The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
A. Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1) Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all
points;
(2) Consist of soil or small rock materials only. No sanitary landfill
materials are permitted;
(3) Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance
to erosion, scouring or settling;
(4) 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; and
(5) Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent
properties.
B. Placement of structures. All 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.
C. Anchoring.
(1) All structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted
engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
(2) All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks, and other similar objects
or components located below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
D. Floors, walls, ceilings, wooden components.
(1) Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring,
perpendicular to the flooring grain, without causing structural damage
to the structure.
(2) Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be of a marine or water-resistant variety.
(3) Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be designed to withstand inundation and constructed of materials
that are water-resistant.
(4) Windows and doors at or below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be made of metal or water-resistant materials.
(5) All wooden components, e.g., doors, trim, and cabinets, used at or
below the regulatory flood protection elevation shall be finished
with a marine or water-resistant finish.
E. Paints and adhesives.
(1) Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood protection
elevation shall be of marine or water-resistant type.
(2) Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood protection elevation
shall be of marine or water-resistant type.
F. Electrical components and equipment.
(1) Electric distribution panels shall be placed at least three feet
above the base flood elevation.
(2) Electric circuits shall be dropped from above.
(3) 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 protection elevation,
shall be located, constructed and designed to minimize or eliminate
flood damage and to prevent water entry or accumulation, and shall
be anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(4) Ductwork shall be elevated to or above the regulatory flood protection
elevation or designed to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters.
G. Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed
to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters in 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.
H. Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.
(1) Except where demonstrated that no alternative location is reasonably
available, no new water supply or sanitary sewer facilities and facilities,
including on-site septic systems, are permitted within an identified
floodplain.
(2) Water supply facilities and systems which are replacement or new [to the extent allowed under Subsection
H(1)] shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of floodwaters.
(3) Sanitary sewer facilities, including on-site septic systems, which are replacement or new [to the extent allowed under Subsection
H(1)] shall be located, designed and constructed in strict compliance with applicable state and Township regulations and to minimize or eliminate flood damages, the infiltration of floodwaters, discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters, and impairment from floodwaters.
The standards and specifications contained in the Uniform Construction
Code, 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 through 405, as amended, including
the edition of the International Building Code and International Building
Code made part of the UCC, shall apply to the extent they are more
restrictive or supplement the requirements of this chapter.