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
Cl. 4Site Selection and Site Development
Cl. 5Architectural and Structural Planning
Cl. 6Building Materials and Construction
Cl. 7Structural Design of Components
Annex B - Checklist for Flood Resistant Buildings
brick masonryconcretesteeltimber
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
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.