N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC G304: Section BC G304: Post-FIRM Construction, Horizontal Enlargements and Substantial Improvements

G304.1 A-Zone construction standards.

In addition to the requirements of ASCE 24, the following standards shall apply to post-FIRM construction, horizontal enlargements and substantial improvements located within A-Zones, other than Coastal A-Zones.

G304.1.1 Residential.

For buildings or structures that are residential (for flood zone purposes), all post-FIRM new buildings, horizontal enlargements and substantial improvements shall comply with the applicable requirements of this appendix and ASCE 24, and shall be elevated as follows:

1.

Lowest floor. The lowest floor, including the basement (for flood zone purposes), shall be elevated to or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 2-1;

2.

Enclosures below the design flood elevation. Enclosed spaces below the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 2-1, shall be useable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, storage, or crawlspace, and shall be wet floodproofed in accordance with ASCE 24. Breakaway walls are not required in A-Zones;

2.1. A restrictive declaration noting the above restriction shall be filed with the City Register or County Clerk, and the City Register File Number (CRFN) shall be identified in the permit application and on the certificate of occupancy.

3.

Under-floor spaces. The finished ground level of an under-floor space, such as a crawl space, shall be equal to or higher than the outside finished ground level on at least one side;

4.

Materials. Only flood-damage-resistant materials and finishes shall be utilized below the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 5-1;

5.

Utilities and equipment. Utilities and attendant equipment shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, or with the exception of the items below, shall be constructed so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding in accordance with ASCE 24.

5.1

Fire protection systems and equipment. The following fire protection systems and equipment shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, except that where the system or equipment or portion thereof serves only spaces located below such design flood elevation, the system or equipment or portion thereof may be located at or above such design flood elevation:

5.1.1. Sprinkler control valves that are not outside stem and yoke valves;

5.1.2. Fire standpipe control valves that are not outside stem and yoke valves;

5.1.3. Sprinkler booster pumps and fire pumps;

5.1.4. Dry pipe valve-related electrically operated alarm appurtenances;

5.1.5. Alarm control panels for water and non-water fire extinguishing systems;

5.1.6. Alarm control panels for sprinkler systems, pre-action sprinkler systems, deluge sprinkler systems, and combined dry pipe and pre-action sprinkler systems;

5.1.7. Electrically operated waterflow detection devices serving sprinkler systems and

5.1.8. Air compressors serving sprinkler systems and pre-action sprinkler systems.

5.2

Fire alarm systems and components. Where a zoning indicator panel is provided at the main building entrance in accordance with Section 907.6.3.1 of this code and such panel is located at or below 5 feet (1524 mm) above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, at least one secondary zoning indicator panel complying with the following requirements shall be provided:

5.2.1. The secondary zoning indicator panel, associated controls, power supplies and means of transferring control shall be provided at least 5 feet (1524 mm) above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, in a location accessible to responding Fire Department personnel and approved by the department and the Fire Department and

5.2.2. Where the secondary zoning indicator panel or associated controls are only operable upon transfer of control from another zoning indicator panel, such transfer shall be by a means that is approved by the Fire Department.

5.3

Fuel-oil piping systems. The following requirements shall apply to fuel-oil piping systems, as defined by Section 202 of the New York City Mechanical Code:

5.3.1. Fill piping that does not terminate in a watertight terminal approved by the department shall terminate at least 3 feet (914 mm) above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1 and

5.3.2. Normal vent piping and emergency vent piping shall terminate at least 3 feet (914 mm) above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1.

5.4

Plumbing systems and components. The structure shall comply with the following requirements:

5.4.1.

Relief vents and fresh air intakes. Relief vents and fresh air intakes serving building traps in accordance with Section 1002.6 of the New York City Plumbing Code shall be carried above grade and shall terminate in a screened outlet that is located outside of the building and at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1 and

5.4.2.

Reduced pressure zone backflow preventers.

5.4.2.1. Primary reduced pressure principle backflow preventers complying with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7.1.

5.4.2.2. Secondary reduced pressure principle backflow preventers complying with Section 608.13.2 of the New York City Plumbing Code and backflow preventers with intermediate atmospheric vents complying with Section 608.13.3 of the New York City Plumbing Code shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1.

5.4.3.

Relief vents for gas service, equipment, and appliance pressure regulators. Relief vents for gas service, equipment, and appliance pressure regulators complying with the New York City Fuel Gas Code shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7.1.

