a new Elevation Certificate will be required when construction is complete •A new Elevation Certificate is required, not a letter from the engineer or surveyor stating that the elevations A l i C ifi i i d l f h i i h h l i did not change •Finished Construction is when all machinery and/or equipment have been installed and the grading around the building is completed •If final grading has not been completed, this has a p g g p , potential to alter the elevations reported within Section C p •For the LOMC process, this may result in causing problems for the requestor Section C Flood Map Modernization •Section C2: Vertical Datum • If the Elevation Certificate is used to support a LOMC (LOMA or LOMR-F), datum must be NGVD 29 or NAVD 88 • If the elevations are in a different datum, please provide the conversion and state if the elevations have been converted. If further explanation is needed, there is room provided within Section D •Section C2 F.: LAG •Section C2 H. : Lowest adjacent grade at lowest elevation of deck or stairs, including structural support •This information is provided if the certificate is being used to support a LOMC •For LOMC process, the LAG (C2 F) or C2 H, whichever is lower, must be at or above the BFE For •The LOMC process determines removal/denials not on finished floor elevation but rather C2 F or C2 H Section D Flood Map Modernization •Question asking about location of latitude and longitude is new •Section D can only be completed by a professional surveyor, engineer or architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information •By completing Section D, the professional is certifying that the information on the D certificate is accurate based on the best available data •Any false statement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001 Section D Continued Flood Map Modernization •Comments: The more information, the better •Details on BFE, vertical datum, unique situations •If the comments do not all fit within this section, make a note of this, check the attachment box and provide the additional data Section E Flood Map Modernization •Section E is not used for LOMCs •If the Elevation Certificate is used to support a LOMC, the Elevation Certificate must be completed by a professional and Sections A, B, C and D are required to be filled out •Section E is more for community and insurance purposes Section F Flood Map Modernization •This section is provided for certification of measurements taken by a property owner or property owner’s representative when responding to Sections A, B, and E Section G Flood Map Modernization Section G Continued Flood Map Modernization •The community official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community’s floodplain management ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C, E and G of the Elevation Certificate. p , , , •Section C may be completed only if the elevations were originally obtained by a professional surveyor or engineer •Section G is mostly used for community compliance purposes Letters of Map Change and the New Elevation Certificate Flood Map Modernization Letters of Map Change: LOMC Flood Map Modernization The FIS and FIRMS are prepared with rigorous technical standards Although changes are sometimes necessary due to: • • • • Improved techniques Physical changes New Data Limitations of Scale LOMC processes allow to revise the FIRM and FIS. p Letters of Map Change - LOMCFlood Map Modernization LOMC MT-1 (Amendments) MT-2 (Revisions) LOMA LOMR-F CLOMA CLOMR-F LOMR O CLOMR PMR Map Revision Types Amendments: • Structures or legally defined p g y parcels • Does not involve H&H analysis (Unless Zone A) • Requires submittal of MT-1 Forms • D Does not involve changes in BFE ti l h i • Can not be used for properties in an Alluvial Fan Revisions: • More complex map changes • Not usually lot or structure specific • Typically involves H&H analysis • Requires submittal of MT-2 Forms Flood Map Modernization MT-1 LOMA LOMR-F Conditional LOMR-FW (Floodway) MT-2 PMR LOMR Conditional Amendments (MT-1) Flood Map Modernization Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) • Request for exclusion of individual structure(s) and/or legally defined parcel(s) of land that were inadvertently included in the SFHA • Process outlined in Part 70 of NFIP Regulations Letter f Map R i i B d L tt of M Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) (LOMR F) • Request for exclusion of individual structure(s) and/or g y parcel(s) of land that were elevated by () y legally defined p earthen fill • Process outlined in Part 65 of NFIP Regulations Amendments (MT-1) Flood Map Modernization Conditional Letter of Map Amendment (CLOMA) • A l tt from FEMA stating th t a proposed structure th t i letter f t ti that d t t that is not to be elevated by fill (natural grade) would not be inundated by the base flood if built as proposed. • Process outlined in Part 70 of NFIP Regulations Conditional Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (CLOMR-F) • A