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(c) shall include, in Zones A, AO, AE, and Al-30, flood openings to automatically <br />equalize hydrostatic flood forces on walls by allowing for the entry and exit of <br />floodwaters. To meet this requirement, the openings must either be certified by a <br />professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum design <br />criteria.• <br />(i) A minimum of two flood openings on different sides of each enclosed area <br />subject to flooding; <br />(ii) The total net area of all flood openings must be at least one (1) square inch <br />for each square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding; <br />(iii) If a building has more than one enclosed area, each enclosed area must <br />have flood openings to allow floodwaters to automatically enter and exit; <br />(iv)The bottom of all required flood openings shall be no higher than one (1) <br />foot above the adjacent grade; <br />(v) Flood openings maybe equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings <br />or devices, provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both <br />directions; and <br />(vi) Enclosures made of flexible skirting are not considered enclosures for <br />regulatory purposes, and, therefore, do not require flood openings. <br />Masonry or wood underpinning, regardless of structural status, is <br />considered an enclosure and requires flood openings as outlined above. <br />(5) Additions/Improvements. <br />(a) Additions and/or improvements to pre-FIRMstructures when the addition and/or <br />improvements in combination with any interior modifications to the existing structure <br />are: <br />(i) not a substantial improvement, the addition and/or improvements must <br />be designed to minimize flood damages and must not be any more non- <br />conforming than the existing structure. <br />(ii) a substantial improvement, both the existing structure and the addition <br />and/or improvements must comply with the standards for new <br />construction. <br />(b) Additions to post-FIRMstructures with no modifications to the existing structure <br />other than a standard door in the common wall shall require only the addition to <br />comply with the standards for new construction. <br />(c) Additions and/or improvements to post-FIRMstructures when the addition and/or <br />improvements in combination with any interior modifications to the existing structure <br />are: <br />21 <br />