Appendix J › III–VII MEP Components; Pipes; Water/Wastewater; Electric Power; Storage Tanks

What mitigation can we add to utilities, pipes, pumps, power systems and building equipment?

FEMA term

Mitigation for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, pipes, water and wastewater, power systems and storage tanks

Short answer

Elevating or floodproofing electrical panels, HVAC, generators and fuel tanks; generator hookups and transfer switches; seismic bracing; flexible and restrained pipe joints and shut-off valves; submersible pumps; watertight sewer covers and sealed well heads; stronger power poles, elevated transformers, surge protection and redundant service to critical facilities; and anchored storage tanks.

What FEMA requires

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing: seismic bracing for lines, conduit, piping, ductwork and water heaters; anchor roof-mounted equipment through a continuous load path; elevate or dry floodproof vulnerable components such as controls, panels, HVAC and machinery rooms, generators and fuel tanks, or use submersible-rated equipment where wiring can’t be elevated; install switches, circuit isolation, quick connects, camlocks, transfer switches and panels for backup power.
Pipes: joint restraints, flexible connections or more ductile pipe; continuous lining or encasement; shut-off valves to isolate damaged underground sections.
Water and wastewater: replace inundated pumps with submersible or inline pumps; elevate sewer access covers to the hydraulic grade line or use watertight frames and covers; seal well casings or raise well heads; buttress raw water intakes.
Electric power: looped or redundant service to critical facilities (not grid capacity expansion); surge suppressors and lightning arrestors; elevate pad transformers above base flood elevation; support pole transformers with multiple poles; replace poles with higher-rated poles (preferably two classes stronger) with guys and anchors; cross-brace H-frame poles; add guy-wires.
Storage tanks: anchor or stiffen base connections; install self-initiating disconnects and shut-off valves.

<table class="pt-table"><thead><tr><th>System</th><th>Pre-approved measures</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Mechanical, electrical, plumbing</td><td>Seismic bracing; secure roof equipment against wind; elevate or dry floodproof panels, HVAC, generators and fuel tanks; backup power connections, camlocks and transfer switches</td></tr><tr><td>Pipes</td><td>Joint restraints, flexible connections, more ductile pipe; continuous lining or encasement; shut-off valves on underground pipes</td></tr><tr><td>Water and wastewater</td><td>Submersible or inline pumps; elevated or watertight sewer access covers; sealed or raised well heads; buttressed raw water intakes</td></tr><tr><td>Electric power</td><td>Looped service or redundancy to critical facilities; surge suppressors and lightning arrestors; elevated pad transformers; multi-pole transformer support; higher-rated poles with guys and anchors; H-frame cross-bracing; added guy-wires</td></tr><tr><td>Storage tanks</td><td>Anchor or stiffen base connections; self-initiating disconnects and shut-off valves</td></tr></tbody></table>

Documentation

Equipment specifications, elevation or floodproofing designs, pole class ratings, and drawings for bracing, anchoring or redundant service.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Generator hookups (camlocks and transfer switches) are inexpensive and pay off in the next outage. Add them to any damaged critical facility’s electrical repair scope.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.