FLOOD03186

• County: Statewide
• Community: All
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Benefit-Cost Analysis of Hazard Mitigation Projects
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Prepared For: FEMA
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

VERSION 1.0 1/12/95

B-C PROGRAM: Level One Analysis

Contents
Description '

Total Value of
Contents

The demolition threshold damage percentage is an important policy
parameter which may significantly affect the benefit-cost results
because it may have a major impact on the depth-damage function.
Therefore the demolition threshold damage percentages should be
chosen carefully in accord with the condition and viability of the existing
building. For example, a brand new city hall building would probably be
repaired from a higher level of damage than would a decrepit building
badly in need of refurbishing.

YELLOW Block (Result). The demolition threshold in dollars of
damage is calculated from the entered percentage and the building
replacement value.

BUILDING CONTENTS

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PINK Block (Information Only). The Contents Description block is
for a brief summary of the building's contents (e.g., computers, office
furniture).

GREEN Block (Data Input). Total Value of Contents is the estimated
total value of the building's contents, including furniture, carpet,
equipment, computers, supplies, etc.

The exact value of building contents is rarely known. Estimates can be
obtained from owners, or from a general knowledge of the nature of the
contents and common sense. For example, an art museum or a
building filled with computers will have a much higher contents value
than a building storing used bricks or recycled newspapers.

For most buildings, the value of contents is significantly smaller than the
building value. However, in some cases where contents are unusually
valuable (e.g., an art museum) or usually vulnerable to flood damages,
then avoiding contents damage may be as important or more important
than avoiding building damages in determining total project benefits.

Default estimates of the Contents Depth-Damage Function (i.e.,
contents damage as a percentage of total contents value) are based on
the building type selected. To view the default contents depth-damage
function for the building type selected, choose Level Two Data I
Contents Depth-Damage Function from the Benefit-Cost Program
menu; for more information see page 8-8.

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