1. Scope

This specification prescribes procedures for determining whether building materials are considered to be flood damage resistant for construction applications that comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It was developed from and is intended to supplement specifications in NFIP Technical Bulletin (TB) 2 for purposes of evaluating building materials not already recognized as acceptable in accordance with TB 2 , which is referenced in the International Residential Code as well as ASCE/SEI 24. This specification is intended to reduce the burden on the NFIP by improving flood-resistant construction and thereby decreasing the number of flood restoration claims. The goal is to identify materials, when tested as part of an assembly representative of end use conditions, that would be permitted for construction below the base flood elevation (BFE) and not need to be replaced after a flood event due to adverse effects of water immersion and subsequent drying on performance. This specification shall not supersede other applicable codes or standards. This specification is intended to apply to building materials used in new, substantially damaged, and substantially altered construction below base flood elevation (BFE) as permitted by the NFIP including, but not limited to, building materials used in walls, floors, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, finishes, cladding, and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items. This specification includes descriptions of requirements for the purpose of evaluating effects of flooding on specimen physical properties, drying, and the ability to be cleaned and restored to serviceability. Performance requirements vary based on the type of building material, where it is used, and the functions the building material is required to perform. The body of the specification gives general requirements applicable to a broad range of building materials with Annexes provided for building material-specific requirements. Performance requirements for evaluation of other hazards associated with flood damage including, but not limited to, debris impact, flood velocity, wave action, water pressure differential, scour, erosion, biological and chemical contaminants in floodwater, and other factors that would be adverse to continued use of the structure for its intended purpose are outside of the scope of this specification.

Keywords

direct and prolonged contact; Federal Emergency Management Agency; FEMA; flooding; National Flood Insurance Program; NFIP; serviceability

Rationale

Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR) specifies that all new construction and substantial improvements below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) shall be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage. Currently, the only document that provides guidance on what constitute a materials resistant to flood damage is FEMAs Technical Bulletin 2 (TB 2). TB 2 was updated in 2008 and is currently referenced in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) as well as ASCE/SEI 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction. A total of 110 materials are classified as acceptable or unacceptable for use below the BFE. However, TB 2 does not provide any quantitative methods or pass/fail criteria for determining a materials acceptability. Without a standardized method of testing a material or assembly to determine its resistance to flood water, there are questions about acceptability of certain non-classified materials and whether they will perform after a flood event. The primary users will be manufacturers who will subject their materials and assemblies to the testing requirements and local building officials who will use the ratings to determine what materials are allowed to be used in construction below the BFE.

The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.