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Use the filters below to find answers to frequently asked questions about Building Science guidance regarding:
If you need additional information, please email the FEMA Building Science Helpline or call at 866-927-2104.
Please visit the Building Science Resource Library to reference all hazard-specific publications and guidance documents.
Yes. FEMA developed the SDE tool to help NFIP participants meet their obligation to evaluate damage or improvements before approving permits for rehabilitation, remodeling, and lateral or vertical additions. Although FEMA’s guidance on the SDE tool is geared toward estimating damages (as the name suggests), the tool can be used to evaluate improvements by substituting the cost of the improvements for the cost of repairs.
No. NFIP participants may use other methods of determining Substantial Damage but are encouraged to use the SDE tool because it provides a formal, systematic approach for determining Substantial Damage while also meeting all NFIP requirements.
Alternative methods for evaluating Substantial Damage and Substantial Improvement are available in FEMA P-758 and FEMA 213.
The current version of the SDE Tool is SDE Version 3.0 (released August 2017). The current version of the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) User Manual and Field Workbook is FEMA P-784 (2017). It is available on the same website as the SDE tool.
A6. Depending on the set-up of the user’s computer, administrative rights may be required for the installation of the tool. The need for administrative rights is set by the agency, community, or other entity that is responsible for the security and maintenance of the user’s computer. The installation options and the need for administrative rights are available in the FEMA SDE Read Me - SDE 3.0 Tool Installation Guide and the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) User Manual and Field Workbook. Both documents are available on the same website.
The SDE tool can be installed on computers running Microsoft© operating systems Windows 7©, and Windows 8©, and Windows 10©. For more information, refer to Section 2 of the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) User Manual and Field Workbook.
A safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide life-safety protection in extreme wind events, including tornadoes and hurricanes. To be considered a FEMA safe room, the structure must be designed and constructed to the guidelines specified in FEMA P-361 – to which the drawings in FEMA P-320 were designed. A design professional can be consulted to verify that the safe room meets or exceeds the guidelines found in FEMA P-361. Additionally, all applicable Federal, State, and local codes must be followed. When questions arise pertaining to the differences between FEMA P-361 and conflicting codes or standards, the most conservative criteria should apply.
A residential safe room serves occupants of dwelling units and has a design occupant capacity of 16 persons or fewer. A community safe room is any safe room not defined as a residential safe room. This includes safe rooms intended for use by the general public, by building occupants or a combination of both.
