FEMA 480 UNITS 8, 9, & 10 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
What the best way to determine if a building is "historic" and eligible for exemption from
the substantial improvement requirement? - Answer- See if it's on an approved list of
historic structures
What kind of projects need a permit so you can check to see if they would be
substantial improvements? - Answer- 1. Remodeling projects
2. Rehabilitation projects
3. Building additions
A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet
above grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The
new BFE is now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a small (less than substantial) addition have to be elevated? - Answer-
To at least 4 feet above grade
A tornado swept through town and substantially damaged 25 buildings in the floodplain.
How can you help property owners comply with floodplain ordinance's substantial
damage regulations? - Answer- Help the owner obtain financial assistance. Many
programs are available after a disaster declaration.
Mr. Johnson prepared a list of everything he has to do the repair his flooded home.
Which of the following items are counted toward the cost of repairs when determining
substantial damage? What is the dollar amount that should be counted? - Answer- 1.
Clearing broken trees and debris away from the house ($2,500) - $0
2. Replacing the warped flooring ($3,000) - $3,000
3. New doors ($1,000) to replace old ones (worth $500)
4. Replacing the old kitchen cabinets (valued at $5,000) with custom hardwood cabinets
valued at $15,000 - $15,000
5. New wall to wall carpeting ($1,800) - $1,800
6. New furniture ($12,000) - $0 (not part of the structure)
7. New wiring ($2,000) to bring the building up to current code (This is a standard
requirement of the community. The building was not cited as having a code violation) -
$2,000
8. Permit fee ($500) - $0
9. Clean out and test the furnace (done free as a public service by the utility company,
but otherwise worth $250 if done by a private contractor) - $250
10. New bushes and replacement fence ($1,500) - $0 (not part of the structure)
, A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet
above grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The
new BFE is now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a large (substantial) addition have to be elevated? - Answer- To at least
6 feet above grade
Mrs. Murphy bought her property for $100,000 last year. Is this a good basis for
determining its market value? - Answer- It's a start, but the true market value may be
different this year, depending on the local housing market. You also need to subtract the
value of the land, landscaping, and detached structures that would have been in the
purchase price for the property.
Based on the tax assessor's records, the market value of 123 Main Street is $75,000.
The owner wants to replace the HVAC and plumbing, remodel the kitchen and both
bathrooms and convert his basement to a finished family room. His total cost is $20,000
for supplies. If a contractor were to do the job, the total cost would be $45,000.
However, since he is a handyman and will do all the work himself, the total cost of his
project is $20,000. What is your response? - Answer- The total cost of the project must
be the true cost, including the cost of labor and donated materials. This project will be a
substantial improvement.
Mrs. Smith wants a new second story that will double the size and value of her house.
The floor of the new story will be above the BFE. Will the old first floor have to be
elevated? - Answer- Yes. The project should be a substantial improvement and the
entire building will need to be elevated in this situation.
The substantial damage regulations only apply if the building was damaged by a flood.
True or false? - Answer- False, the damage can be from any cause
A flooded property owner has a brother who is a plumbing contractor. His brother's
repair estimates show the damage at 48% of the buildings value. You think it should be
higher. What can you do to prevent an argument over who's numbers are right? -
Answer- Get the cost to repair from an objective third party or undebatable source, such
as:
-A licensed general contractor
-A professional construction estimator
-Insurance adjustment papers (exclude damage to contents)
-Damage assessment field surveys conducted by building inspection, emergency
management, or tax assessment agencies after a disaster
Mrs. McGillicudy is on a fixed income. Her home was flooded and substantially
damaged. Her flood insurance policy will pay for repairs. When told that she will also
have to elevate her house, she thinks she should apply for a variance due to the
financial hardship. What do you tell her? - Answer- Her flood insurance has Increased
Cost of Compliance coverage that will help pay for the cost of meeting the ordinance's
requirement to elevate. Your office may be able to help her find financial assistance to
pay for the rest of the cost, if needed.
