The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has produced materials to give technical guidance to homebuilders and property owners planning post-Sandy construction or repairs in coastal areas.
For residential builders and do-ityourself ers, FEMA offers a series of fact sheets — available for free at www.fema.gov — that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.
The “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series” is aimed at improving the stability of buildings in coastal environments that may be subject to flood and wind forces, according to a press release from the agency.
The 37 fact sheets are divided into 10 categories that cover various aspects of the construction process. Each fact sheet provides specific information on topics such as National Flood Insurance Program regulatory requirements, the proper sites of coastal buildings, and recommended design and construction practices. Many include lists of resources that provide more information about the topics discussed, and provide active web links.
Updated in 2011, a “Coastal Construction Manual” is intended to help designers and contractors identify and evaluate practices that improve construction quality.
The two-volume publication provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing and maintaining homes in the coastal environment. Volume I provides information on hazard identification, siting decisions, regulatory requirements, economic implications and risk management.
Volume II contains in-depth descriptions of design, construction and maintenance practices that, when followed, will increase the durability of residential buildings in the harsh coastal environment and reduce economic losses.
The “Coastal Construction Manual” and the “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series” may be downloaded at www.fema.gov.