6.

Certifications. Applications shall contain applicable certifications in accordance with Section G104.5; and

7.

Special inspections. Special inspections shall be as required by Section G107.

G304.1.2 Nonresidential.

For buildings or structures that are nonresidential (for flood zone purposes), all post-FIRM new buildings, horizontal enlargements and substantial improvements shall comply with the applicable requirements of this appendix and ASCE 24, and shall comply with either of the following:

1.

Elevation option. The structure shall comply with Items 1 through 7 of Section G304.1.1; or

2.

Dry floodproofing option. The structure shall comply with the following:

2.1.

Elevation of dry floodproofing. The structure shall be dry floodproofed to or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 6-1;

2.2.

Dwelling units, patient care areas (for flood zone purposes) and sleeping areas. Where dwelling units, patient care areas (for flood zone purposes) or spaces intended to be used by persons for sleeping purposes are located in a building utilizing the dry floodproofing option, the following additional requirements shall be met:

2.2.1. All rooms and spaces within dwelling units, patient care areas (for flood zone purposes) and all spaces intended to be used by persons for sleeping purposes shall be located at or above the design flood elevation;

2.2.2. A restrictive declaration noting the above restriction shall be filed with the City Register or County Clerk, and the City Register File Number (CRFN) shall be identified in the permit application and on the certificate of occupancy.

2.3.

Utilities and equipment. Utilities and attendant equipment shall be located within the dry floodproofed enclosure, or may be located outside the dry floodproofed enclosure provided that they are located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1 or are constructed so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding in accordance with ASCE 24.

2.3.1

Additional requirements. Notwithstanding the above, utilities and attendant equipment, listed in Items 5.1 through 5.4 of Section G304.1.1, shall not be located in dry floodproofed enclosures and shall be elevated in accordance with Section G304.1.1.

2.4.

Fire department connections. Dry floodproofing measures including temporary shields, stairs and ramps shall be located and arranged so as to allow hose lines to be attached to the inlets of fire department connections without interference in accordance with Section 6.4.5 of NFPA 14, as modified by Appendix Q of this code.

2.5.

Certifications. Applications shall contain applicable certifications in accordance with Section G104.3.2; and

2.6.

Special inspections. Special inspections shall be as required by Section G107.

G304.2 Coastal high-hazard area construction standards.

In addition to the requirements of ASCE 24, the following standards shall apply to post-FIRM construction, horizontal enlargements and substantial improvements located within coastal high-hazard area.

1.

Foundation. The lowest floor shall be elevated on adequately anchored pilings or columns and securely anchored to such piles or columns to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement resulting from wind and flood loads acting simultaneously on all building components, and other load requirements of Chapter 16 and this appendix.

2.

Lowest horizontal member. The lowest portion of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) shall be at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 4-1.

3.

Below the lowest horizontal member. Spaces below the lowest horizontal member shall be either:

3.1. Free of obstructions; or

3.2. Enclosed with breakaway walls providing unconditioned space useable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, storage or crawl space. Such breakaway walls shall:

3.2.1. Be of an open lattice type construction only;

3.2.2. Meet the load requirements of Section 5.3.3 of ASCE 7; and

3.2.3. Meet the additional requirements of ASCE 24.

4.

Materials. Only flood-damage-resistant materials and finishes shall be utilized below the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 5-1;

5.

Utilities and equipment. Utilities and attendant equipment shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, or shall be constructed so as to both resist the wave action and prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding in accordance with ASCE 24;

5.1.

Additional requirements. The structure shall comply with Items 5.1 through 5.4 of Section G304.1.1.

6.

Prohibitions. The following shall be prohibited in coastal high-hazard areas:

6.1. Development, including land disturbing activities, seaward of the reach of mean high tide;

6.2. Use of fill for structural support of buildings; and

6.3. Man-made alterations of sand dunes that would increase potential damage to buildings.

7.

Certifications. Applications shall contain applicable certifications in accordance with Section G104.2.3; and

8.

Special inspections. Special inspections shall be as required by Section G107.

G304.3 Coastal A-Zone construction standards.

In addition to the requirements of ASCE 24, all post-FIRM new buildings, horizontal enlargements and substantial improvements in a Coastal A-Zone shall comply with the coastal high-hazard area construction standards of Section G304.2.

Exceptions: The following structural systems shall be permitted in a Coastal A-Zone:

1.

