Confirm the flood hazard data the project uses and the ASCE 24 edition the adopted code references, then check that the same flood elevations, datum, and flood zone appear on every sheet, and that floors, flood openings, materials below the flood elevation, and utilities follow them. AI can flag conflicts; the designers, the floodplain administrator, and the code official decide compliance.
What does ASCE 24 cover?
ASCE describes ASCE 24 as providing minimum requirements for flood-resistant design and construction of structures that are subject to building code requirements or floodplain management regulations in flood hazard areas, and as intended to meet or exceed the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.
ASCE’s ASCE/SEI 24-24 page identifies it as the 2024 edition and says the standard is adopted by reference in model building codes. ASCE also lists a committee working on the next edition with no publication date. Checked October 14, 2026. Local floodplain regulations can add requirements beyond the code; record both.
Flood loads combine with other loads in the ASCE 7 guide, and the site and grading drawings follow the civil and site checklist. The building code basis is in the IBC guide.
Gather the flood data and every sheet that uses it
Collect the flood hazard map panel or flood study the project relies on, the civil grading and site plans, the code analysis and general notes stating flood zone and elevations, the architectural floor elevations and sections, the foundation and structural drawings, flood opening and flood barrier details, the material schedules for spaces below the flood elevation, and the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment locations.
Flood elevations are often stated against one datum on the civil sheets and another on the architecture. Record the datum on every value you compare.
Carry one set of flood data through the set
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Flood data and datum | Civil plans, code analysis, general notes | Confirm one flood zone, elevation, and datum across disciplines. |
| Floor and design elevations | Architectural sections, structural notes, civil grading | Check the lowest floor and design elevation are stated consistently. |
| Foundation type | Structural drawings, flood zone, geotechnical report | Confirm the foundation suits the flood zone the design assumes. |
| Flood openings or dry floodproofing | Elevations, details, specifications | Check enclosures below the flood elevation show the chosen strategy in every source. |
| Materials below the flood elevation | Finish schedules, wall types, specifications | Identify materials below the flood elevation for the designer to confirm. |
| Utilities and equipment | MEP plans, equipment schedules, sections | Find equipment, panels, and ducts drawn below the flood elevation. |
Stormwater design continues in the stormwater utility specifications guide, and below-grade waterproofing in the waterproofing specifications guide.
Example: two datums for one flood elevation
Hypothetical example. The civil grading plan states the base flood elevation against one vertical datum. The architectural sections set the lowest floor from the same number but label it against a different datum, and the electrical plan places the main switchboard in a ground floor room below the elevation shown on the civil sheet.
The civil plan and the architectural sections state the flood elevation against different vertical datums, and the main switchboard room floor sits below the civil elevation. Confirm the datum and the design flood elevation, then coordinate the floor level and equipment locations.
The civil engineer and architect agree the datum and elevation, and the electrical engineer relocates or protects equipment if needed. The floodplain administrator confirms the data the project must use.
Review flood-resistant design with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Add the ASCE 24 edition the project uses from a copy you are licensed to use, where the license permits uploading it, and the jurisdiction’s published amendments. See how Groundbook works with local and licensed codes.
Compare the flood zone, flood elevations, and vertical datum stated on the civil, architectural, structural, and MEP drawings and the code analysis. Then compare floor elevations, foundation type, flood openings or floodproofing, materials below the flood elevation, and equipment locations with that data. Flag conflicts. Use the supplied ASCE 24 edition and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the sheets involved. Upload the flood map panel or study so elevations can be compared with their source.
Document review does not determine flood hazard data, calculate flood loads, or replace the designers, the floodplain administrator, or the code official.