letter from FEMA stating that a parcel of land or proposed structure that will be elevated by fill would not be inundated by the base flood if fill is placed o the p ce as p oposed o e b se ood s p ced on e parcel s proposed or the structure is built as proposed. • Process outlined in Part 65 of NFIP Regulations So Why do a Conditional Case? Flood Map Modernization CLOMA or CLOMR-F: • Does not amend the NFIP map • NOT a building permit! gp • Simply a comment document stating whether a structure/parcel of land will be safe from flooding if built as proposed d • Mostly the same data requirements as LOMA or LOMR-F q , proposed data request, but with p p • So why do a CLOMA or CLOMR-F? LOMA Flood Map Modernization BFE 3 LOMA Flood Map Modernization House Correctly Shown y in Floodplain House Inadvertently Included (Natural High Ground) in the 1% Annual Chance Floodplain Because of Topographic Limitation of Source Map Used to Prepare the FIRM Part 70 of the NFIP Regulations requires that the lowest g g q ground touching the structure be equal to or higher than the BFE LOMR F LOMR-F Flood Map Modernization BFE 3 LOMR-F Flood Map Modernization Revision to the SFHA with no change to the BFE In areas with special flood hazard, it may be feasible to elevate areas with fill above the BFE LOMR-F Flood Map Modernization House Correctly Shown in Floodplain House Elevated by the Placement of Fill Parts 60 and 65 of the NFIP regulations require that lowest ground touching the structure and the lowest floor elevation be equal to or higher h hi h than BFE LOMC Required Fees Flood Map Modernization Product P d t or S Service i • • LOMA CLOMA Single lot/structure Multiple lot/structure User Fee U F Exempt $500 $700 $425 $800 • CLOMR-F Single lot/structure Multiple lot/structure 4 LOMC Required Fees Flood Map Modernization Product P d t or S Service i • LOMR-F Single lot/structure Multiple lot/structure User Fee U F $425 $800 $325 $700 • LOMR-F following a CLOMR-F Single lot/structure Multiple lot/structure 4 Amendment Review by FEMA Flood Map Modernization FEMA is required to notify the applicant in writing within 60 days form the date of receipt of all data Requesters may check on status of all Letter of Map Change requests by contacting the FEMA Map Assistance Center toll-free at 877-FEMA MAP (336( 2627). Workshop Overview Flood Map Modernization Basic Definitions Overview of the Elevation Certificate Discussion of the changes made to the Elevation Certificate Background information on Letters of Map Change (LOMC) Discussion on how the Elevation Certificate is used for Letters of Map Change (LOMC) Questions? Flood Map Modernization • Amendments Manager – FEMA Regions 8, 9, and 10 • Tom Birney – Michael Baker Jr., Inc – 720.514.1110 Building Diagrams 1 and 9 Flood Map Modernization New Building Diagrams Flood Map Modernization New Building Diagrams Flood Map Modernization Diagram 1B is the same as Diagram 1A except the e cept structure is on a raised slab or stem wall Diagram 9 Flood Map Modernization •Diagram 9 is very similar to Diagram 2 g y g •The bottom floor is below grade on all sides •A floor that is below ground level on all sides is considered a basement even if the floor is used for li ing purposes, or as an sed living p rposes office, garage, workshop, etc. •So what then is the difference between Diagram 2 (structure with a basement) versus Diagram 9 (structure with a crawlspace) •The distinguishing feature is the distance between the lowest floor and the next higher floor The Difference Between Diagram 2 and 9 Flood Map Modernization •Distinguishing feature for Diagram 9 •The distance from the crawlspace floor to the Th di f h l fl h top of next floor is more than 5 ft, or the crawlspace floor is more than 2 feet below the LAG, then it is not deemed a crawlspace but a , p basement •This definition is what is found on the Elevation Certificate but NFIP has a technical bulletin th t b ll ti that provides greater detail regarding id t d t il di crawlspace construction •NFIP Technical Bulletins: •http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/flood plain/techbul.shtm Flood Map Modernization Diagram 9 and Technical Bulletin 11-01 Flood Map Modernization •Per Technical Bulletin 11-01, some distinguishing features are: • The interior grade of the crawlspace cannot be more than 2 feet below the LAG •Shown as item D in the diagram on the left •The difference between the crawlspace elevation and that of bottom of floor joist cannot exceed 4 feet •Shown as item L on above diagram •This limitation will prevent crawlspaces from being converted into habitable spaces Thi li it ti ill t l f b i t d i t h bit bl •The height limitation was determined using engineering analyses and building code requirements for flood hazard areas (page 7 of Technical Bulletin 11-01) pp y •Further restrictions apply and should be referenced to Technical Bulletin 11-01 •This pertains more to community compliance and documentation