Recently, FEMA decided to take a different approach to a common issue in flood resistant design: evaluating flood damage-resistant materials. Using existing guidance as a starting point and working with partners in the construction and restoration industries, codes and standards organizations, academia, and even international entities, FEMA developed a technical pre-standard for evaluating the physical and aesthetic performance of construction materials in certain flood conditions. The pre-standard assigns quantitative requirements for strength, drying time, dimensional stability, and the ability to be cleaned and refinished that will allow materials to be evaluated based on scientific evidence and accepted engineering practices. FEMA’s goal is to have the pre-standard adopted as a consensus standard, such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and then incorporated by reference into the model building codes.

In flood resistant construction, the way materials are installed is as important as the materials that are used to build the building. One of the biggest benefits of the pre-standard is it allows for the consideration of building assemblies in addition to individual materials. In other words, the pre-standard evaluates the performance of a whole wall rather than the individual components. This allows manufacturers, contractors, and local officials to understand the importance of connections and adhesives in the ultimate performance of a structure during a flood.

The development of the pre-standard has raised a number of technical questions. For instance, the pre-standard addresses the mechanical and aesthetic properties of building materials and assemblies, but does not address the short- or long-term health impacts associated with contaminated floodwaters or mold. FEMA continues to research and address these and other issues, and welcomes any feedback on the pre-standard. For further information, or for comments on the pre-standard, please email [email protected].