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FEMA IS 279.A: Introduction to Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Buildings Answers

1. What considerations are included in the Preliminary Floodproofing/Retrofitting Preference Matrix?
 A. Risk, off-site flooding, and aesthetic concerns
 B. Aesthetic, high cost, and neighbors’ concerns
 C. Community, high cost, and aesthetic concerns
 D. Technological, risk, and code-required upgrade concerns


2. During the initial homeowner meeting, the designer ascertains the homeowner’s preferences, financial constraints, and any special needs.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


3. The Preliminary Floodproofing/Retrofitting Preference Matrix does the following:
 A. Helps the designer document initial consultation with the homeowner
 B. Helps identify the appropriate retrofitting measures for further consideration
 C. Serves as the starting point for further analysis of potential retrofitting options
 D. All of the above


4. The designer should consider the type of material, resistance to flood damage, and type of construction when choosing a type of retrofitting activity.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


5. When water levels on the exterior of a building exceed water levels on the interior, hydrostatic loads become:
 A. Balanced
 B. Unbalanced


6. Which of the following factors may influence the selection of retrofitting techniques?
 A. Economics
 B. Homeowner’s preferences
 C. Flood characteristics
 D. Building condition
 E. All of the above


7. Define base flood.
 A. Flood having a 10 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year
 B. Flood having a 5 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year
 C. Flood having a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year
 D. Flood having a 100 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year


8. FIRMs are based on a ________ engineering study of meteorological, hydrologic, hydraulic, and historic data and subsequent FIS.
 A. detailed
 B. simple


9. Elevation techniques include:
 A. Elevation on closed foundation systems
 B. Elevation on open foundation systems
 C. Elevation on fill
 D. All of the above


10. Relocation may be cost-prohibitive.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


11. A building’s finished floor elevation might influence potential retrofitting measures.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


12. National model building codes are: I-Codes, IBC, IRC, IEBC, and NFPA.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


13. All HMA elevation, mitigation, reconstruction, and dry floodproofing projects must adhere to the maximum design standards of ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


14. The NFIP is a voluntary program.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


15. Requiring freeboard is one of the higher standards many States and communities can set in addition to those established by the NFIP.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


16. Individual jurisdictions may adopt standards that are __________ NFIP regulations.
 A. more restrictive than
 B. less restrictive than
 C. equally as restrictive as


17. Benefit-cost analysis is part one of the primary steps in the retrofitting process.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


18. When elevation and relocation are not feasible or practical, equipment may be able to be protected by:
 A. Low floodwalls/shields
 B. Anchors and tie-downs that prevent flotation
 C. Backflow valves
 D. All of the above


19. Communities that participate in NFIP typically have FIS and FIRMS.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


20. On a riverine FIRM, the high risk zone is:
 A. Zone A
 B. Zone D
 C. Zone X (shaded and unshaded)
 D. All of the above


21. Non-flood-related hazards need to be evaluated as part of the determination of hazards.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


22. The key factors in determining hydrodynamic forces on a building are:
 A. Floodwater velocity and flow directionality
 B. Orientation of the building
 C. Building geometry
 D. Depth of floodwater
 E. All of the above


23. Wet floodproofing requires the use of flood-resistant materials.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


24. Before assessing homeowner concerns on the Preliminary Floodproofing/Retrofitting Preference Matrix, why might some measures be automatically excluded from consideration?
 A. They are not allowed per local regulatory requirements
 B. They are outdated
 C. The homeowner has concerns about them
 D. None of the above


25. Special needs that should be discussed with the homeowner and may influence the selection of retrofitting techniques include:
 A. Accessibility
 B. Aesthetics
 C. Economics
 D. Risks
 E. All of the above


26. The Geotechnical Considerations Decision Matrix can help identify situations in which ________ conditions are not suitable for certain retrofitting options.
 A. water
 B. soil
 C. air


27. Proper design and anchoring of the foundation is included in the design of a home for seismic loads.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


28. Localized erosion caused by the loss of soil or sediment around flow obstructions.
 A. Backfill
 B. Permeability
 C. Scour


29. A successful completion of a retrofitting project requires only one coordination meeting with a homeowner and designer.
 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE


30. To participate in the NFIP, communities must regulate development in floodplains in accordance with the NFIP and ________ regulations.
 A. State
 B. City
 C. County