FEMA 480 TESTBANK QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
What should be recorded with a V-zone certification? - Answer- Recorded by a certified
engineer, and should ensure that all building is completed to regulations.
What should be recorded with a no-rise certification? - Answer- No flood fringe
development is considered here.
Marked by technical data, and signed by a certified engineer.
May require support from FEMA.
What is a biennial report? What does it require? - Answer- It is a document sent by
FEMA to the head elected official to be completed within 30 days and it needs to be
done every two years.
It requires good record keeping and needs to have:
Changes to community boundaries
Physical and topographic changes
Amendments to the floodplain ordinances
The number of building permits issued
Number of building variances issued
They will also want to know
How many people live in the floodplain and how many buildings are in the flood plain
Whether the community needs FEMA help.
What is an annexation permit, and what are the complications that arise from
annexations? - Answer- They happen when you extend beyond the comms firm to an
area without a firm, or when you join the NFIP but before you get a FIRM.
If you annexed a place, use the community number once in the jurisdiction.
For the parcel number on the flood map - Use the county+local ID, for places without a
map, write "No NFIP Map"
,What is the basic rule of substantial improvement or damage? - Answer- If the value of
the improvement or damage is greater than 50% of the pre-situation evaluation, it is
considered substantial and must be built to FEMA standards.
What are the guidance FEMA has for substantial improvements? - Answer- All
improvements within a certain period of time count towards this to avoid people dodging
permits. This can be one year, five, ten, or cumulative (CRS).
What is included in the project cost for substantial improvements? - Answer- All
materials, labor, overhead, damage improvements done concurrently, profits, and built-
in appliances.
What is not included in the project cost for substantial improvements? - Answer-
Repairs to historic buildings and code violations the pre-date the repair process.
Where does market value evaluations come from for substantial improvements? -
Answer- Determined by a certified appraiser looking only at the building with no "income
capitalization approach"
Property assessments from tax offices with recommendations for adjustment to fair
market rates.
Value of buildings from previous NFIP claims.
A qualified assessment from a sound professional judgement within your own office.
This is really only within the 40%-60% of assessed value range, as anything clearly
above or below doesn't need to be looked at with this level of detail.
What does rehabilitation mean? - Answer- Improvement that is not changing the exterior
dimensions of the building.
What is the definition of an addition? What are some of the criteria or examples, or
regulations that apply here? - Answer- An addition is anything that changes the exterior
size of the building.
If its in an A zone, and separated by a wall with a door, only the addition needs to be
elevated or Flood proofed (With the exception of the adjoining wall here for non-
residential)
In a V-zone, everything must be elevated.
When its vertical, everything must be elevated or flood proofed
All improvements for a post-FIRM building must be equal to the current regs.
What qualifies as damage for the purposes of substantial damage? - Answer- Any
disaster causing greater than 50% of the pre-disaster value of the house
What are the recommendations to ensure that the repair assessment process is as
smooth as possible? - Answer- Get a non-bias third party appraiser
Use a FEMA program to estimate
,Ensure education of the population to the importance of regulations which will lead to
less pushback
Help connect people to resources
What is the definition of reconstruction for the NFIP and what falls under it? - Answer-
Rebuilding of a building that is damaged by a storm or event.
Removing all wall boarding and insulation
Installing new wall boards and installation
taping and painting
Removing carpeting and vinyl flooring
Replacing cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms
Dry floor, and replacing warped flooring
Replacing built-in appliances
Replacing hollow-core interior doors
Replacing furnace and water heaters
Clean and disinfect duct work
Repair porch flooring and front steps
Clean and test plumbing (Licensed plumber may be required)
Replace outlets and switches, clean and test wiring (Licensed electrician may be
required)
What is the increased cost of compliance (ICC) grant? - Answer- The program began in
1997 to help fund the cost of elevating a structure to meet compliance with NFIP
standards.
It covers additional costs of raising a structure as well as the normal cost of repairs, up
to the additional $30,000 available.
There are caveats - Only covers 30,000 per claim, only if insured pre-disaster, and must
be accompanied by a substantial damage determination by the flood plain administrator.
