The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction and development proposed within any identified floodplain area.
(A) Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1) Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building perimeter from all points;
(2) Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills shall not be permitted;
(3) Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring or settling;
(4) Be no steeper than one vertical to three horizontal feet unless substantiated data, justifying steeper slopes, are submitted to, and approved by the Floodplain Administrator; and
(5) Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
(B) Drainage facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets, and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
(C) Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.
(1) All new or replacement water supply and sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of flood waters.
(2) Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into flood waters.
(3) No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any identified floodplain area.
(4) The design and construction provisions of the UCC and FEMA #348, Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damages and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code 2009 Edition, or the most recent revision thereof, shall be utilized.
(D) Other utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
(E) Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
(F) Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life and not listed in § 151.063, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
(G) Placement of buildings and structures. All buildings and structures shall be designed, located and constructed so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum effect upon the flow and height of floodwater.
(H) Anchoring.
(1) All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement.
(2) All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks and other similar objects or components located below the regulatory flood elevation shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
(I) Floors, walls and ceilings.
(1) Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain without causing structural damage to the building.
(2) Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a “marine” or “water- resistant” variety.
(3) Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed of materials that are “water-resistant” and will withstand inundation.
(4) Windows, doors and other components at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be made of metal or other “water-resistant” material.
(J) Paints and adhesives.
(1) Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of “marine” or “water-resistant” quality.
(2) Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a “marine” or “water- resistant” variety.
(3) All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets and the like) used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be finished with a “marine” or “water-resistant” paint or other finishing material.
(K) Electrical components.
(1) Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the base flood elevation.
(2) Separate electrical circuits shall serve any area below the base flood elevation and shall be fed from above the base flood elevation.
(L) Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilating units, and other electrical, mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus shall not be located below the regulatory flood elevation.
(M) Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges from the system into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water infiltration occurs.
(N) Uniform Construction Code coordination. The standards and specifications contained in 34 Pa Code (Chapters 401-405), as amended and not limited to the following provisions, shall apply to the above and other sections of this chapter, to the extent that they are more restrictive and supplement the requirements of this chapter:
(1) International Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: §§ 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612 and 3402; and
(2) International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: §§ R104, R105, R109 and R323.
(Ord. 177, passed 2-24-2015)