Article IV General Technical Requirements

Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points;

Consist of soil or small rock materials only. Sanitary landfills shall not be permitted;

Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring or settling;

(4)

Be no steeper than one vertical to two horizontal, unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to and approved by the Building Permit Officer; and

(5)

Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.

Drainage facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.

Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.

All new or replacement water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of floodwaters.

Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.

No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any identified floodplain area except in strict compliance with all state and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is permitted, it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination from it, during a flood.

Other utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.

Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.

Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or, in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal or plant life, and not listed in § 230-23, Development which may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.

Placement of buildings and structures. All buildings and structures shall be designed, located and constructed so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum effect upon the flow and height of floodwater.

Anchoring.

All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement.

All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks and other similar objects or components located below the regulatory flood elevation shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.

Floors, walls and ceilings.

Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring perpendicular to the flooring grain without causing structural damage to the building.

Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a marine or water-resistant variety.

Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed of materials that are water-resistant and will withstand inundation.

(4)

Windows, doors and other components at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.

Paints and adhesives.

Paints or other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of marine or water-resistant quality.

Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a marine or water-resistant variety.

All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) shall be finished with a marine or water-resistant paint or other finishing material.

Electrical components.

Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the 100-year flood elevation.

§ 230-23 Development which may endanger human life.

Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.

Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air-conditioning and ventilating units, and other mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus shall not be located below the regulatory flood elevation.

Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act,[1] and the regulations adopted by the Department of Community and Economic Development as required by the Act, any new or substantially improved structure which will be used for the production or storage of any of the following dangerous materials or substances; or will be used for any activity requiring the maintenance of a supply of more than 550 gallons, or other comparable volume, of any of the following dangerous materials or substances on the premises; or will involve the production, storage, or use of any amount of radioactive substances shall be subject to the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable provisions. The following list of materials and substances are considered dangerous to human life:

Acetone.

Ammonia.

Benzene.

Calcium carbide.

Carbon disulfide.

Celluloid.

Chlorine.

Hydrochloric acid.

Hydrocyanic acid.

Magnesium.

Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.

(12)

Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).

Phosphorus.

Potassium.

Sodium.

Sulfur and sulfur products.

(17)

Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides).

(18)

Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise regulated.

[1]

Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.

Within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.

Construction standards for new or substantially improved structures.

Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be:

(a)

Elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above the 100-year flood; and

(b)

Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during the course of a 100-year flood.

§ 230-24 Special requirements for mobile homes.

Any such structure, or part thereof, that will be built below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards for completely dry floodproofing contained in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations" (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972), or with some other equivalent watertight standard.

Within any identified floodplain area, all mobile homes and any additions thereto shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.

Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, all mobile homes and additions thereto shall be:

Anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement by providing over-the-top and frame ties to ground anchors in accordance with the American National Standards as specified in the Standard for the Installation of Mobile Homes Including Mobile Home Park Requirements (NFPA No. 501A-1974) (ANSI A119.3-1975), as amended for Mobile Homes in Hurricane Zones, or other appropriate standards such as the following:

(a)

Over-the-top ties shall be provided at each of the four corners of the mobile home, with two additional ties per side at intermediate locations for units 50 feet or more in length, and one additional tie per side for units less than 50 feet in length;

(b)

Frame ties shall be provided at each corner of the mobile home, with five additional ties per side at intermediate locations for units 50 feet or more in length, and four additional ties per side for units less than 50 feet in length;

(c)

All components of the anchoring system shall be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds.