A contractor is building in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The base flood elevation is 12 feet, and the contractor plans to set the lowest floor at 13.5 feet. What is the freeboard?
Correct Answer
D) 1.5 feet
Freeboard is the additional height above the base flood elevation. In this case: 13.5 feet (lowest floor) - 12 feet (base flood elevation) = 1.5 feet of freeboard.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Freeboard is calculated as the vertical distance between the base flood elevation (BFE) and the lowest floor elevation of a structure. This represents the additional safety margin built into the structure above the minimum flood protection level. In this problem, the lowest floor is positioned at 13.5 feet while the BFE is 12 feet, creating a freeboard of 1.5 feet. This freeboard provides extra protection against flood damage and may be required by local ordinances or insurance considerations.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 2.0 feet
1.0 feet would result from incorrectly calculating 13 - 12 = 1.0, suggesting the lowest floor was mistakenly read as 13 feet instead of 13.5 feet.
Option C: 0.5 feet
2.0 feet would result from incorrectly calculating 14 - 12 = 2.0, suggesting the lowest floor elevation was misread as 14 feet instead of 13.5 feet.
Memory Technique
Remember 'FREE-board' as the FREE space above the flood line - it's the extra height that keeps you FREE from flood damage. Always subtract BFE from floor elevation.
Reference Hint
Florida Building Code, Chapter 15 - Flood-Resistant Construction, or FEMA guidelines on flood zone construction requirements
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