objectives at the end of this unit, you should be able to:
DESCRIPTION
Elevation Certificate Roles NFIP administrative tool for: Community compliance Building elevation certification Policy rating Map revision/ amendment supportTRANSCRIPT
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?