Technical Bulletins
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Technical Bulletins provide guidance for complying with the NFIP’s building performance requirements contained in Title 44 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at Section 60.3 Floodplain Management Criteria for Flood-prone Areas. The bulletins help state and local officials interpret the NFIP regulations and are also useful resources for homeowners, insurance agents, building professionals, and designers.
- Updates to the Technical Bulletin (May 2022): The Bulletins are changing to modernize and streamline their content and presentation, incorporate relevant information from the latest I-Codes and ASCE Standards, provide updated guidance and best practices observed from post-disaster assessments and address known issues identified by a wide range of stakeholders. These changes intended to improve the TBs’ usability, credibility, and content while presenting them in a streamlined format.
- TB 0, User’s Guide to Technical Bulletins (2021): This User’s Guide is intended to assist those using the Technical Bulletins issued by the FEMA Mitigation Directorate. This Guide contains a Key Word/Subject Index that identifies topics contained in the Technical Bulletins regarding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Reference sources and information about ordering additional publications are also provided.
- TB 1, Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures (2020): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the requirement for openings in below-Base Flood Elevation foundation walls for buildings located in Zones A, AE, A1-A30, AR,AO, and AH.
- TB 2, Flood Damage Resistant Materials Requirements (2008): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the required use of flood-damage resistant construction materials for building components located below the Base Flood Elevation in Special Flood Hazard Areas (both A and V zones).
- TB 3, Requirements for the Design and Certification of Dry Floodproofed Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings (2021): Provides guidance on the NFIP floodplain management requirements for the design and certification of dry floodproofing. This guidance applies to new and substantially improved non-residential buildings and mixed-use buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas identified as Zone A, AE, A1-30, AH and AO on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
- TB 4, Elevator Installation (2019): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the installation of elevators below the Base Flood Elevation in Special Flood Hazard Areas (both A and V zones).
- TB 5, Free-of-Obstruction Requirements (2020): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning obstructions to flood waters below elevated buildings and on building sites in Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V, VE, and V1-V30).
- TB 6, Requirements for Dry Floodproofed Below-Grade Parking Areas Under Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings (2021): Provides guidance on NFIP floodplain management requirements for the design and certification of dry floodproofed below-grade parking areas. This guidance applies to new and substantially improved non-residential buildings and mixed-use buildings in SFHA identified as Zone A, AE, A1-30, AH, and AO on FIRMs.
- TB 7, Wet Floodproofing Requirements (2022): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning wet floodproofing of certain types of structures located in Zones A, AE, A1-A30, AR, AO, and AH.
- TB 8, Corrosion Protection for Metal Connectors in Coastal Areas (2019): Provides guidance on the need for, selection of, and use of corrosion-resistant metal connectors for the construction of buildings in coastal areas.
- TB 9, Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls Below Elevated Coastal Buildings (2021): Provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the design and construction of breakaway walls beneath elevated buildings in Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V, VE, and VI-V30).
- TB 10, Ensuring that Structures Built on Fill In or Near Special Flood Hazard Areas are Reasonably Safe From Flooding (2001): This technical bulletin discusses building techniques, including the use of fill, that can be used to ensure structures are reasonably safe from flooding.
- TB 11, Crawlspace Construction for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (2001): Provides interim guidance on minimum NFIP requirements as well as best practices for crawlspace construction in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Updated 11/23/2021