Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures
This online engineering PDH course provides guidance for the design, selection, and review of FEMA compliant flood openings.
The national flood insurance program (NFIP) has a primary goal of protecting buildings from flood damage. In order to meet this goal, the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) has specific design requirements for new construction, as well as substantially damaged or substantially improved structures within special flood hazard areas. One key component of minimizing damage during the base flood is the use of openings in foundation and enclosure walls in order to prevent structural collapse due to hydrostatic forces.
FEMA has established a methodology to design these flood openings that will lower a buildings vulnerability to flood damage. Flood openings perform the critical task of equalizing water levels on the inside and outside of walls. This results in a reduction in the potential for differential pressure against walls that could result in failure. All walls and enclosed areas below the base flood must meet certain criteria in order to be in compliance with the NFIP.
This 3 PDH online course is intended for practicing engineers, contractors, developers, governmental agencies, regulators, and all other personnel involved with the design, permitting and approval of structures near the floodplain.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the importance of flood openings
- Familiarizing with the requirements for flood openings
- Learning how flood openings affect flood insurance rates
- Learning how to identify, select, size and locate flood openings
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review FEMA publication titled, "Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls Of Enclosures" (Technical Bulletin 1, August 2008).
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.