objectives at the end of this unit, you should be able to:

Unit 10: Elevation Certificates

1.210.2

Objectives

At the end of this unit, you should be able to: Describe the information recorded on the

Elevation Certificate. Explain how the Elevation Certificate is used in

floodplain management. Identify common questions and issues related

to the Elevation Certificate.

1.310.3

Elevation Certificate Roles

NFIP administrative tool for: Community

compliance Building elevation

certification Policy rating Map revision/

amendment support

1.410.4

Elevation Certificate Form Refer to the Elevation Certificate and

Instructions in the Forms Appendix. Instructions detail how to complete each

section.

Why is the elevation certificate important to you?

In-class activity

1.510.5

Elevation Certificate Contents Provides detailed, thorough instructions. Requests latitude and longitude. Includes a comprehensive FIRM information section. Provides building elevation information:

Detailed building diagrams Multiple building elevations

Lowest floor (former reference level) no longer required of the certifier (architect, engineer, surveyor).

1.610.6

Elevation Certificate Questions Why is it important to establish BFEs? How does the Elevation Certificate assist the agent to rate a

property? Who is qualified to certify elevations for most zones in the

Special Flood Hazard Area? How does a surveyor or agent identify an SFHA? Do all buildings in the SFHA need an

Elevation Certificate? Does the NFIP mandate using an

Elevation Certificate to meet programrequirements?

In-class activity

1.710.7

Pre- or Post-FIRM

12/31/74

Pre-FIRM Post-FIRM

On or before 12/31/74 or the initial FIRM date, whichever is later

After 12-31-74 and on or after the initial FIRM date

1.810.8

Role in Policy RatingUsed to rate policies in zones: A1 – A30 VE AE V1 – V30 AH, AO, AR, A99 V (with BFE) A (with BFE) D B, D, X

Required for buildings constructed: Post-FIRM (after 12/31/74 or original FIRM date, whichever is

later) Pre-FIRM (but rated under Post-FIRM rules)

1.910.9

Pre-FIRM: Elevated

1.1010.10

Pre-FIRM: Non-Elevated

1.1110.11

Role in Zone Disputes Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA):

Pre-FIRM conditions identified in SFHA by providing additional data.

Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F): Post-FIRM conditions resulting from changes to

SFHAs by permitted alterations (fill) to sites.

1.1210.12

Ordering Information

For current FIRMs and the “Guide to Flood Maps,” contact FEMA at: 1-800-358-9616, or http://www.fema.gov and click on “FEMA Flood

Map Store.” FIRMS are provided online.

1.1310.13

Elevation Certificate Sections Refer again to the Elevation Certificate in the

Forms Appendix. Note that sections are designated from A to G. Some sections are completed before

construction begins, some during construction, and some after construction ends.

We will review the contents and highlights of each section.

In-class activity

1.1410.14

Elevation Certificate, FF 81-31

1.1510.15

Section A: Property Owner Information

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYNATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

ELEVATION CERTIFICATEImportant: Read the instructions on pages 1 - 5.

SECTION A - PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION For Insurance Company Use:BUILDING OWNER’S NAME Policy Number

BUILDING STREET ADDRESS (Including Apt., Unit, Suite, and/or Bldg. No.) OR P.O. ROUTE AND BOX NO. Company NAIC Number

CITY STATE ZIP CODE

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION (Lot and Block Numbers, Tax Parcel Number, Legal Description, etc.)

BUILDING USE (e.g., Residential, Non-residential, Addition, Accessory, etc. Use comments section if necessary.)

LATITUDE/ LONGITUDE (OPTIONAL) ( ##o - ##’ - ##.###” or ##.#####o)

O.M.B. No. 3067-0077Expires July 31, 2002

SOURCE: |__| GPS (Type:___________________________________)|__| USGS Quad Map |__| Other:____________________

1.1610.16

Section A Highlights Property description Building use Latitude/longitude Horizontal datum

1.1710.17

Section B: FIRM Information

SECTION B - FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) INFORMATION

B1. NFIP COMMUNITY NAME & COMMUNITY NUMBER B2. COUNTY NAME B3. STATE

B4. MAP AND PANELNUMBER

B5. SUFFIX B6. FIRM INDEXDATE

B7. FIRM PANELEFFECTIVE/REVISED DATE

B8. FLOODZONE(S)

B9. BASE FLOOD ELEVATION(S)(Zone AO, use depth of flooding)

B10. Indicate the source of the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) data or base flood depth entered in B9.|__| FIS Profile |__| FIRM |__| Community Determined |__| Other (Describe:

___________________________________)B11. Indicate the elevation datum used for the BFE in B9: |__| NGVD 1929 |__| NAVD 1988 |__| Other(Describe: _____________________)B12. Is the building located in a Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) area or Otherwise ProtectedArea (OPA)? |__| Yes |__| No

Designation Date:__________________________

1.1810.18

Information From FIRM

1.1910.19

BFE From Flood Profiles

527

528

529

530

5260 50 100 150

50-YEAR FLOOD

100-YEAR FLOOD

500-YEAR FLOOD

SUTT

ER B

LVD

BR

IDG

E

ELE

VA

TIO

N (F

EE

T N

GV

D)

STREAM DISTANCE IN FEET ABOVE CONFLUENCE WITH LAKE HIGHTOWER

531

532

B

MO

NTE

REY

AVE

BR

IDG

E

10-YEAR FLOOD

CA D E

STREAM BED

1.2010.20

Section C: Building Elevation Information

Finished Grade

All machinery and/or equipment such as furnaces, hot water heaters, heat pumps, a/c, and elevators, etc., installed and the grading around the building is completed.

