FEMA 480 TESTED EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE!!PASSED!!
A building official finds it easier to read an old flood map prepared on an aerial
photography by the Corps of Engineers. He doesn't want to use the current FIRM
because it doesn't show all the buildings and features that the photograph does. Will the
buyers of the properties have to buy flood insurance policies? - Answer- Yes, unless a
map amendment or letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is issued by FEMA.
Joe Hunter wants to build a small hunting cabin on a lake in an approximate A Zone. It
will be the only building within two miles. There are no known sources of a base flood
elevation. The cabin will cost less than $10,000 and he does not want to pay $2,000 for
an engineering study to develop a BFE. What can you do to make sure the property is
protected from flooding? - Answer- Require that the lowest floor of the cabin be at least
five feet above grade.
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
4 acres? - Answer- No
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
60 lots? - Answer- Yes
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
Reserving all the SFHA as open space? - Answer- No
A restudy was performed on Rocky River. The preliminary study will not be final for
another five months. It shows a new BFE at Site B that is two feet lower than the BFE in
your current FIS. Which one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new
home at Site B? - Answer- When the BFE in the new study is lower than the BFE in the
existing study, the existing FIS data should be used until the new study is final.
Does dredging a creek to make it deeper to reduce flood levels need a floodplain
permit? - Answer- Yes. It is considered development and all development needs a
permit.
,Does replacing an old manufactured home with a new one on the same foundation
need a permit? - Answer- Yes
If an old manufactured home is replaced with a new one on the same foundation, will
the new one have to be elevated above the BFE? - Answer- Yes, unless it is in an
existing manufactured home park. Then the owner has the option of elevating either
above the BFE or 36" above grade on reinforced piers.
If a project will involve filling a wetland, is it likely that a federal or state permit will be
needed? - Answer- Yes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires a Section 404
permit for most wetland filling activities. A local permit should not be issued until it is
clear that the project does not violate Section 404 rules.
A builder wants to put a house in the flood way. How much can his project increase the
base flood elevation (in feet)? - Answer- Zero. A project in a flood way is not allowed to
cause any increase in floodwaters.
Will paving a dirt street in the floodway need an engineer's "no-rise" certification? -
Answer- No, as long as the grade of the street is no higher than it was before the paving
project.
A city councilman complains that the NFIP floodway regulations prevent construction of
a flood control dam that will protect people from flooding. What can you tell him? -
Answer- The community can apply for a conditional letter of map revision if it can
provide the following:
1. An elevation of alternatives which, if carried out, would not result in an increase in the
BFE more than allowed, along with documentation as to why these alternatives are not
feasible
2. Documentation of individual legal notice to all affected property owners (anyone
affected by the increased flood elevations, within and outside of the community)
explaining the impact of the proposed action on their properties
3. Concurrence, in writing, from the chief executive officer of any other communities
affected by the proposed actions
4. Certification that no structures are located in areas which would be affected by the
increased BFE (unless they have been purchased for relocation or demolition)
5. A request for revision of BFE determinations in accordance with the provisions of 44
CFR 65.6 of the FEMA regulations
Does a substantial improvement to an existing building have to meet the same
requirements as construction of a new building? - Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the flood fringe? - Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the flood way? - Answer- Probably
not. It would be hard to show that the fill does not cause an increase in flood heights.
,Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the V zone? - Answer- No
Can a new nonresidential building be built at grade, but floodproofed in the flood fringe?
- Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built at grade but floodproofed in the V zone? -
Answer- No
A builder wants to build an apartment building on stem walls parallel to the flow of water
with the lowest floor 8' above grade. Can the lower area be used as a parking lot? -
Answer- Yes
What's the best record to keep to be sure that a house was elevated high enough? -
Answer- A FEMA elevation certificate. Any surveyors or engineers record if the
elevation of the lowest floor meets NFIP requirements.
How many standard 8" x 16" openings are needed for a building that will have a 2250
square foot crawl space? - Answer- 18. 2250 divided by 128 = 17.57 round up to 18
A business on the Mississippi River wants to build a floodproofed warehouse in the
flood fringe. The plans are to have the walls built of reinforced concrete up to the BFE.