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
What the best way to determine if a building is "historic" and eligible for exemption from
the substantial improvement requirement? - Answer- See if it's on an approved list of
historic structures
What kind of projects need a permit so you can check to see if they would be
substantial improvements? - Answer- 1. Remodeling projects
2. Rehabilitation projects
3. Building additions
A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet
above grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The
new BFE is now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a small (less than substantial) addition have to be elevated? - Answer-
To at least 4 feet above grade
A tornado swept through town and substantially damaged 25 buildings in the floodplain.
How can you help property owners comply with floodplain ordinance's substantial
damage regulations? - Answer- Help the owner obtain financial assistance. Many
programs are available after a disaster declaration.
Mr. Johnson prepared a list of everything he has to do the repair his flooded home.
Which of the following items are counted toward the cost of repairs when determining
substantial damage? What is the dollar amount that should be counted? - Answer- 1.
Clearing broken trees and debris away from the house ($2,500) - $0
2. Replacing the warped flooring ($3,000) - $3,000
3. New doors ($1,000) to replace old ones (worth $500)
4. Replacing the old kitchen cabinets (valued at $5,000) with custom hardwood cabinets
valued at $15,000 - $15,000
5. New wall to wall carpeting ($1,800) - $1,800
6. New furniture ($12,000) - $0 (not part of the structure)
7. New wiring ($2,000) to bring the building up to current code (This is a standard
requirement of the community. The building was not cited as having a code violation) -
$2,000
8. Permit fee ($500) - $0
9. Clean out and test the furnace (done free as a public service by the utility company,
but otherwise worth $250 if done by a private contractor) - $250
10. New bushes and replacement fence ($1,500) - $0 (not part of the structure)
, A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet
above grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The
new BFE is now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a large (substantial) addition have to be elevated? - Answer- To at least
6 feet above grade
Mrs. Murphy bought her property for $100,000 last year. Is this a good basis for
determining its market value? - Answer- It's a start, but the true market value may be
different this year, depending on the local housing market. You also need to subtract the
value of the land, landscaping, and detached structures that would have been in the
purchase price for the property.
Based on the tax assessor's records, the market value of 123 Main Street is $75,000.
The owner wants to replace the HVAC and plumbing, remodel the kitchen and both
bathrooms and convert his basement to a finished family room. His total cost is $20,000
for supplies. If a contractor were to do the job, the total cost would be $45,000.
However, since he is a handyman and will do all the work himself, the total cost of his
project is $20,000. What is your response? - Answer- The total cost of the project must
be the true cost, including the cost of labor and donated materials. This project will be a
substantial improvement.
Mrs. Smith wants a new second story that will double the size and value of her house.
The floor of the new story will be above the BFE. Will the old first floor have to be
elevated? - Answer- Yes. The project should be a substantial improvement and the
entire building will need to be elevated in this situation.
The substantial damage regulations only apply if the building was damaged by a flood.
True or false? - Answer- False, the damage can be from any cause
A flooded property owner has a brother who is a plumbing contractor. His brother's
repair estimates show the damage at 48% of the buildings value. You think it should be
higher. What can you do to prevent an argument over who's numbers are right? -
Answer- Get the cost to repair from an objective third party or undebatable source, such
as:
-A licensed general contractor
-A professional construction estimator
-Insurance adjustment papers (exclude damage to contents)
-Damage assessment field surveys conducted by building inspection, emergency
management, or tax assessment agencies after a disaster
Mrs. McGillicudy is on a fixed income. Her home was flooded and substantially
damaged. Her flood insurance policy will pay for repairs. When told that she will also
have to elevate her house, she thinks she should apply for a variance due to the
financial hardship. What do you tell her? - Answer- Her flood insurance has Increased
Cost of Compliance coverage that will help pay for the cost of meeting the ordinance's
requirement to elevate. Your office may be able to help her find financial assistance to
pay for the rest of the cost, if needed.
