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tive elevations, machinery and similar equipment should be raised off the floor or anchored to prevent flotation Particularly valuable and vulnerable contents, such as computer equipment, should be located in areas above flood levels or otherwise securely protected from inunda- tion (eg, raised on stilts or surrounded by a waterproof enclosure). Spatial configuration should also allow for ac- cess to, from, and within the building during flooding Elimination or Protection of openings The most vul- nerable components of the basic building fabric are the points where walls below flood levels are penetrated These points include doors and windows, as well as utility inlets and, in some cases, underground tunnels to adja- cent buildings. Such points should be either located above flood levels or thoroughly waterproofed Ideally, all doors and windows should be above the base flood elevation, with access provided via ramps, stairs, or fill Rubber gaskets can sometimes be used to seal openings below the base flood elevation, and water- proof conduits can be used to protect utility lines. Openings for. doors and windows unavoidably lo- cated below flood levels can be protected by flood shields that would be put in place upon receipt of flood warn- ings. These shields can cover openings ranging from small areas to large display windows. They can sometimes be incorporated in the building's structure, out of the way when not needed and, using hinges and rollers, put in place when necessary. They can also be separate from the structure and stored when not in use Adequate warning time is a prerequisite to the effectiveness of shield& Openings below the base flood elevation in existing buildings can often be eliminated, with alternative entry points provided at higher levels. Windows below flood level can sometimes be replaced by glass bricks, which al- The internal configuration of buildings in flood-prone areas must be organized to minimize damage to con- tents in tbe event of flood- ing. Computers, filUlnclal records, and other vulner- able contents (J) should be placed on upper floors. Mechanicai equipment (2) should be located on upper floors or on tbe roof Ma- chinery or other contents that must be in vulnerable locations (3) should be pro- tected, either by surround- ing it with a water#ght en- closure (3A) or raising it above flooding levels (3B) 1.8 I Detail 3A 0) lletall3B 69