Wave-resisting stem wall foundation. Stem walls supporting a floor system above, and backfilled with soil or gravel to the underside of the floor system, shall be permitted in Coastal A-Zones. The design and construction of the shallow foundation system shall comply with the following:

1.1. The underside of such floor system shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 4-1.

1.2. Stem walls enclosing areas below the design flood elevation shall not be permitted. Stem walls shall be designed to transfer all vertical and lateral forces to the slab above and to the foundation elements below;

1.3. The design shall consider all forces resulting from flooding, including wave action, debris impact, erosion, and local scour;

1.4. The design shall consider all forces resulting from soil pressure behind the walls, including the effect of hydrostatic loads, and all live and dead surcharge loads from the slab above;

1.5. Flood openings shall not be required in stem walls constructed in accordance with this section;

1.6. Where soils are susceptible to erosion and local scour, stem walls shall be supported by deep footings;

1.7. Shallow foundations including spread footing, mat and raft foundations shall be designed to prevent sliding, uplift, or overturning when exposed to the combination of loads in ASCE 24, Section 1.6.2.

2.

Wave-resisting dry floodproofing wall and foundation system. Buildings that are nonresidential (for flood zone purposes) and that are located in Coastal A-Zones shall be permitted to be dry floodproofed in accordance with Section G304.1.2. Such structure shall be dry floodproofed to or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 6-1. Flood zone compliance plans shall include calculations demonstrating that the foundation and building, including flood shields if provided, will resist the wave action, including the combination of loads in ASCE 24, Section 1.6, to or above the design flood elevation.

G304.4 Construction standards for shaded X-Zones.

In shaded X-Zones, flood design class 4 buildings, as defined in ASCE 24, Table 1-1, shall comply with the requirements of this appendix and the applicable provisions of ASCE 24 for A-Zone construction.

G304.4.1 Alterations to certain flood design class 4 buildings.

Where existing emergency vehicle garages and fire, rescue, ambulance, and police stations located within shaded X-Zones are undergoing either a substantial improvement or an increase in the degree of noncompliance as such term is described in Item 10 of Section G102.1, they shall comply with this appendix to the maximum extent practicable as described in Sections G304.4.1.1 through G304.4.1.4.

G304.4.1.1 Existing emergency vehicle garages and fire, rescue, ambulance, and police stations to remain.

Where an existing emergency vehicle garage or fire, rescue, ambulance, or police station building is undergoing substantial improvement or an increase in the degree of noncompliance, such existing emergency vehicle storage area shall be permitted to be located below the design flood elevation, provided such space is wet floodproofed in accordance with ASCE 24 and an emergency action plan is filed with the department in accordance with ASCE 24, Section 6.2.3. Such emergency action plan shall include actionable directives for the relocation of such emergency vehicles in advance of a flood event.

G304.4.1.2 Equipment within existing emergency vehicle garages and fire, rescue, ambulance, and police stations.

Where an existing emergency vehicle garage or fire, rescue, ambulance, or police station building is undergoing substantial improvement or an increase in the degree of noncompliance, equipment necessary to support operations of such facilities may be located below the design flood elevation where elevation of such equipment to the design flood elevation is physically unfeasible. Such equipment shall be elevated to the maximum extent practicable.

G304.4.1.3 Conversion of space below the design flood elevation.

Conversion of existing nonoccupiable space to occupiable space without such space being in full compliance with this appendix shall be prohibited.

G304.4.1.4 Subgrade spaces to remain.

Where an existing emergency vehicle garage or fire, rescue, ambulance, or police station building is undergoing substantial improvement or an increase in the degree of noncompliance, the existing subgrade space shall be provided with a sump pump system, designed to be fully submerged and remain operational post-flood-event to remove flood waters after a storm surge has receded. Such pump system shall be designed with the pump controller located above the design flood elevation and all electrical wiring below the design flood elevation shall be listed and marked for use with a submersible pump. The pump system shall be connected to a standby power source, which shall be elevated above the design flood elevation.

G304.5 Additional construction standards with respect to connections for temporary external generators, boilers and chillers.

In addition to the other requirements of this appendix, connections for temporary external generators, boilers and chillers shall be provided in accordance with Sections G304.5.1 through G304.5.4.

G304.5.1 Group I-1 and adult homes, enriched housing, community residences and intermediate care facilities.