What are the special situations where the NFIP substantial damage and improvement
regulations may not apply? - Answer- In certain costs that will not apply to the
evaluation cost, such as permits, surveys, plans, demolition costs, and improvements
outside of the building
For historic buildings that are on a register, will maintain their historic status, and that
comply with all improvements possible
What are the corrections of code violations regulations with substantial damage and
improvement? - Answer- This guidance allows for the requirement of only correcting
identified problems to the minimum standards to help alleviate the cost to the
homeowner forced to bring their home into compliance.
, These only apply to things found post disaster, if there were already building code
violations, those don't count to the cost of assessment of the 50% damages.
Where do homeowners buy flood insurance, and who administers the policy? - Answer-
A local insurer, who administers the policy. FEMA does not directly interface with the
insurance holders.
What is covered by NFIP insurance? - Answer- The building itself, 10% of a detached
garage, all permanent fixtures of the house (carpets, utilities, wallboards)
What qualifies as a building in NFIP insurnace? - Answer- A walled and roofed structure
with two or more rigid walls fixed to the ground and will resist collapse and floatation.
A mobile home that has a movable chasis and is designed to be anchored with utilities
and a proper foundation
It must also be principally above ground, i.e. 51% of cash value must be above the
ground elevation.
What does the NFIP cover when it comes to buildings under construction? - Answer- If
they are being built, they may be covered as long as it has not stalled for over 90 days.
Materials are also covered so long as they are in an enclosed space on the property or
stored somewhere else.
What contents of the home are covered through NFIP insurance? - Answer- All things
inside the building.
Livestock, licensed vehicles, jewelry and art greater than $2,500,oney or valuable
paper, personal property, and anything outside that is not enclosed or held down to
prevent floatation are not covered.
What is covered by the NFIP in basements? - Answer- The foundations and walls
themselves. Appliances such as fridges and freezers, as well as the food inside, clothes
washers and dryers.
Furnishings, wall paper, and walling are not covered to discourage development in
these enclosed spaces.
What is covered by the NFIP in enclosures? - Answer- No contents are covered, only
the structural components and the utilities required to maintain the foundation are
covered.
You should tell people about this at the permit office.
This helps prevent development in the area.
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
What should be recorded with a V-zone certification? - Answer- Recorded by a certified
engineer, and should ensure that all building is completed to regulations.
What should be recorded with a no-rise certification? - Answer- No flood fringe
development is considered here.
Marked by technical data, and signed by a certified engineer.
May require support from FEMA.
What is a biennial report? What does it require? - Answer- It is a document sent by
FEMA to the head elected official to be completed within 30 days and it needs to be
done every two years.
It requires good record keeping and needs to have:
Changes to community boundaries
Physical and topographic changes
Amendments to the floodplain ordinances
The number of building permits issued
Number of building variances issued
They will also want to know
How many people live in the floodplain and how many buildings are in the flood plain
Whether the community needs FEMA help.
What is an annexation permit, and what are the complications that arise from
annexations? - Answer- They happen when you extend beyond the comms firm to an
area without a firm, or when you join the NFIP but before you get a FIRM.
If you annexed a place, use the community number once in the jurisdiction.
For the parcel number on the flood map - Use the county+local ID, for places without a
map, write "No NFIP Map"
,What is the basic rule of substantial improvement or damage? - Answer- If the value of
the improvement or damage is greater than 50% of the pre-situation evaluation, it is
considered substantial and must be built to FEMA standards.
What are the guidance FEMA has for substantial improvements? - Answer- All
improvements within a certain period of time count towards this to avoid people dodging
permits. This can be one year, five, ten, or cumulative (CRS).
What is included in the project cost for substantial improvements? - Answer- All
materials, labor, overhead, damage improvements done concurrently, profits, and built-
in appliances.
What is not included in the project cost for substantial improvements? - Answer-
Repairs to historic buildings and code violations the pre-date the repair process.
Where does market value evaluations come from for substantial improvements? -
Answer- Determined by a certified appraiser looking only at the building with no "income
capitalization approach"
Property assessments from tax offices with recommendations for adjustment to fair
market rates.
Value of buildings from previous NFIP claims.
A qualified assessment from a sound professional judgement within your own office.
This is really only within the 40%-60% of assessed value range, as anything clearly
above or below doesn't need to be looked at with this level of detail.
What does rehabilitation mean? - Answer- Improvement that is not changing the exterior
dimensions of the building.
What is the definition of an addition? What are some of the criteria or examples, or
regulations that apply here? - Answer- An addition is anything that changes the exterior
size of the building.
If its in an A zone, and separated by a wall with a door, only the addition needs to be
elevated or Flood proofed (With the exception of the adjoining wall here for non-
residential)
In a V-zone, everything must be elevated.
When its vertical, everything must be elevated or flood proofed
All improvements for a post-FIRM building must be equal to the current regs.
What qualifies as damage for the purposes of substantial damage? - Answer- Any
disaster causing greater than 50% of the pre-disaster value of the house
What are the recommendations to ensure that the repair assessment process is as
smooth as possible? - Answer- Get a non-bias third party appraiser
Use a FEMA program to estimate
,Ensure education of the population to the importance of regulations which will lead to
less pushback
Help connect people to resources
What is the definition of reconstruction for the NFIP and what falls under it? - Answer-
Rebuilding of a building that is damaged by a storm or event.
Removing all wall boarding and insulation
Installing new wall boards and installation
taping and painting
Removing carpeting and vinyl flooring
Replacing cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms
Dry floor, and replacing warped flooring
Replacing built-in appliances
Replacing hollow-core interior doors
Replacing furnace and water heaters
Clean and disinfect duct work
Repair porch flooring and front steps
Clean and test plumbing (Licensed plumber may be required)
Replace outlets and switches, clean and test wiring (Licensed electrician may be
required)
What is the increased cost of compliance (ICC) grant? - Answer- The program began in
1997 to help fund the cost of elevating a structure to meet compliance with NFIP
standards.
It covers additional costs of raising a structure as well as the normal cost of repairs, up
to the additional $30,000 available.
There are caveats - Only covers 30,000 per claim, only if insured pre-disaster, and must
be accompanied by a substantial damage determination by the flood plain administrator.
What are the special situations where the NFIP substantial damage and improvement
regulations may not apply? - Answer- In certain costs that will not apply to the
evaluation cost, such as permits, surveys, plans, demolition costs, and improvements
outside of the building
For historic buildings that are on a register, will maintain their historic status, and that
comply with all improvements possible
What are the corrections of code violations regulations with substantial damage and
improvement? - Answer- This guidance allows for the requirement of only correcting
identified problems to the minimum standards to help alleviate the cost to the
homeowner forced to bring their home into compliance.
, These only apply to things found post disaster, if there were already building code
violations, those don't count to the cost of assessment of the 50% damages.
Where do homeowners buy flood insurance, and who administers the policy? - Answer-
A local insurer, who administers the policy. FEMA does not directly interface with the
insurance holders.
What is covered by NFIP insurance? - Answer- The building itself, 10% of a detached
garage, all permanent fixtures of the house (carpets, utilities, wallboards)
What qualifies as a building in NFIP insurnace? - Answer- A walled and roofed structure
with two or more rigid walls fixed to the ground and will resist collapse and floatation.
A mobile home that has a movable chasis and is designed to be anchored with utilities
and a proper foundation
It must also be principally above ground, i.e. 51% of cash value must be above the
ground elevation.
What does the NFIP cover when it comes to buildings under construction? - Answer- If
they are being built, they may be covered as long as it has not stalled for over 90 days.
Materials are also covered so long as they are in an enclosed space on the property or
stored somewhere else.
What contents of the home are covered through NFIP insurance? - Answer- All things
inside the building.
Livestock, licensed vehicles, jewelry and art greater than $2,500,oney or valuable
paper, personal property, and anything outside that is not enclosed or held down to
prevent floatation are not covered.
What is covered by the NFIP in basements? - Answer- The foundations and walls
themselves. Appliances such as fridges and freezers, as well as the food inside, clothes
washers and dryers.
Furnishings, wall paper, and walling are not covered to discourage development in
these enclosed spaces.
What is covered by the NFIP in enclosures? - Answer- No contents are covered, only
the structural components and the utilities required to maintain the foundation are
covered.
You should tell people about this at the permit office.
This helps prevent development in the area.
