This may have been mentioned before but I could not find any discussion. The underwriter is telling me that the decorative wood lattice which is under two sides of the living space (addition at rear of home built on piers) is considered a flood opening and wants the area indicated on the EC. The decorative lattice under the bay window and porch out from the block foundation do not.
A house can be considered a "5" if it has decorative lattice, so I take that to mean that it would not need to be vented. It's basically the same as no enclosure at all.
This is sort of a strange situation, as the main part of the house is on an enclosed block foundation, with crawl space and vents.
I have been asked to add this information as a supplemental revisional note.
The following building scenarios are also classified by the NFIP as free of obstructions:
•Below BFE space is surrounded by insect screening and/or by wooden or plastic lattice, slats, or shutters (louvers), if at least 40 percent of the lattice and louver area is open. Lattice can be no thicker than ½"; slats or louvers can be no thicker than 1".
just a little rant
I'm so tired of insurance agents that try to tell me how to apply the rules and fill out MY form. I see it all the time.
I tell them they can fill out the one they sign and seal any way they want.
If they want special pictures or details, they know the address of the property.
I hear that "FEMA says...." (fill in the blank) at least twice a week. So I just say, forward that letter from FEMA or give me the contact name so I can verify. chirp chirp.
WE ARE THE ONES LIABLE FOR THIS INFORMATION. Why do so many of us let lay people tell us what to do? (not necessarily in this case, just "venting" haha)
Now I have to go tell a guy that all the smart vents he just paid big bucks to have installed in his concrete block wall won't be going on my form, since they are all too high. Oh, and the agent told him interior walls could be vented and counted too.
ok, thanks, I feel better. 😉
just a little rant
:good: I wholeheartedly agree. I spend an inordinate amount of time "educating" some insurance agents about NFIP and EC issues only to have them provide the same inaccurate information again and again. It's always tough to be the bearer of bad news when informing a client that they backed the wrong horse and should have contacted the land surveyor BEFORE making construction decisions that end up costing them time and money. Then again I'm a bit unreasonable and obstinate... just because I refuse to fill in the Elevation Certificate like the agent says I should.
just a little rant
I agree also with this rant. It's nice to have this place to "vent"