Flooding is the most common natural hazard in the United States and results in more fatalities and higher losses on average than any other natural hazard. Since 2001, the average annual flood losses in the United States were more than $10.4 billion, and from 1978 to mid-2012, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid more than $41.3 billion in flood insurance claims. Flood hazard mitigation can be achieved in several ways and is often different for buildings that are used for non-residential purposes such as business or industry, as compared to residential buildings such as homes and apartments. To that end, in 1986, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published FEMA 102, Floodproofing for Non-Residential Structures (FEMA 1986). The publication provided guidance to local officials, building owners, designers, contractors and other individuals or organizations interested in the design and implementation of floodproofing retrofits in non-residential structures. The guidance in FEMA 102 covers a broad range of floodproofing techniques that can be used in new and existing non-residential buildings to reduce or eliminate the potential for damage from flooding. FEMA 102 is currently one of only a few documents in the FEMA Library that provides design professionals and community officials with guidance on floodproofing non-residential buildings. However, since its publication in 1986, floodproofing techniques and technology have evolved such that updated guidance on the subject is needed. This document, FEMA P-936, Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, provides current guidance on floodproofing retrofits for non-residential buildings. It is similar to FEMA 102 but has a slightly different objective.

Format not distributed to depository libraries. "FEMA P-936 / July 2013."