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I I . II II II II II I II I II II II II II II II II I For communities in the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Insurance Administration limits flood-proofing of non-residential structures within the Primary Flood Hazard Areas to either a FP-l or FP-2 classification. NEW INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES Flood-proofing can often be used effectively for manufacturing and industrial type buildings. These structures are usually large, and are of structurally sound masonry or concrete which lend themselves to adequate and economic flood-proofing. Industrial plants and their contents represent high capital investments, and costs of effective flood-proofing measures can be justified. Procedures for these structures involving human intervention can usually be depended upon since labor forces and heavy equipment are generally available. Where industrial plants are exposed to floods of long duration, provision should be made for continuous accessibility of personnel and materials, and for uninterrupted utility services. Some types of industrial structures such as parking garages and loading or transfer areas can be evacuated of contents on short notice and thus may be considered to have a low damage potential. These may be designed to be sub- ject to flood inundation. Prime factors in determining when or if these areas should be allowed to be flooded are the amount of warning time prior to the flood which can be anticipated, and the importance of the area in relation to the orderly operation of the rest of the complex. For communities in the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Insurance Administration limits flood-proofing of non-residential structures within the Primary Flood Hazard Areas to either a FP-l or FP-2 classification. EXISTING STRUCTURES Some existing structures can be flood-proofed, but this must be done with con- siderable care. For example, a flood prone residence or commercial structure could be made watertight, only to have the walls collapse by outside water pressure or the basement slab destroyed by hydrostatic uplift. In extreme cases the entire structure could become buoyant. The resultant damage could be far greater than would have occurred had the building been allowed to be unundated. The sealing of existing residential or commercial structures against flooding is generally impractical because of the high cost of strengthening walls and floors. Making all openings watertight would be required and the relocation of mechanical equipment and appliances may be necessary. In the case of frame structures, the most feasible flood-proofing may consist of raising the building to a level above the RFD by placing it on piers or piles, on a new foundation, or on a fill. 13 ~