Does the National Flood Insurance Program allow light switches and electrical outlets below the base flood elevation in enclosures and garages?
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) limits switches, wiring, and receptacles below the base flood elevation (BFE) to the minimum necessary for life safety. Examples include smoke detectors, simple light fixtures, and switches and receptacles required for areas used for building access, parking, and storage. Floodwaters can corrode and short-circuit electrical system components, possibly leading to electrical shock. When subjected to high-velocity flow, electrical panels can be torn from their attachments by the force of breaking waves or the impact of floating debris. Some guidelines to follow are:
- Install switches, receptacles, and wiring below the BFE on circuits fed from ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) breakers to ensure that the entire circuit is de-energized when infiltrated by floodwaters.
- Install service connections (e.g., electrical lines, panels, and meters; telephone junction boxes; cable junction boxes) above the BFE. If the house is subject to coastal flooding, service connections should be installed on the landward side of interior piles or other vertical support members.
- Use drip loops to minimize water entry at penetrations.
- Never attach electrical components to breakaway walls.
- If a portion of the area is above the BFE, install wiring and receptacles at a height above the BFE consistent with wet floodproofing methods.
Check with the local jurisdiction for additional requirements or restrictions on electrical equipment below the BFE.
For more information, see:
- FEMA. 2017. Protecting Building Utility Systems from Flood Damage: Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems. FEMA P-348, Edition 2 Washington, DC, February 2017.
- FEMA. 2010. Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Fact Sheet 8.3, Protecting Utilities. FEMA P-499. Washington, DC. December 2010.