Multi-hazard Resistance
General:
__ Emergency back-up power system
__ Easy access shut-offs
__ Emergency kit storage
__ Multiple escape exits
Flood Damage Reduction
Built above anticipated flood levels:
In noncoastal A zones, floor is above BFE using one of these
foundation types:
__ Slab on compacted fill, extending max. 2 ft. beyond house footprint
__ Slab cap on compacted fill within a stem wall foundation
__ Unfinished, floodable crawl space with flood vents
__ Pile, post, column or pier open foundation; enclosures vented or
designed to allow entry and exit of flood water
__ In V zones and coastal-A zones, lowest horizontal structural
member is above BFE with:
__ Continuous pile, open foundation
__ No or minimal obstruction as allowed by local ordinance
In areas of minimal risk (Zones C and X) near A or V zone property:
__ Lowest floor is above BFE of nearest flood zone
Additional design features:
__ Decks, porches built and anchored to resist flood forces
__ Garage above BFE or includes flood vents if below BFE
__ Garage floor, patios, etc. min. 4 in. below living floor
__ HVAC, electrical, mechanical systems elevated above BFE
Additional flood protection features:
__ Backflow valve in sewer line
__ Flood-resistant materials and assemblies on first floor (drainable,
cleanable, dryable)
__ Appliance styles, installations that minimize damage in shallow
floods
__ In areas protected by levees, designs and materials that are
submersible, drainable and easily flushed
Hurricane and Tornado Resistance
(See wind design speed map and associated wind resistant building code for specific requirements; checklist below includes general guidelines for hurricane zones)
General features:
__ House is < 60 ft. long
__ No more than two stories (levels)
__ Wall height of each story is < 10 ft.
__ Exterior cladding (siding, roofing, etc. rated for wind design speed)
__ Reinforced safe room within house
__ Storm storage for outdoor items
__ Outside accessories securely anchored
Walls:
For wood frame construction:
__ 2x4 studs spaced 16” o.c., or 2x6 studs spaced 24” o.c.
__ Bottom plates anchored to foundation
__ All load-bearing studs anchored to bottom and top plates with metal
hurricane connectors or structural sheathing with load-specific
nailing pattern
__ Upper story anchored to lower story
__ Structural sheathing or inset shearwalls to meet shear load
requirements
__ No windows, doors near corners
__ Corner hold-down hardware at ends of each shearwall
For masonry construction:
__ Rebar connects foundation to wall (4-ft. spacing typical)
__ Rebar reinforcement full height of walls
__ Vertical rebar reinforcement at corners and both sides of windows
and doors
For SIPS, ICF, Shotcrete and other building systems:
__ Engineered for wind speed of local wind zone
Roof, Overhangs and Attachments:
__ Wind-rated connection of roof to walls
__ Hurricane straps over every rafter/truss (preferable to clips)
__ Roof pitch between 3:12 and 12:12 (< 7:12 preferred)
__ Hip roof design (preferred)
__ Gable roof end walls braced or balloon framed
__ Overhangs < 2 ft. (or engineered, if larger)
__ Roof decking nailed or screwed to rafters (not stapled) at 6 in. o.c.
or to code (ring shank nails preferred)
__ In tornado zone, 5/8-in. plywood roof decking
__ Roof deck seams sealed (with adhesive roof tape or membrane)
__ Min. #30 roofing felt (consider tear resistant type) or peel and stick
membrane
__ Wind-rated roofing, properly installed
__ Attic vents protected from wind-driven rain
__ Soffits of rigid material and fastened securely to framing
__ Porch, patio, carport designed, anchored for wind load
__ Columns anchored to foundation and roof beam
Windows and doors:
__ Height < 6’-8”
__ Meet code design pressure ratings (typically > DP 30)
__ Glass protections (plywood panels or certified impact-rated storm
shutters, panels, screens, or window/door units)
__ In tornado zone, passive protection (impact rated windows)
__ Pressure-rated or reinforced garage door
Fire Protection
__ Fire resistant wall cladding
__ UL Class A roofing
__ Fire resistant materials around fireplace and in kitchen
__ Smoke alarm (combination type, battery powered)
__ Lightning rod and grounding system
__ Residential sprinkler system
__ Planned extinguisher mounting locations
Hail and Freeze Hazards
__ Hail-resistant roofing (UL Class 4)
__ All plumbing in heated space or well-insulated
__ Pressure relief exterior faucets
__ Pex piping (flexible)
Termite Resistance
__ No untreated wood left in soil or stored near structure
__ Moisture managed construction (See Moisture Control section)
__ Professional soil treatment under foundation
__ Termite barriers at hidden pathways
__ Best: no untreated structural wood or vulnerable insulation
__ Borate-treated wall/roof framing, cellulose insulation, foams
__ Pressure-treated (not borate) or composite wood decking
__ Masonry, concrete or steel construction
Slab foundation:
__ Monolithic poured slab
__ Slab specifications to minimize cracking
__ Steel mesh epoxied pipe collars within slab
__ Consider treatment of control joints and cracks
__ No wood forms, stakes, etc. left in ground
Raised foundations:
__ No hollow concrete blocks below grade
__ Hollow block foundation walls capped with concrete
__ Piers are solid, resistant material
__ Termite shields between foundation and framing to force termite
exposure
__ Floor joists >18 in. above ground
All foundations:
__ No vulnerable foam insulation under ground (below grade)
__ Min. 8-in. clearance between siding and finished grade
__ Min. 6-in. clearance between wooden steps and soil
__ Foundations detailed for ease of inspection and detection
__ Porches, terraces not filled with soil
__ Porch supports separated from house min. 2 in.
Other:
__ Downspouts, sprinklers, drain lines discharge >2 ft. from house
__ Plantings placed min. 3 feet from foundation
__ No mulch near house or termite-resistant types
__ Plumbing and conduit off the ground, no wood supports