1.2110.21

When To Use Section C Must be completed if the Elevation Certificate is

used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F Not required for Zone AO Not required for Zone A (without BFE)

1.2210.22

Highest/Lowest Adjacent GradeHighest Adjacent Grade (HAG): Prior to construction:

Highest grade next to the proposed walls of a structure.

If no BFE, use highest adjacent natural grade.

Law/ordinance elevation requirements met?

Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG): After completion of

construction: Lowest (finished) grade next to building walls.

Is a Letter of Map Change needed?

1.2310.23

Section C Highlights Building elevation information. Reference level determination has been

removed. Building diagram selection. Certifier must sign in the block, over the seal,

and date.

1.2410.24

Elevation by Building Type

1.2510.25

Section D: Certification

1.2610.26

Section D Highlights Surveyor, engineer, or architect certified

Sections A, B, and C information. Comments section included. Property address validated. Certifier must sign and date.

1.2710.27

Section E: Elevations Without Survey

Natural Grade

Machinery

1.2810.28

Section F: Owner’s Certification

SECTION F - PROPERTY OWNER (OR OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE) CERTIFICATIONThe property owner or owner’s authorized representative who completes Sections A, B, and E for Zone A (without a FEMA-issued orcommunity-issued BFE) or Zone AO must sign here.

PROPERTY OWNER’S OR OWNER’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE’S NAME

ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

SIGNATURE DATE TELEPHONE

COMMENTS

|__| Check here if attachments

1.2910.29

Sections E and F Highlights Section E

A Zone with no BFE AO Zone Building type Elevation difference Utilities

Section F Property owner information Completed by property owner or representative

1.3010.30

Section G: Community Information

Check here if attachmentsSECTION G - COMMUNITY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL)

The local official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community’s floodplainmanagement ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C (or E), and G of this Elevation Certificate. Completethe applicable item(s) and sign below.

The information in Section C was taken from other documentation that has been signed and embossed by a licensed surveyor,engineer, or architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation information.

G2. A community official completed Section E for a building located in Zone A (without a FEMA-issued orcommunity-issued BFE) or Zone AO.

G3. The following information (Items G4-G9) is provided for community floodplain management purposes.

G4. PERMIT NUMBER G5. DATE PERMIT ISSUED

G6. DATE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE/OCCUPANCY ISSUED

G7. This permit has been issued for: New Construction Substantial Improvement___ ft.(m) Datum: __

G9. BFE or (in Zone AO) depth of flooding at the building site is:

LOCAL OFFICIAL’S NAME TITLE

COMMUNITY NAME TELEPHONE

SIGNATURE DATE

COMMENTS

Check here if attachments

G1.

_____________

___ ft.(m) _____________ ___ Datum:

1.3110.31

Important Points Verify all data in the field for accuracy prior to

issuing the Certificate of Completion—data must match the finished structure.

“NA” should be in all non-applicable data fields. Certifier’s seal, signature, and date must be in

Section C; signature and date in Section D.

1.3210.32

Important Points Copies or faxes are not acceptable as originals.

Insist on 2-sided EC with signatures in other than black ink.

Do not alter the EC in any way, even for minor changes.

If completing Section G, use a separate EC and attach the certified EC.

1.3310.33

Building Diagrams

1.3410.34

Activity: Elevations The following examples of houses have

elevation points marked. For each point marked, choose the C3 letter that

matches the location. Use the Building Diagram as a reference. The class will review and discuss

each example in turn.

In-class activity

1.3510.35

Slab-on-Grade

1.3610.36

With Basement

1.3710.37

Split-Level Below Ground

ab

1.3810.38

Elevated Building—Free From Obstructions

b

c

a

(V-Zones only)

1.3910.39

Walkout Enclosure

b

a

gf

1.4010.40

Activity: Which Building Diagram? The following photos show different types of

building structures. Refer to the Building Diagrams on pages 6-7 of

the Elevation Certificate Instructions. Choose the diagram that matches

the building in the photo. The class will review and

discuss each example in turn. In-class activity

1.4110.41

 Which Diagram Do You Use?

Diagram 8

1.4210.42

 Which Diagram Do You Use?

Diagram 2

1.4310.43

 Which Diagram Do You Use?

Enclosure

Diagram 6

1.4410.44

 Which Diagram Do You Use?

Diagram 7

1.4510.45

How can you use the Elevation Certificate as a management tool?