An occupancy that is classified as Group I-1, or that is an adult home, enriched housing, community residence or intermediate care facility and classified as Group R pursuant to an exception to Section 308.3.1 or 308.3.2, shall comply with the following requirements:

1.

Connections for temporary external generators. Electrical connections shall be provided allowing for the connection of temporary external generators capable of providing power for at least 72 hours for, at a minimum, the following systems:

1.1. Exit signs and means of egress illumination required by Chapter 10 and serving such occupancy;

1.2. Fire alarm systems serving such occupancy;

1.3. For buildings having occupied floors located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, at least one elevator that serves all floors; and

1.4. Lighting in such occupancy, sufficient to maintain illumination in accordance with Section 1205.3, for (i) spaces primarily used for the provision of medical services to persons, including, but not limited to, consultation, evaluation, monitoring and treatment services and (ii) spaces intended to be used by persons for sleeping purposes.

Exception: Connections for temporary external generators shall not be required for buildings with emergency or standby power systems that are permanently installed above the design flood elevation specified in Table 7-1 of ASCE 24 and capable of providing power for at least 72 hours to the systems identified in Item 1 of Section G304.5.1. Natural gas shall be a permitted fuel supply.

2.

Flood protection for temporary external generator connections. Electrical connections installed in accordance with Item 1 of Section G304.5.1 shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in Table 7-1 of ASCE 24.

3.

Emergency connection plan. Prior to sign-off of work by the department, a plan shall be submitted to the department that identifies how the temporary external generators will be connected and capable of providing power for the occupancy in accordance with Item 1 of Section G304.5.1 within 72 hours after failure of the normal power supply.

G304.5.2 Group I-2 hospitals.

An occupancy that is a Group I-2 hospital shall comply with the following requirements:

1.

Connections for temporary external generators. Electrical connections shall be provided allowing for the connection of temporary external generators capable of providing power for at least 72 hours for, at a minimum, the following systems:

1.1. All electrical services serving such occupancy for which emergency or standby power must be provided in accordance with any other applicable local, state or federal law or rule; and

1.2. Air conditioning and cooling systems serving such occupancy, sufficient to maintain temperature and humidity in accordance with Section 1204, for (i) spaces primarily used for the provision of medical services to persons, including, but not limited to, consultation, evaluation, monitoring and treatment services and (ii) spaces intended to be used by persons for sleeping purposes.

Exception: Connections for temporary external generators shall not be required for buildings that have emergency or standby power systems that are permanently installed above the design flood elevation specified in Table 7-1 of ASCE 24 and capable of providing power for at least 72 hours to the systems identified in Item 1 of Section G304.5.2. Natural gas shall be a permitted fuel supply.

2.

Connections for temporary external boilers and chillers. Where boiler and chiller plants are located below the design flood elevation specified in Table 7-1 of ASCE 24 and serve (i) spaces primarily used for the provision of medical services to persons, including, but not limited to, consultation, evaluation, monitoring and treatment services or (ii) spaces intended to be used by persons for sleeping purposes, connections shall be provided to allow for the connection of temporary external boilers and chillers capable of maintaining temperature and humidity for such spaces in accordance with Section 1204 for at least 72 hours.

3.

Flood protection for temporary external generator, boiler and chiller connections. Electrical connections installed in accordance with Item 1 of Section G304.5.2 and connections installed in accordance with Item 2 of Section G304.5.2 shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in Table 7-1 of ASCE 24.

4.

Emergency connection plan. Prior to sign-off of work by the department, the following shall be submitted to the department:

4.1. For an occupancy required to comply with Item 1 of Section G304.5.2, a plan that identifies how the temporary external generators will be connected and capable of providing power for the occupancy in accordance with such item within 72 hours after failure of the normal power supply; and

4.2. For an occupancy required to comply with Item 2 of Section G304.5.2, a plan that identifies how the temporary external boilers and chillers will be connected and capable of maintaining temperature and humidity for specified spaces in accordance with Section 1204 within 72 hours after failure of the primary boiler and chiller plants.

G304.5.3 Group I-2 nursing homes.

An occupancy that is a Group I-2 nursing home shall comply with Section G304.5.2.

Exception: Such occupancy is not required to comply with Items 1.2, 2 and 4.2 of Section G304.5.2.

G304.5.4 Group I-2 occupancies, other than hospitals and nursing homes.

A Group I-2 occupancy, other than a hospital or a nursing home, shall comply with Section G304.5.1.