1.1 This specification covers procedures for determining whether building materials are considered flood-damage-resistant for construction intended to comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (44 CFR Part 60.3(a)(3)). It was developed from and is intended to supplement specifications in Technical Bulletin 2 (TB 2) (1)2 for purposes of evaluating building materials that comply with requirements of the applicable building code that are not already recognized as acceptable in accordance with TB 2 (1).

1.2 This specification is intended to reduce the burden on the NFIP by improving the ability to construct flood-resistant buildings and structures and thereby decrease the number and magnitude of flood insurance claims. The goal is to identify materials that, when tested as part of an assembly representative of end use configuration, would be permitted for construction below the base flood elevation (BFE) and not require repair after a flood event due to adverse effects of water immersion and subsequent drying on performance.

1.3 This specification is intended to apply to building materials used in new construction, repair of substantially damaged buildings, and substantial improvement of existing buildings in special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) for construction used in non-habitable spaces below the BFE as permitted by the NFIP (44 CFR Part 60.3(a)(3)) and TB 2 (1) including, but not limited to, building materials used in foundations, walls, floors, ceilings, stairways, exterior cladding, and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items. Evaluation of products for use in habitable spaces is outside of the scope of this specification.

1.4 This specification includes requirements for the purpose of evaluating effects of flooding on specimen physical properties, drying, and the ability to be cleaned.

1.5 The performance of a material specimen under the specified water immersion and drying conditions shall not be construed as fully representative of performance of the material for an actual flood event because actual flood conditions vary in factors such as makeup of water, and depth and duration of immersion, and drying conditions vary by factors such as ambient temperature and humidity.

1.6 Performance requirements vary based on the type of building material and the functions the building material is required to perform. The body of the specification gives general requirements applicable to a broad range of building materials with annexes provided for material-specific requirements.

1.7 Performance requirements for evaluation of other hazards associated with flood damage are outside the scope of this specification. These hazards include, but are not limited to, debris impact, flood velocity, wave action, water pressure differential, scour, erosion, varied biological contaminants in flood water including fungal matter and sewage, and chemical contaminants in floodwater, and other factors that would be adverse to continued use of the structure for its intended purpose including long-term occupant health impacts.

1.8 A commentary to this specification is provided in Appendix X1.

1.9 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to International System of Units (SI) units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.10 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.12 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.