The New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) has released "Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk," a comprehensive guide for New York City owners of buildings in flood zones.
Part of the city’s response to widespread flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the manual offers retrofitting strategies that will enable home and property owners to reduce the risk of damage and disruption from coastal flooding.
Recent Congressional legislation reforming the National Flood Insurance Program will increase flood insurance premiums for buildings that are not retrofitted, according to a city press release. These increased premiums will directly impact neighborhood stability and housing affordability, especially for working class New Yorkers, the release says.
The manual contains some simple and low-cost actions New Yorkers living in the flood zone can take now to begin to adapt and protect their homes against flooding.
“Incorporating these improvement will help protect our city’s buildings against potential future extreme climatic events,” says Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick D. Chandler. “The Department of Buildings will provide dedicated plan examiners and inspectors to work with and support home and business owners in redesigning their structures to meet the new federally mandated guidelines.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2015
Codes should be updated to reflect lessons learned from recent extreme weather events
More can be done to boost resiliency to flooding, extended power outages.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2015
Los Angeles launches ‘Drop 100′ campaign to reduce water use in commercial buildings
Goal is to save 100 million gallons annually.
Codes and Standards | Dec 1, 2015
More than 50 design, construction, and real estate firms urge action on climate change
Call for policymakers to move on one of the ‘greatest economic opportunities of the 21st Century’
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2015
Chicago suburb considers bird collision deterrent requirement on all new buildings
The rule would mandate that new commercial, multifamily structures comply with LEED pilot program.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2015
Anchorage may raise building height restrictions that would block precious winter sunlight
Controversial measure is part of plan to spur development.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2015
Appellate court enacts nationwide stay on controversial expansion of Clean Water Act
New EPA rule suspended until court cases settled.
Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2015
New California law means commercial building benchmarking program will be implemented
Multifamily housing to be included, a first for a U.S. state.
Codes and Standards | Oct 2, 2015
New ASHRAE guideline for commissioning existing systems and assemblies
Focuses on optimum facility and system operation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 18, 2015
New RELi standard addresses disaster resilience
Based on LEED model, may help lower insurance rates
Building Materials | Aug 28, 2015
Structural steel buildings specification available for second public review
Next year's specification open for comments until Sept. 21