The Truth About Flood Vents
01/07/24 01:02 PM Filed in: Flood Vents
The ICC is a company which is a separate entity from FEMA – ICC is the International Code Council a global organization established to uphold codes and conduct in construction and products.
To be FEMA “compliant” you must follow these four rules – whether it is an engineered ICC rated flood vent OR what is called a non-engineered flood opening – which is ANY opening that allows water to pass through a foundation opening – this could be cinder blocks turned on their side, air vents disabled in the open position, numerous small openings in the foundation – HOWEVER these flood “openings” must equate enough coverage for the area – HENCE the need for Engineered Flood Vents
Engineered Flood Vents are designed to release more water with fewer openings and help protect your homes foundation– they are designed around FEMA’s criteria for flood openings and flood vents
Fixed-louvered Flood Vents are required to have State Certifications for the states they are sold in and some even have ICC Reports
ICC Rated Flood Vents are “Engineered” flood vents – HOWEVER if you have a flood vent with mechanical or breakaway function you must have it tested at the ICC facility to document its performance and the ICC will rate how much area that engineered flood vent will cover