User:TJ

Elevation Certificates (ECs) are a hallmark of the NFIP. They were designed to provide detailed elevation data that would be used to identify a building's position relative to an established floodplain. Elevation Certificates are required for LOMA applications. They can also be used to record the First Floor Height (FFH) measurement.

ECs are optional for NFIP insurance.

Elevation Certificates were designed to provide detailed elevation data showing the relationship between the Base Flood Elevation and the Lowest Floor Elevation using elevations relative to sea level. Now, they are used to determine the difference between the gound and the lowest floor of the building.

ECs are now optional for NFIP insurance regardless of the flood zone or whether the building is Post-FIRM or Pre-FIRM. Additionally, it is no longer a requirement for an elevation certificate to be completed by a licensed surveyor or engineer. Section H of the new elevation certificate form can be completed by the insured, or a representative of the insured or the agent which eliminates the cost.

Use Equinox to Complete an EC

Required Information

Property Address:

• Used to identify the building and/or geolocation
• The owner's name is not required, as the EC is part of the public record

Building Diagram Number:

• …
• Used to determine the lowest floor of the building
• Assistance is provided in the Equinox Wiki and/or the application process to assist in getting the corrent foundation information

Top of the Bottom Floor:

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Sections of the EC

Section C (Survey Required):

• Must be completed by a licensed surveyor, architect, or engineer.
• Documents elevations for standard zones requiring a BFE.
• Includes specific fields for non-elevated and elevated buildings.

Section E (Survey Not Required):

• Used for flood zones AO and A without BFEs.
• Can also apply to all zones for rating purposes but not for floodplain management.
• Includes LAG, Highest Adjacent Grade (HAG), and estimates if needed.

Section A of the Elevation Certificate is required. However during the application completion process in Equinox, the required information will automatically be moved into the Elevation Certificate form from the information provided in the application.

Section B of the Elevation Certificate is also required. Section B is comprised of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information. This information is included as a third party lookup during the application process and is moved into the Elevation Certificate form during the application process.

Sections C, D, E, F, and G are no longer required.

Section H (New Addition):

• Recommended for all flood zones in the updated EC form.
• Complements Section E for determining FFH when applicable.

• May be used for all zones.
• Does require a minimum of two photographs.

Documentation Requirements

• Signed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect.
• IncludesInclude at least two photographs of the building’sbuilding, one of the front and one of the rear, showing the building's foundation.
• For buildings under construction, a revised EC must be submitted once construction is complete.
• Insert Section H diagram here

Key Points for Agents

• Providing an EC does not increase premiums; FEMA’s system calculates and applies the lower rate between FEMA-sourced and EC-provided data.
• Properly completed ECs can qualify properties for lower premiums through accurate elevation data or mitigation discounts.
• Ensure all required sections and photographs are included to avoid processing delays.