CSA W224:24 ✓ Most Recent

Preface 

This is the first edition of CSA W224, Coastal flood risk assessment for buildings and infrastructure. The purpose of this Standard is to a) provide guidance on coastal flood risk assessment; and b) inform the planning and design of buildings and infrastructure potentially exposed to coastal flood hazards. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the National Research Council Canada (NRC). This Standard was developed from the NRC publication Coastal flood risk assessment guidelines for building and infrastructure design: Supporting flood resilience on Canada’s coasts. Users will note that while much of the information has been updated and edited for clarity and brevity, key concepts from the NRC report have been retained. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Coastal Flood Risk Assessment for Buildings and Infrastructure, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Natural Resources, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 Inclusions 

This Standard applies to coastal flood risk assessments for communities, buildings, and infrastructure in Canada. The outcomes of such assessments are intended to inform the design of new buildings and infrastructure, and retrofitting measures for existing buildings and infrastructure. The Standard identifies a) a framework for conducting coastal flood hazard and risk assessments; b) data requirements; c) key concepts and terminology; d) levels of analysis and the circumstances in which they should be applied; e) recommendations for effective engagement; f) recommendations for establishing risk-based design criteria; g) methodologies for assessing coastal flood hazards and risk; and h) risk management, mitigation, and adaptation. 

1.2 Exclusions 

This Standard does not apply to coastal and marine infrastructure for which direct exposure to the water is a functional requirement (e.g., breakwaters, revetments, sea dikes, jetties, wharves, piers, quay walls, and other marine facilities). 

1.3 Users 

This Standard is intended for use by a) designers of buildings and infrastructure potentially exposed to coastal flood hazards; b) professionals involved in design for retrofitting of buildings and infrastructure for coastal flood resilience; c) authorities responsible for coastal flood resilience measures for buildings and infrastructure; d) owners and operators of buildings and infrastructure; e) educators for the purpose of knowledge transfer; f) community planners; and g) others with a vested interest in understanding or managing coastal flood hazards and risks to buildings and infrastructure. 

1.4 Applicability 

This Standard applies to flood risk assessments in coastal areas, including Canada’s marine coasts and the Great Lakes. This Standard might also be useful for informing flood risk assessments on the shores of other large lakes in Canada. 

1.5 Terminology 

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.