General:

___  Emergency back-up power system

___  Easy access shut-offs

___  Emergency kit storage

___  Multiple escape exits

In non-coastal 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 stemwall foundation

___  unfinished, floodable crawl space with flood vents

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 on first floor

___  Appliance styles, installations that minimize damage in shallow floods

___  In areas protected by levees, designs and materials that are submersible, drainable and easily flushed

(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, doors

For SIPS, ICF, Shotcrete and other building systems:

___  Engineered for wind speed of local wind zone

Roof, Overhangs and Attachments:

___  Hurricane-rated connection of roof to walls

___  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” o.c. or to code (ring shank nails preferred)

___  In tornado zone, 5/8-inch 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 window protection (impact-rated units)

___  Pressure-rated or reinforced garage door

___  Fire-resistant 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-resistant roofing (UL Class 4)

___  All plumbing in heated space or well insulated

___  Pressure relief exterior faucets

___  Pex piping (flexible)