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Flood Building Material Compliance Reports

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Flood Building Material Compliance Reports

Developments located within flood prone or flood affected areas may require a Flood Building Material Compliance Report or Engineering Flood Compliance Statement prepared and certified by a suitably qualified Registered Professional Engineer. Elevate Engineering Consultants can provide engineering assessment and certification for submission to Registered Certifiers, Councils and other approval authorities, demonstrating that a proposed development satisfies the applicable flood related structural and building requirements. Our reports can address the requirements of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Construction of Buildings in Flood Hazard Areas Standard, the National Construction Code (NCC) / Building Code of Australia (BCA) and, where applicable, the flood related provisions of Clause 3.5 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

What We Assess

Our engineers review the available flood information together with the proposed architectural and structural documentation to determine the flood related requirements applicable to the development. Depending on the site, Council requirements and certification pathway, our assessment may include:

  • Minimum floor levels for habitable rooms.

  • Minimum floor levels for non habitable rooms, garages and car parking areas.

  • The nominated Flood Planning Level (FPL).

  • Flood depths and nominated floodwater velocities.

  • Suitability of building materials located below the Flood Planning Level.

  • Structural resistance to floodwater forces.

  • Flood borne debris loads and impacts, where applicable.

  • Buoyancy and uplift forces.

  • Structural stability during the nominated flood event.

  • The effects of temporary immersion on structural materials and building components.

  • Structural connections, fixings and load paths within flood affected areas.

  • Compliance with applicable flood related NCC/BCA and ABCB requirements.

Flood Resistant Building Materials

Buildings within flood affected areas may be required to incorporate materials and construction systems that are capable of withstanding temporary immersion and exposure to floodwater without significant deterioration or loss of structural integrity.

We can assess the proposed building materials and construction methods against the nominated flood conditions and identify where flood compatible or flood resistant construction is required. This may include the assessment of concrete, masonry, structural steel, timber framing, flooring systems, wall systems, structural connections, fixings and other components located within the flood affected portion of the building.

Structural Flood Assessment

Where required, we can undertake structural engineering calculations to demonstrate that the proposed building is capable of resisting the forces associated with the nominated flood event. For example, Council or the Registered Certifier may require confirmation that the habitable structure is designed and constructed to withstand the effects of floodwater, flood borne debris and buoyancy up to the nominated Flood Planning Level and for the nominated floodwater velocity.

The applicable flood level, depth, velocity and other design parameters vary between properties and are assessed specifically for each development based on the flood information provided.

Clause 3.5 SEPP Flood Assessments

For developments proceeding under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, we can also provide engineering assessment of the applicable flood related provisions of Clause 3.5.

Our Engineering Statement pertains to the flood parameters outlined in the referenced Flood Information Certificate prepared by Council, which are used to assess the applicable divisions of Clause 3.5 of the SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008. The assessment is therefore based on the flood levels, velocities, classifications and other relevant flood information nominated by Council for the property.

Engineering Report & Certification

Following completion of our assessment, Elevate Engineering Consultants can prepare a Flood Building Material Compliance Report, Structural Flood Assessment or Engineering Compliance Statement, depending on the requirements of the project. The report can be provided to the Registered Certifier or Council and may include:

When Do You Need a Flood Compliance Report?

You may require an engineering flood compliance report where your Development Consent, Complying Development Certificate, Flood Information Certificate, Council conditions or Registered Certifier requires confirmation from a suitably qualified structural engineer. These requirements are common where proposed building works are located within a mapped flood planning area or where portions of the development are located below the nominated Flood Planning Level. If you have received a flood related engineering requirement from Council or your Registered Certifier, send us the condition together with your Flood Information Certificate and architectural drawings. Elevate Engineering Consultants can review the documentation, confirm the engineering scope required and prepare the appropriate flood compliance report or certification for your development.

  • Details of the flood information relied upon.

  • Applicable Flood Planning Levels and design flood parameters.

  • Review of proposed building materials.

  • Structural engineering assessment.

  • Assessment against the ABCB Construction of Buildings in Flood Hazard Areas Standard.

  • Assessment against applicable NCC/BCA requirements.

  • Assessment against the applicable provisions of Clause 3.5 of the SEPP, where required.

  • Engineering conclusions and certification relevant to the development.

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