Several garage doors will be open at grade to allow trucks in and out, but the design
includes movable shields that can be put in place before floodwaters arrive. There
would be no other openings below the BFE. The warehouse will have a 24-hour security
force that will be trained on how to install the shields. The design engineer will certify
that the building will be floodproofed (with human intervention) up to the base flood
elevation. Can you approve these plans? - Answer- Yes, assuming there is adequate
warning time to install the shields which there probably is on the Mississippi River
The area below a planned elevated house in the V Zone will have a 260 square foot
enclosure to house the entryway and storage closets. The builder wants to insulate the
area and finish it with wallboard, wallpaper and carpeting. He says it's OK because the
area is less than 300 square feet. What do you tell him? - Answer- It's not OK. Any
enclosed space below the lowest floor must be built of flood resistant materials and free
of obstruction, or constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls, open wood
latticework or insect screening.
What are the most common types of flooding? - Answer- Riverine, Coastal and Shallow
Which flooding has accounted for most flood-related deaths in recent history? - Answer-
Flash flooding
What is a "meander"? - Answer- It's a curve or turn in a river channel.
What's the major cause of coastal flooding? - Answer- Storm surge
, What causes a tsunami? - Answer- Underwater earthquakes or volcanoes.
The five types of Special Flood Hazards - Answer- Closed basin, uncertain flow paths,
dam breaks, ice jams and mudflows
What two problems result from floodplain development? - Answer- 1. Development
alters the floodplain and the dynamic of flood.
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding.
What does watershed development do to flooding? - Answer- Increased runoff and
higher flood levels
What is one problem with constructing seawalls to protect buildings from flooding or
erosion? - Answer- It can accelerate erosion on properties at the end of the wall.
What are the five main causes of flood damage? - Answer- 1. Hydrodynamic forced
2. Debris Impact
3. Hydrostatic Force
4. Soaking
5. Sediment and contaminants
Water as little as _ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house - Answer- 3 feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? - Answer-
Disruption of public utilities
Electrocution
Contamination of water supplies
Fire
Animal carcasses, garbage and ponds that can become breeding grounds for germs
and mosquitoes
Mold, mildew and bacteria that grow in deep, flooded areas
Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
Stress and mental health problems
Prior to 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - Answer- Structural
flood control projects
What is the unified national program for floodplain management's definition of
"floodplain management" - Answer- Decision making process that aims to achieve the
wise use of the nations floodplains
What are two primary goals of floodplain management? - Answer- 1. To reduce loss of
life, disruption and damages caused by floods
2. Preserve and restore the natural resources and functions of floodplains
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE!!PASSED!!
A building official finds it easier to read an old flood map prepared on an aerial
photography by the Corps of Engineers. He doesn't want to use the current FIRM
because it doesn't show all the buildings and features that the photograph does. Will the
buyers of the properties have to buy flood insurance policies? - Answer- Yes, unless a
map amendment or letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is issued by FEMA.
Joe Hunter wants to build a small hunting cabin on a lake in an approximate A Zone. It
will be the only building within two miles. There are no known sources of a base flood
elevation. The cabin will cost less than $10,000 and he does not want to pay $2,000 for
an engineering study to develop a BFE. What can you do to make sure the property is
protected from flooding? - Answer- Require that the lowest floor of the cabin be at least
five feet above grade.
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
4 acres? - Answer- No
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
60 lots? - Answer- Yes
Will a developer in an approximate A Zone have to prepare a detailed study to calculate
base flood elevations if the development is:
Reserving all the SFHA as open space? - Answer- No
A restudy was performed on Rocky River. The preliminary study will not be final for
another five months. It shows a new BFE at Site B that is two feet lower than the BFE in
your current FIS. Which one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new
home at Site B? - Answer- When the BFE in the new study is lower than the BFE in the
existing study, the existing FIS data should be used until the new study is final.
Does dredging a creek to make it deeper to reduce flood levels need a floodplain
permit? - Answer- Yes. It is considered development and all development needs a
permit.
,Does replacing an old manufactured home with a new one on the same foundation
need a permit? - Answer- Yes
If an old manufactured home is replaced with a new one on the same foundation, will
the new one have to be elevated above the BFE? - Answer- Yes, unless it is in an
existing manufactured home park. Then the owner has the option of elevating either
above the BFE or 36" above grade on reinforced piers.
If a project will involve filling a wetland, is it likely that a federal or state permit will be
needed? - Answer- Yes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires a Section 404
permit for most wetland filling activities. A local permit should not be issued until it is
clear that the project does not violate Section 404 rules.
A builder wants to put a house in the flood way. How much can his project increase the
base flood elevation (in feet)? - Answer- Zero. A project in a flood way is not allowed to
cause any increase in floodwaters.
Will paving a dirt street in the floodway need an engineer's "no-rise" certification? -
Answer- No, as long as the grade of the street is no higher than it was before the paving
project.
