Borough of Spring Grove, PA Technical Provisions

No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities which may be affected by such action have been notified by the person or entity proposing such encroachment, alteration or improvement and until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained from the DEP Regional Office.

In addition, FEMA and DCED shall be notified by such person or entity proposing such encroachment, alteration or improvement prior to any such action to any watercourse.

Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.

§ 213-25 Special requirements for FW and FA areas.

With any FW (Floodway Area), the following provisions apply:

Any new construction, development, use, activity, or encroachment that would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited.

No new construction or development shall be allowed, unless a permit is obtained from the DEP Regional Office.

Within any FA (General Floodplain Area), the following provisions apply:

No new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse, unless a permit is obtained from the DEP Regional Office.

Any new construction or development, which would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited within any floodway area.

§ 213-26 Elevation and floodproofing requirements.

Residential structures. Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction or substantial improvement of a residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation. The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2006 IBC (Sections 1603.1.6, 1612.4, and 3403.1.1) and in the 2006 IRC (Sections R324.1.4, R324.2.1, and R324.2.2) and ASCE 24-05 (Sections 2.4 and 2.5, Chapter 5) and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) shall be utilized.

Nonresidential structures.

Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed by such structure shall remain either completely or essentially dry during any flood up to that height.

Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, having a lowest floor which is not elevated to at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation shall be floodproofed in a completely or essentially dry manner in accordance with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations" published by the U.S. 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 Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above-referenced standards.

The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2006 IBC (Sections 1603.1.2, 1603.1.6, 1605.2.2, 1612.5(1) and 3403.1.1) and ASCE 24-05 (Sections 2.4 and Chap. 7) and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) shall be utilized.

Space below the lowest floor.

Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) is prohibited.

Partially enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) 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 "partially 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)

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

(b)

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

(c)

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

Consideration may be given to the requirements of 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and the 2006 IBC (Sections 1203.3.3, 1612.4, and 1612.5), and the 2006 IRC (Sections R324.1.4 and R324.2.2).

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 principal use or activity.

Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet.

The structure will have a low damage potential.

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

Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year 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 floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(a)

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

(b)

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

(c)

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

§ 213-27 Design and construction standards.

The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:

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 three horizontal feet unless substantiated data, justifying steeper slopes are submitted to, and approved by, the BCO; and

Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties. The provisions contained in the 2006 IBC (Sections 1801.1 and 1803.4) shall be utilized.

Drainage facilities. 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. The provisions contained in the 2006 IBC (Appendix G401.5) shall be utilized.

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.

The design and construction provisions of the UCC and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and contained in the 2006 IBC (Appendix G, Sections 401.3 and 401.4), the 2006 IRC (Section R324.1.6), the ASCE 24-05 (Section 8.3), FEMA No. 348, Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damages and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code (Chapter 3) shall be utilized.

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 less than one foot above 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 § 213-28, 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.

The design and construction requirements of the UCC pertaining to this subsection as referred to in 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and contained in the 2006 IBC (Sections 1605.2.2, 1605.3.1.2, 1612.4 and Appendix G501.3), the 2006 IRC (Sections R301.1 and R324.1.1) and ASCE 24-05 (Section 5.6) shall be utilized.

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.

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

The provisions of the UCC pertaining to this subsection and referenced in the 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and contained in the 2006 IBC (Sections 801.1.3, 1403.2, 1403.3, 1403.5 and 1404.2), the 2006 IRC (Sections R324.1.7 and R502.2) and ASCE 24-05 (Chapter 6) shall be utilized.

Paints and adhesives.

Paints and 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.

The standards and specifications contained in 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended), the 2006 IBC (Sections 801.1.3, 1405.2 and Appendix G) and the 2006 IRC (Section R324.1.7) shall be utilized.

Electrical components.

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

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

The provisions pertaining to the above provisions and referenced in the UCC and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and contained in the 2006 IBC (Section 1612.4), the 2006 IRC (Section R324.1.5 and M1601.3.8), the 2006 International Fire and Gas Code (Section 301.5) and ASCE 24-05 (Chapter 8) shall be utilized.

Equipment.

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

The provisions pertaining to the above provision and referenced in the UCC and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and contained in the 2006 IBC (Section 1612.4), the 2006 IRC (Sections R324.1.5 and M1601.3.8), the 2006 International Fire and Gas Code (Section 301.5) and ASCE 24 (Chapter 8) shall be utilized.

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.

Uniform construction code coordination. The standards and specifications contained 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) and not limited to the following provisions shall apply to the above and other sections and subsections of this chapter, to the extent that they are more restrictive and/or supplement the requirements of this chapter:

2006 International Building Code (IBC) or the latest edition thereof: Sections 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.

2006 International Residential Building Code (IRC) or the latest edition thereof: Sections R104, R105, R109, R324, M1601, Appendix E and Appendix J.

§ 213-28 Development which may endanger human life.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act,[1] and the regulations adopted by the DCED as required by the Act, any new or substantially improved structure the primary use of 1) which will be used for the production or storage of any of the following dangerous materials or substances; 2) 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 3) 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)

Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides).

(13)

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

(14)

Phosphorus.

(15)

Potassium.

(16)

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

(17)

Sodium.

(18)

Sulphur and sulphur products.

[1]

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

Within any FW (Floodway Area), any structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be prohibited.

Within any FA (General 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.

Requirements for permitted structures.

Where permitted within any 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 one-hundred-year flood; and

(b)

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

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, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent watertight standard.

§ 213-29 Special requirements for manufactured homes.

Within any FW (Floodway Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited.

Within any FA (General Floodplain Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.

Where permitted within any floodplain area, all manufactured homes, and any improvements thereto, shall be:

Placed on a permanent foundation.

Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is 1 1/2 feet or more above the elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.

Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.

Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with the manufacturers' installation instructions as provided by the manufacturer. Where the applicant cannot provide the above information, the requirements of Appendix E of the 2003 International Residential Building Code or the U.S. 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 to 405.