Township of Lower Swatara, PA FLOODPLAIN CONSTRUCTION

Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction of, or substantial improvement to residential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the regulatory flood elevation (1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation).

In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with § 8-106, Subsection 2C(2)(b).

In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.

Manufactured Housing.

Floodway. Within any floodway area, manufactured homes shall be prohibited.

Floodplain. Where permitted within any identified floodplain areas, all manufactured homes placed, manufactured homes undergoing substantial improvements, and any additions to manufactured homes shall meet or exceed the following criteria:

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 Manufactured Homes including manufactured home park requirements [NFPA No. 501A-1974 (ANSI A119.3-1975)], as amended, for manufactured homes in hurricane zones or other appropriate standards such as the following:

Over-the-top ties shall be provided at each of the four corners of the manufactured 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.

Frame ties shall be provided at each corner of the manufactured 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.

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

Elevated on a permanent foundation in accordance with the following requirements:

The stands or lots shall be elevated on compacted fill, or on pilings so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home will be 1 1/2 feet or more above the base flood elevation.

Adequate surface drainage is provided.

Adequate access for a hauler is provided.

Where pilings are used for elevation, that lots shall be large enough to permit steps; piling foundations shall be placed in stable soil no more than 10 feet apart; reinforcement shall be provided for pilings that will extend for six feet or more above ground level.

An evacuation plan indicating alternate vehicular access and escape routes shall be filed with the appropriate Township officials for manufactured home parks.

Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions as provided by the manufacturer. Where the applicant cannot provide the above information, the requirements of Appendix E of the International Residential Code or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Permanent Foundations for Manufactured Housing, 1984 Edition draft, or latest revision thereto shall apply and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405.

Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of the International Building Code and the International Residential Code most recent revision thereto and 34 Pa. Code, as amended, where appropriate, and/or applicable to units where manufacturer's standards for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established for the unit's(s') proposed installation.

Nonresidential Structures.

Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction of, or substantial improvement to, a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above the regulatory flood elevation (1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation) or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:

Is floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water.

Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.

In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely flood-proofed up to, or above the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with § 8-106, Subsection 2C(2)(b).

Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations" by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above-referenced standards.

Space Below the Lowest Floor.

Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.

Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

Accessory Structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:

The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principle use activity.

Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet.

The structure shall have a low damage potential.

(4)

The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.

(5)

Power lines, wiring, and outlets shall be at least 1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation.

(6)

Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc. are prohibited.

(7)

Sanitary facilities are prohibited.

(8)

The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirements shall either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet the following minimum criteria:

A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

Recreational Vehicles.

Recreational vehicles shall not be parked, kept, or stored within any floodway area.

Recreational vehicles in floodplain areas, where permitted, shall meet one of the following criteria:

Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days.

Be fully licensed and ready for highway use.

Meet permit requirements and technical provisions required for manufactured homes.

General Design and Construction Standards. The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction and development proposed to be undertaken within any identified floodplain district:

Fill. If fill is used, it shall:

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.

Be no steeper than one vertical to two horizontal feet, unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to and approved by the Floodplain Administrator.

(e)

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

Drainage. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall insure 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 flood waters.

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 so located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination from it, during a flood.

(4)

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.

(5)

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

(6)

Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, and plant life, and not listed in § 8-108, Subsection 1, Development Which May Endanger Human Life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.

(7)

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.

(8)

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.

(9)

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

Appropriate practices that minimize flooding damage shall be used.

(e)

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

(10)

Paints and Adhesives.

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

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

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

(11)

Electrical Components. The following requirements shall apply to all construction of an electrical system or parts of an electrical system and to existing electrical systems when 50% or more of the electric system is modified, altered, reconstructed, or replaced, occurring in any designated floodplain area.

All electrical water heaters, electric furnaces, electric air-conditioning and ventilating systems, and other critical electrical installations shall be permitted only at elevations 1 1/2 feet or more above the regulatory flood elevation (three feet above base flood elevation).

Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the base flood elevation.

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

(12)

Plumbing Components.

Water heaters, furnaces, and other mechanical equipment, apparatus, or appliances shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood elevation.

Water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed and constructed to preclude infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.

No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be constructed within any designated floodplain area.