Building Code Documents

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Reducing Flood Losses Through the International Codes: Coordinating Building Codes and Floodplain Management Regulations (2019)

Developed by the International Code Council and FEMA, this guide helps state and local officials integrate the International Codes® (I-Codes) into their current floodplain management regulatory processes related to coordinate with structures, buildings, and other development in special flood hazard areas in order to meet the requirements to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. 

• Chapter 2 describes three approaches for coordinating the I-Codes and local floodplain management regulations and identifies a number of advantages and considerations when relying on the flood provisions of the codes.
• Chapter 3 explains several differences between the National Flood Insurance Program regulations and the I-Code requirements related to specific terminology and provisions. Many requirements in the codes exceed National Flood Insurance Program’s minimum requirements.  In some references, there are provisions which are more specific than the National Flood Insurance Program, especially in the International Building Code®, which references ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction. 
• Chapter 4 contains questions for States and communities to answer to know whether and how to modify existing floodplain management regulations the I-Codes.
• Chapter 5 describes modifications that can be adopted to incorporate higher standards in the I-Codes to further increase resistance to flood damage.
• Chapter 6 introduces model code-coordinated ordinances prepared by FEMA.

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Reducing the Risks of Non-Structural Earthquake Damage—A Practical Guide 
FEMA E-74 | December 2012

This guide describes the sources of nonstructural earthquake damage and effective methods of reducing potential risks associated with such damage. It assists in identifying potential hazards and provides specific guidance on upgrades. This fourth edition of FEMA 74 has been redesigned for use online and expanded to include more examples that feature photos of actual damage and details illustrating correct mitigation measures.

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Seismic Building Codes Provisions

Fact Sheet | October 2020

Earthquakes are some of the most destructive and unpredictable natural phenomena, causing deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage in populated areas. As of 2015, roughly half of all Americans in the conterminous United States are exposed to potentially damaging ground shaking from earthquakes (USGS, 2015). The population exposed to seismic hazard has been steadily growing, leading to a higher potential for losses from seismic events. The estimated earthquake losses per year, known as Annualized Earthquake Losses (AEL), are calculated by FEMA to be $6.1 billion per year in the United States, and 55 metropolitan areas account for 85 percent of the AEL (FEMA, 2017). Review the map in Figure 1 to determine your community’s exposure to seismic hazard.

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Short-Period Building Collapse Series (ZIP)
FEMA P-2139 | December 2020

Recent analytical studies investigating a wide range of modern seismic-force-resisting systems have predicted collapse rates for short-period buildings that are significantly larger than those observed in earthquakes during the past 50 years. This gap between analytically predicted and historically observed collapse rates in known as the short-period building seismic performance paradox. Additionally, analytically predicted collapse rates for short-period buildings are generally larger than maximum collapse rates used in national model codes and standards to establish seismic design requirements.

The FEMA P-2139 series of reports documents a multi-year investigation of the response behavior and collapse performance of different structural systems to identify causes and develop solutions for the short-period building seismic performance paradox. Studies investigated three structural systems: wood light-frame, special reinforced masonry shear wall, and steel special concentrically braced frame systems. Volume 1 summarizes results, conclusions, and recommendations from the three-system.

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Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings 
FEMA 547 | 2006

This publication documents common seismic rehabilitation or retrofitting techniques used for buildings represented in the set of standard building types presented in seismic publications. It includes a wide variety of techniques that have been developed and used for repair and retrofitting of earthquake-damaged and seismically deficient buildings.

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Understanding Substantial Damage in the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, or International Residential Code (April 2017)

This document will help you understand the concept of Substantial Damage (SD) and how to determine if a building meets this criterion. FEMA's Public Assistance Required Minimum Standards Policy found in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Chapter 2 – Section VII.B.2, requires that projects receiving FEMA assistance for repair or replacement incorporate the natural hazards-related provisions of the most recent edition of the International Code Council's^® (ICC^®) International Building Code (IBC^®), International Existing Building Code^® (IEBC^®), and/or International Residential Code^® (IRC^®), known collectively as the I-Codes. The Policy applies to buildings that have received designations of Substantial Structural Damage, Substantial Damage, or are eligible for replacement in accordance with 44 CFR Part 206.226(f).