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FLOODEX FLOOD VENT SYSTEMS OFFERS SECOND<br>INTERCONNECTABLE FLOOD/AIR/RADON VENT
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01/16/2005
June 23, 2003
FLOODEX FLOOD VENT SYSTEMS, manufacturers of FLOODEX (reg. trademark, patents pending) foundation flood vents and the original interconnectable floodvent system, announces a new "Stud" model consisting of a UV-protected, molded thermoplastic automatic foundation flood, air and radon vent. The original "Block" model fits standard CMU (concrete masonry unit) or 8" high by 16" wide (nominal) concrete block openings in foundation walls, and the new "Stud" model fits the 14-1/2" opening between 2x4 or 2x6 studs in standard frame construction. Both FLOODEX floodvent models are interconnectable vertically and/or horizontally enabling their use singly or in a variety of modular groupings. Both vents are certified to meet and/or exceed FEMA, NFIP, BOCA and major building code requirements for automatic, passive, non-engineered foundation flood openings. Both models also fit brick, block, poured and 2x4 or 2x6 frame walls.
Foundation floodvents are a relatively recent requirement for structures, both residential and commercial, in nearly 20,000 U.S. communities with designated flood hazard zones. They must comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) and other major building code criteria. Essentially, such devices must permit the automatic (i.e., without power or human intervention) entry and exit of floodwaters to equalize hydrostatic pressure on both sides of foundation walls enclosing basements, crawlspaces or walls in slab construction.
Being a relatively new construction product, floodvent users should be alerted that "flood" vents must not be confused with common foundation "air" vents, many of which have thermal devices that can close in cold water and which do not meet flood vent requirements to begin with. There also is a misconception by self-proclaimed "experts" that such vents must permit a 3" diameter object (i.e., mice, rats, squirrels, snakes, etc.) to pass through them, probably a misunderstanding of the requirement that no matter how small the enclosed foundation space, it must have a minimum of two flood openings not less than 3" in diameter in at least two walls. There are two types of acceptable, automatic, passive foundation floodvents or openings, both with different criteria: engineered and non-engineered. Even many building inspectors are unfamiliar with the relatively new requirements and inadvertently permit old-style foundation AIR vents to be utilized when FLOOD vents are mandated; this is not only illegal, but can prove to be actually life-threatening.
Flood vents require 1 square inch of net free vent area (after deducting the area of any screen, grid or other impediments) to 1 square foot of enclosed foundation, crawlspace or slab area, or the minimum two described above. Users should be alert to unchallenged claims that any cement block-size flood vent provides more than 128 square inches of net free area, the clear area of an 8"x16" block opening with no impediments such as a screen or grid. Screens and grids are permitted as long as they permit the flow of floodwaters into and out of a structure's foundation. Failure to provide flood vents for structures within communities which have adopted FEMA and NFIP flood hazard mitigation ordinances can result in suspension of federally-backed mortgages, flood insurance policies and building or occupancy permits, as well as fines, and can cause suspension of an entire participating community's flood insurance program for residents. By mitigating the possibility of flood damage to or failure of a foundation, flood vents help protect human life and property from the many hazards of flooding, the world's number one natural disaster annually in terms of lives lost and billions in property damage.
The practical, simple (just 2 moving parts), interconnective, systems approach to a solution for flood vent requirements were developed by a concrete industry professional, a 4th generation custom builder-developer, senior insurance underwriter and designer with a formal education in architecture. With numerous coast-to-coast and inland installations in homes, commercial, government, military and municipal buildings, FLOODEX floodvents are the only such device which provides manually controllable seasonal air and radon venting while deterring vandalism and unwanted viewing into the interior of a structure from outside, entry of insects, animals and reptiles, while remaining legal as a flood vent in all operating modes. The unique FLOODEX interconnectability feature enables their use singly or in a variety of attached modular groupings, affording architects, builders and homeowners the maximum in design flexibility, performance and value, and their combination flood, air and radon venting eliminates the need or expense of additional vents. For further information: Web: http://www.floodex.net Email:[email protected] Toll Free: 888-835-5170 (Extension 106) Fax: 732-892-8760
