GFNpavilionpiers.pdfT REYNOLDS ENGINEERING | CIVIL ENGINEERS | PLANNING, DESIGN, AND PERMITTING SERVICES
152 MAPLEWOOD TERRACE, FLORENCE, MA 01062 | PHONE: 413-387-8078 | FAX: 413-727-3477
terry@treynoldsengineering.com | www.treynoldsengineering.com
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To: Grow Food Northampton
From: Terrence Reynolds, P.E.
Subject: Floodplain Building Permit For Pavilion, Approximate Location 140 Meadow Street,
Florence, MA
Date: 8/24/15
Based on review of Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel 251067 0001A, Dated April 3,1978, the parcel at
140 Meadow Street Florence, MA is located in a A7 Flood zone with an estimated flood elevation of
243 feet. As a result the parcel is subject to Appendix “G” of the Massachusetts State Building Code.
The following review of the building permit application package, dated August 2015 is for compliance
with 780 CMR 120.G FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION IN COASTAL
DUNES (Appendix “G”). Each section has been reviewed for applicability and conformance.
120.G.401 Hazard Zones
The site is in a Zone A flood-hazard zone and has a design flood-depth of 3 feet.
120.G.501 Flood Hazard Zones
120.G.501.1 Construction in flood-hazard zones (A Zones):
120.G.501.2 Elevation in a flood-hazard zone: Except as otherwise provided in 120.G.501, all
buildings or structures, including new or replacement manufactured homes, erected or substantially
improved within a flood-hazard zone shall be elevated so that the lowest floor is located at or above the
base flood elevation. All basement/ cellar floor surfaces shall be located at or above the base flood
elevations.
Exceptions:
1. Floors of occupancy in any use group, other than use group R, below the base flood elevation shall
conform to 780 CMR 120.G.501.5.2. Floors of occupancies in any use group which are utilized solely
for structure means of egress, incidental storage garages and parking, and which are located below the
base flood elevation, shall conform to 780 CMR 120.G.501.4.
This use is an open-air pavilion and is therefore except from needing to be located above the base
flood elevation.
120.G.501.3 Anchorage in a flood-hazard zone:
The proposed building is anchored concrete foundation piers with enlarged Bigfoot at bottom of each
pier as appended to this submittal. The proposed structure is anchored to the foundation by Simpson
ABU88Z post bases with 1-inch standoff, secured to the foundation with anchor bolts and into the posts
with stainless steel structural screws. All fasteners will be stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized in
accordance with FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008.
120.G.501.4 Enclosures below base flood elevation in a flood-hazard zone:
No enclosed space is proposed.
120.G.501.5 Water-resistant construction in a flood-hazard zone:
Grow Food Northampton, 8/24/2015
T REYNOLDS ENGINEERING | CIVIL ENGINEERS | PLANNING, DESIGN, AND PERMITTING SERVICES
152 Maplewood Terrace, Florence, MA 01062 |PHONE:413-387-8078 | FAX:413-727-3477
terry@treynoldsengineering.com |www.treynoldsengineering.com
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No human occupancy is proposed below the flood zone.
120.G.501.6 Repair or replacement of existing foundations in a flood-hazard zone:
None proposed.
120.G.501.7 Protection of mechanical and electrical systems in a flood-hazard zone:
No mechanical or electrical systems are proposed.
120.G.501.8 Construction materials, methods, and practices in a flood-hazard zone:
Construction materials have been specified to be in compliance with Flood Damage-Resistant
Materials Requirements for Building Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the
National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008.
FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008 – Flood Damage Resistant Materials Requirements
All structural materials are of solid wood and the foundation will be of cast-in-place concrete,
conforming to acceptable standards as listed on Table 2 of FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008.
Structural members within the BFE are of White Cedar - a decay-resistant wood, described as “highly
resistant to floodwater damage” in Table 1, FEMA Technical Bulletin 2/ August 2008.
This Technical Bulletin, consistent with ASCE 24 and the International Code Series, recommends that
stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized fasteners and connectors be used below the BFE in both inland
(noncorrosive) and coastal (corrosive) areas.
All fasteners below the BFE will be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel, as per FEMA Technical
Bulletin 2/ August 2008.
2304.11.2.7 Posts or Columns:
Posts or columns supporting permanent structures and supported by a concrete or masonry slab or
footing that is indirect contact with the earth shall be of naturally durable material or preservative
treated wood.
Posts specified as 8x8 White Cedar – naturally resistant to decay.
120.G.601 Recreational vehicles in a flood-hazard zone:
No recreational vehicles are proposed to be stored at this site.
120.G.501.10 Alterations, renovation and repairs in a flood-hazard zone:
No alteration, renovations or repairs to existing buildings are proposed.
120.G.501.11 Certifications and Plans for construction in a flood-hazard zone:
Certifications and plans will be provided as required.
120.G.501.12 As-built elevation certification for construction in a flood-hazard zone:
As-built elevation certification will be provided following construction as required.
120.G.501.13 Documentation -Water resistant construction in a flood-hazard zone:
The proposed building is not proposed to be constructed in accordance with 780 CMR 120.G501.5
since no human occupancy is proposed.
120.G.601 High Hazard Zones
120.G.601.1 Construction in high-hazard zones (V Zones):
This is not a High Hazard Zone
120.G.701 Coastal Dunes
120.G.701.1 Determination of Coastal Dunes.
Grow Food Northampton, 8/24/2015
T REYNOLDS ENGINEERING | CIVIL ENGINEERS | PLANNING, DESIGN, AND PERMITTING SERVICES
152 Maplewood Terrace, Florence, MA 01062 |PHONE:413-387-8078 | FAX:413-727-3477
terry@treynoldsengineering.com |www.treynoldsengineering.com
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This is not a Coastal Dune.