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FEMA IS 280: Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures, FEMA Publication 259, 3rd Edition Answers

1. Slab-on-grade foundations are the most difficult foundation type to elevate.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

2. Which of the following items concerning community regulations and permitting must designers and contractors take into consideration?
A. Local codes
B. Potential system/utility upgrades
C. The impact to adjacent properties
D. All of the above

3. According to the NFIP, in Zone A, the top of the lowest floor must be at or above the Base Flood Elevation, or BFE.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

4. For elevation, relocation, and dry/wet floodproofing measures, documentation of the condition of the existing structure and building systems is important.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

5. Which of the following types of flood-related hazards apply to all sites?
A. Flood forces and loads
B. Flood elevations
C. Site drainage
D. All of the above

6. Interior drainage is a consideration when constructing a levee or floodwall.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

7. A structure’s ability to withstand additional loads created as a result of retrofitting is an important design consideration.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

8. If the retrofit measure requires that the building be brought to current code, new systems/utilities may be required.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

9. Which of the following is not a common reason for making the decision to retrofit?
A. Witnessing or experiencing a flooding event
B. Substantial damages from a flood or other event
C. Aesthetic concerns
D. Implementation of a substantial improvement

10. Which of the following is a retrofitting measure for flood hazards?
A. Wet Floodproofing
B. Floodwalls
C. Relocation
D. All of the Above

11. Buildings must have sufficient strength to resist applied loads from both positive and negative pressures if they will be subject to wind forces.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

12. The NFIP was created to:
A. Guide future development away from flood hazard areas
B. Ensure that new and substantially improved construction is resistant to flood damage
C. Transfer costs of flood losses from taxpayers to owners of flood-prone property
D. All of the above

13. Which of the following is not part of the process for analyzing an existing structure for retrofitting, according to the steps outlined in this presentation?
A. Structural reconnaissance
B. Determining the costs of proposed retrofitting measures
C. Calculating the capacity of the existing structure to resist the additional loads
D. Determining the capacity of the existing footing and foundation system to withstand the loads that would be imposed by the retrofitting measure

14. Land subsidence occurs over more than _____ square miles in ___ States each year.
A. 10,000, 13
B. 15,000, 20
C. 17,000, 45
D. 20,000, 25

15. Preventive flooding measures to historic sites can be carried out without harming the historic character if a general construction contractor supervises the work.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

16. For the most part, ______ and _____ governments are responsible for regulating building and development within floodplains.
 A. State, local
B. Federal, State
C. Federal, local
D. None of the above

17. Determining the hazards that could affect a property is one of the steps in the retrofitting process.
 A. TRUE
B. FALSE

18. When retrofitting a historic site, some flood retrofit measures could negatively impact the historic character of the building. Which of the following should designers consider in choosing the most appropriate retrofitting strategy?
A. The risk of doing nothing
B. The value of the historic structure
C. Whether there is a design treatment that could be applied to the preventive measure to lessen detraction of the site’s historic character
D. Both A and B
E. Both A and C

19. Debris impact is not a parameter that designers and contractors should consider when retrofitting a building.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

20. The NFIP provides federally backed flood insurance to property owners and renters regardless of their location.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

21. Flood frequency is the characteristic that describes the probability that a flood of a specific magnitude will be equaled or exceeded in any given year.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

22. Which of the following are standards that communities may adopt that are higher than those required by the NFIP?
A. Adding freeboard to elevation requirements
B. Requirements regarding the use and type of fill
C. Requirements for building materials and practices
D. All of the above

23. Contractors and designers should consider the following when consulting with homeowners:
A. Reasons for retrofitting
B. Expected benefits of the project
C. Financial considerations
D. All of the above

24. Building performance requirements for the NFIP are found in Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
 A. TRUE
B. FALSE

25. The 2012, 2009, 2006, and 2003 versions of the I-Codes are consistent with the NFIP.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

26. During the design process, it is important to conduct both surface and subsurface investigations.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

27. The flood elevations at the site of a retrofit project must be considered only in coastal flood hazard areas.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

28. Which of the following is an advantage to elevation?
A. Does not alter access to the structure
B. Completely eliminates the flood risk to the structure
 C. Often reduces flood insurance premiums
D. Eliminates the need to evacuate during floods

29. One component of the retrofitting process is conducting a benefit-cost analysis.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

30. Wet floodproofing allows floodwater to enter in such a way that damage to the structure and its contents is minimized.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

31. As of January 2012, ___ of flood-prone communities have adopted codes that meet or exceed the NFIP.
A. 25 percent
B. 47 percent
C. 62 percent
D. 85 percent

32. Three types of site-specific flood-related hazards that should be considered include closed basin lakes, alluvial fan areas, and movable bed streams.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

33. The Preliminary Floodproofing/Retrofitting Preference Matrix helps designers and contractors ensure the homeowner signs off on all elements of the project.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

34. Which of the following is not a consideration when retrofitting for flood events?
A. Codes, ordinances, and regulations
B. Consultation with professionals for design and construction
C. Occupation of retrofitted structures during a flood event
D. Maintenance of retrofitting measures should be included in plans

35. Which of the following is not a geotechnical consideration to review during site inspections?
A. Potential for scour
B. Saturated soil forces
C. High water marks
D. Permeability

36. When evaluating sites for possible relocation, which of the following are considerations for a new site?
A. Utility extension feasibility
B. Permitting feasibility for the house on the new lot
C. Accessibility for the homeowners as well as relocation/construction crews
D. All of the above

37. What are the three types of site surveys generally included in a field investigation?
A. Topographic, hazard, site utilities
B. Homeowner, structure, topographic
C. Structure, topographic, site utilities
D. Homeowner, hazard, structure

38. Once flood retrofitting is complete, flood insurance is no longer needed.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

39. A movable bed stream is defined as a stream for which erosion, sedimentation, or channel migration cause changes in the stream sufficient to change the flood elevation of the floodplain.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE