scope:

This standard encompasses the design and performance requirements for flood mitigation equipment for use in controlling riverine, tidal, or rainfall related flood conditions. Flood mitigation equipment shall be FM Approved for specific flood protection applications which are designated and categorized by:

• Function (permanent or contingent)

• Operation (active or passive)

• For flood barriers, the intended application for protection (opening vs. perimeter)

This standard sets performance requirements for flood mitigation equipment.

Flood glazing, as defined in Section 1.9, is considered a type of flood barrier that may be evaluated for opening barrier or perimeter barrier applications. The evaluation of flood glazing shall include the seal made between the glazing panel and the structural frame as well as the seal made between the frame and the structural opening.

For the purposes of evaluation to this standard and applying the appropriate protocol, sluice gates, as defined in Section 1.9, are considered a type of flood barrier for opening barrier applications.

Penetration sealing devices include products used to seal the area around a surface penetration or the area within the penetration itself, the later which includes pipe plugs.

Flood barriers for opening barrier applications are evaluated and tested for quasi-static flood conditions.

Flood barriers for perimeter barrier applications are evaluated and tested for quasi-static and riverine flood conditions.

Flood barriers for coastal applications are not included in the scope of this standard. Protection from tidal-related flood events is included in the scope of the standard only for applications away from the coast where only quasi-static flood conditions are present.

Wind loading effects on flood barriers are not included in the scope of the evaluation. A full engineering analysis must be conducted by persons acceptable by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine possible wind loading, as well as combined hydrostatic and wind loading, on a barrier structure.

FM Approval of flood barriers applies only at water levels up to the maximum depth rating, as listed in the FM Approval Guide. Water levels exceeding this amount are outside the scope of Approval.

Flood mitigation pump types included in the scope of this standard consist of submersible and pedestal type sump pumps as well as self-priming pumps.

Flood mitigation pumps are evaluated and Approved as pump packages only, complete with pump, driver, controller, coupling, and other components listed in Appendix C.

FM Approval to this Standard is limited to the flood mitigation product. Flood waters may produce high hydrostatic or hydrodynamic loading on a protected structure. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that an external wall structure (or similar) is able to withstand anticipated flood loading, including any site specific concerns. Some wall construction assemblies often are able to withstand 3 ft (0.9 m) or less of flood loading without needing reinforcement or additional waterproofing. A full engineering analysis must be conducted by persons acceptable by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

In addition to the general design requirements specified in this Standard for FM Approval, local construction codes and/or agency regulations must also be considered in the design of a flood mitigation product or system.

Approval Standards are intended to verify that the product described will meet stated conditions of performance, safety, and quality useful to the ends of property protection/conservation.

Purpose

This standard describes FM Approvals requirements for flood mitigation equipment for use in riverine, tidal, or rainfall related flood conditions.

FM Approvals criteria may include, but are not limited to, component and system testing performance requirements, examination of manufacturing facility(ies), audit of quality assurance procedures, and a surveillance audit program.