IS 16474:2016 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for flood resistant construction - guidelines for non-engineered buildings. This standard provides guidelines for planning, designing, and constructing non-engineered buildings to resist flood damage. It covers site selection, architectural features, structural components, and material choices to enhance the resilience of homes and small buildings in flood-prone areas.
Provides guidelines for flood resistant construction practices for non-engineered buildings.
Overview
- Status
- Current
- Usage level
- Specialized
- Domain
- Structural Engineering — Disaster Resilience and Retrofitting
- Type
- Guidelines
Also on InfraLens for IS 16474
Practical Notes
! The concept of Design Flood Level (DFL) is central; all protective measures, especially plinth height, are determined relative to the DFL.
! The code emphasizes a 'sacrificial ground floor' or 'wet-proofing' approach for high-risk zones, allowing water to pass through while protecting the upper floors.
! Focus on robust connections between foundation, walls, and roof is critical to prevent catastrophic failure from hydrodynamic forces and buoyancy.
Frequently referenced clauses
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International Equivalents
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International Comparison — Coming Soon
We're adding equivalent international standards for this code.
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Recommended minimum plinth height above DFL0.3 m
High intensity flood definition (velocity)> 2 m/s
High intensity flood definition (depth)> 2 m
Maximum recommended height of opening in wall below DFL0.6 m
Low intensity flood definition (velocity)< 1 m/s
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Flood Zoning and Site Selection Criteria
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Site Selection and Site Development
Clause 5 - Architectural and Structural Planning
Clause 6 - Building Materials and Construction
Clause 7 - Structural Design of Components
Annex B - Checklist for Flood Resistant Buildings
Frequently Asked Questions3
What is the recommended plinth height?+
At least 0.3 m above the Design Flood Level (DFL) for the area (Clause 5.3.1).
What are the main strategies for flood resistance?+
Key strategies include elevation (raising the building), use of stilts, flood barriers (dry-proofing), and allowing water to pass through (wet-proofing) (Clause 5).
Can I have large openings on the ground floor in a flood-prone area?+
No, openings below the DFL should be minimized and not exceed 0.6 m in height to maintain wall integrity against water pressure (Clause 7.4.2).
QA/QC Inspection Templates
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QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.