A city councilman complains that the NFIP floodway regulations prevent construction of
a flood control dam that will protect people from flooding. What can you tell him? -
Answer- The community can apply for a conditional letter of map revision if it can
provide the following:
1. An elevation of alternatives which, if carried out, would not result in an increase in the
BFE more than allowed, along with documentation as to why these alternatives are not
feasible
2. Documentation of individual legal notice to all affected property owners (anyone
affected by the increased flood elevations, within and outside of the community)
explaining the impact of the proposed action on their properties
3. Concurrence, in writing, from the chief executive officer of any other communities
affected by the proposed actions
4. Certification that no structures are located in areas which would be affected by the
increased BFE (unless they have been purchased for relocation or demolition)
5. A request for revision of BFE determinations in accordance with the provisions of 44
CFR 65.6 of the FEMA regulations
Does a substantial improvement to an existing building have to meet the same
requirements as construction of a new building? - Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the flood fringe? - Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the flood way? - Answer- Probably
not. It would be hard to show that the fill does not cause an increase in flood heights.
,Can a new nonresidential building be built on fill in the V zone? - Answer- No
Can a new nonresidential building be built at grade, but floodproofed in the flood fringe?
- Answer- Yes
Can a new nonresidential building be built at grade but floodproofed in the V zone? -
Answer- No
A builder wants to build an apartment building on stem walls parallel to the flow of water
with the lowest floor 8' above grade. Can the lower area be used as a parking lot? -
Answer- Yes
What's the best record to keep to be sure that a house was elevated high enough? -
Answer- A FEMA elevation certificate. Any surveyors or engineers record if the
elevation of the lowest floor meets NFIP requirements.
How many standard 8" x 16" openings are needed for a building that will have a 2250
square foot crawl space? - Answer- 18. 2250 divided by 128 = 17.57 round up to 18
A business on the Mississippi River wants to build a floodproofed warehouse in the
flood fringe. The plans are to have the walls built of reinforced concrete up to the BFE.
Several garage doors will be open at grade to allow trucks in and out, but the design
includes movable shields that can be put in place before floodwaters arrive. There
would be no other openings below the BFE. The warehouse will have a 24-hour security
force that will be trained on how to install the shields. The design engineer will certify
that the building will be floodproofed (with human intervention) up to the base flood
elevation. Can you approve these plans? - Answer- Yes, assuming there is adequate
warning time to install the shields which there probably is on the Mississippi River
The area below a planned elevated house in the V Zone will have a 260 square foot
enclosure to house the entryway and storage closets. The builder wants to insulate the
area and finish it with wallboard, wallpaper and carpeting. He says it's OK because the
area is less than 300 square feet. What do you tell him? - Answer- It's not OK. Any
enclosed space below the lowest floor must be built of flood resistant materials and free
of obstruction, or constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls, open wood
latticework or insect screening.
What are the most common types of flooding? - Answer- Riverine, Coastal and Shallow
Which flooding has accounted for most flood-related deaths in recent history? - Answer-
Flash flooding
What is a "meander"? - Answer- It's a curve or turn in a river channel.
What's the major cause of coastal flooding? - Answer- Storm surge
, What causes a tsunami? - Answer- Underwater earthquakes or volcanoes.
The five types of Special Flood Hazards - Answer- Closed basin, uncertain flow paths,
dam breaks, ice jams and mudflows
What two problems result from floodplain development? - Answer- 1. Development
alters the floodplain and the dynamic of flood.
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding.
What does watershed development do to flooding? - Answer- Increased runoff and
higher flood levels
What is one problem with constructing seawalls to protect buildings from flooding or
erosion? - Answer- It can accelerate erosion on properties at the end of the wall.
What are the five main causes of flood damage? - Answer- 1. Hydrodynamic forced
2. Debris Impact
3. Hydrostatic Force
4. Soaking
5. Sediment and contaminants
Water as little as _ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house - Answer- 3 feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? - Answer-
Disruption of public utilities
Electrocution
Contamination of water supplies
Fire
Animal carcasses, garbage and ponds that can become breeding grounds for germs
and mosquitoes
Mold, mildew and bacteria that grow in deep, flooded areas
Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
Stress and mental health problems
Prior to 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - Answer- Structural
flood control projects
What is the unified national program for floodplain management's definition of
"floodplain management" - Answer- Decision making process that aims to achieve the
wise use of the nations floodplains
What are two primary goals of floodplain management? - Answer- 1. To reduce loss of
life, disruption and damages caused by floods
2. Preserve and restore the natural resources and functions of floodplains
