SECTION 1612 FLOOD LOADS
* * *
1612.2 Design and construction.
* * *
[Add Section B-1612.2.1 as follows:]
B-1612.2.1 Elevation requirements for Philadelphia. The minimum elevation requirements shall be 1-1/2 feet (457 mm) above the base flood elevation or as specified in ASCE 24, whichever is higher.
Exception: Accessory structures need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry where they comply with all of the following requirements:
1. The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or activity;
2. The floor area shall not exceed 200 square feet;
3. The structure will have a low damage potential;
4. The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of flood waters;
5. Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the elevation requirements of Section B-1612.2.1;
6. The structure shall not contain permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc.;
7. The structure shall not be used for storage of acetone; ammonia; benzene; calcium carbide; carbon disulfide; celluloid; chlorine; hydrochloric acid; hydrocyanic acid; magnesium; nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen; petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, and the like); phosphorus; potassium; sodium; sulfur and sulfur products; pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides); or radioactive materials;
8. The structure shall not contain sanitary facilities; and
9. The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered design professional, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
a. minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
b. the bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade
c. openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc. or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
[Delete Section 1612.3 and replace as follows:]
B-1612.3 Establishment of flood hazard areas. To establish flood hazard areas, the governing body shall adopt a flood hazard map and supporting data. The flood hazard map shall include, at a minimum, areas of special flood hazard as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in an engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study for The City of Philadelphia”, dated December, 1978, as amended or revised with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) and related supporting data along with any revisions thereto. The adopted flood hazard map and supporting data are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be part of this Section.
* * *
