BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

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Built-up beam connections, knee brace connections, and diagonal brace connections for wood piles.

Built-up beam connections, knee brace connections, and diagonal brace connections for wood piles.

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Right - Flood resistant slab and crawlspace foundations elevate the floor above the design flood elevation.

Right - Flood resistant slab and crawlspace foundations elevate the floor above the design flood elevation.

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Wrong - In floodplains, the interior grade elevation should be equal to or higher than the exterior grade as shown on right.

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Proper connections for masonry gable end wall to roof help resist wind uplift.

Proper connections for masonry gable end wall to roof help resist wind uplift.

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In high wind areas, provide lateral support to masonry end walls to resist high winds.

In high wind areas, provide lateral support to masonry end walls to resist high winds.

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Locations and causes of common water intrusion problems in homes.

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Wrong – The ridge flashing fasteners were placed too far apart and came loose in high winds.

Wrong – The ridge flashing fasteners were placed too far apart and came loose in high winds.

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This breakaway wall design made of decay resistant lumber is compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program.

This breakaway wall design made of decay resistant lumber is compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program.

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A Cup of Joe: Below Grade Water Control | Building Science Deconstructed

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Video from Dorken Systems Inc. of industry expert Joe Lstiburek explaining wet and dry floodproofing for homes, specifically below-grade water control.

Right – Examples of wall stud to sill plate and foundation and wall rod connectors and brackets.

Right – Examples of wall stud to sill plate and foundation and wall rod connectors and brackets.

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Comparison of a building that sits below the Design Flood Elevation and renovated to be above the DFE and to add a second story.

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This home was elevated above the Design Flood Elevation and the pre-existing first story became the second story.

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Right – The drain slopes away from the foundation and terminates at the proper distance

Right – The drain slopes away from the foundation and terminates at the proper distance

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Concrete pier foundations can be used in place of wood piles in coastal areas where risk of erosion and scour is low.

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Wrong-These masonry pier foundations were twisted and displaced by coastal storm surges in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Wrong-These masonry pier foundations were twisted and displaced by coastal storm surges in Long Beach, Mississippi.

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In high-wind regions, special hardware is used for most framing connections; toe-nailing is not acceptable.

In high-wind regions, special hardware is used for most framing connections; toe-nailing is not acceptable.

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Wrong – Drain pipe has been cut and foundation penetration has not been properly sealed

Wrong – Drain pipe has been cut and foundation penetration has not been properly sealed

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Wrong - The pile foundation of this home nearly collapsed from coastal storm surges because the piles were not embedded deeply enough in the ground.

Wrong - The pile foundation of this home nearly collapsed from coastal storm surges because the piles were not embedded deeply enough in the ground.

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Key connection points for a continuous load path for earthquake and high wind disaster resistance

Key connection points for a continuous load path for earthquake and high wind disaster resistance

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Building siding extended down and over the breakaway wall so the upper wall was damaged when the lower wall broke away.

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The rails on these stairs were enclosed with siding, presenting a greater obstacle to the flow of flood water and contributing to the flood damage shown here.

The rails on these stairs were enclosed with siding, presenting a greater obstacle to the flow of flood water and contributing to the flood damage shown here.

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FORTIFIED Home Eligibility Requirements—Foundations - Eligibility Requirements and Retrofit Requirements for Elevated-Floor (Not Slab-on-Grade) Houses

Reference

Checklist intending to clarify FORTIFIED Home™ eligibility requirements that relate to a home’s foundation.

Homebuilders' Guide to Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction, FEMA 232

Reference

Report presenting seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family houses for homebuilders, knowledgeable homeowners, and other non-engineers.

Wrong-The home was pulled off its masonry pier foundation during a coastal flood due to inadequate pier-to-beam connections.

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Right-Flood resistant foundation walls lift the floor framing above the DFE and include flood openings to let flood waters pass through.

Right-Flood resistant foundation walls lift the floor framing above the DFE and include flood openings to let flood waters pass through.

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In Coastal A Zones and V Zones best practice is to construct the home so the bottom support of the lowest floor is above the 100-year wave crest elevation.

In Coastal A Zones and V Zones best practice is to construct the home so the bottom support of the lowest floor is above the 100-year wave crest elevation.

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Wrong – Piers set on individual footings with inadequate anchoring to the ground were twisted and toppled by a coastal storm surge, while those anchored in the concrete pad stayed upright.

Wrong – Piers set on individual footings with inadequate anchoring to the ground were twisted and toppled by a coastal storm surge, while those anchored in the concrete pad stayed upright.

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Right – Notch cut into pile takes less than 50% of cross section, cut is treated with wood preservative, and beam is installed with corrosion-resistant bolts.

Right – Notch cut into pile takes less than 50% of cross section, cut is treated with wood preservative, and beam is installed with corrosion-resistant bolts.

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Connecting hardware helps tie the roof to the walls to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

Connecting hardware helps tie the roof to the walls to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

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