Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) reports
Expert advice that will save you money and stress long term
FRA Reports To Fulfil Planning Obligations And Ensure Risk-Free Construction
You may have to complete a flood risk assessment as part of your planning application. In providing leading civil engineering services, we understand that FRA reports are vital to the success of a project. We handle all structural surveys, structural designs, and structural calculations to help you get the best results.
As experienced Civil Engineers, The Home Engineers team will assess the severity of flood risk to the building. This will consider a number of important factors, namely the property location.
What’s Included In Flood Risk Assessment Reports?
An FRA report must be completed by a professional to ensure all relevant information is collected and nothing is missed on-site. The report must be thorough as it will be submitted to the local authority for review. The key elements of an FRA report include:
The site address.
Detailed description of your development.
The estimated flood level of the development, including potential changes due to climate change.
Any flood resistance or resilience plans.
A review of local flood risk and relevant flood modelling documents.
Details of finished floor levels.
Any supporting drawings.
Flood mitigation plans.
While these are the common features of a FRA report, each will be created specific to the needs of each client and project. As such, there may be additional checks and information. This isn’t a cause for concern but it may result in the report taking longer to write.
What To Expect From Us
We work as a seamless addition to your project team, providing our services where they are needed. By completing a flood risk assessment to professional standards, you’ll have a strong base to work from for even the most at-risk development.
Using more than a decade’s worth of experience and proven excellence across a wide range of projects, you can expect:
Initial assessment
If you find you need a strategic flood risk assessment, we first review the site to identify potential areas of concern. This not only helps us complete the report quickly and to a high standard, but also enables us to provide an accurate quote.
In depth assessment
Your civil engineer or team of civil engineers will conduct a thorough assessment of the building site and the surrounding area. This includes taking accurate measurements and making in-depth analyses to determine the level of flood risk.
Expertise and experience
Our assessment of flood risk is conducted using our team’s expertise and all the experience they’ve gained from numerous similar projects. This ensures any recommendations and reports are delivered to the highest possible standard. We stay up to date on high-flood-risk areas in the UK by following official classifications from local institutions.
Quality delivered quickly
One aspect of our services we are particularly proud of is our rapid responses to queries and quotes. We understand the importance of obtaining planning permission when executing a project on schedule.
On your side support
Where necessary, our engineers will have your back throughout the project. If we recommend additional flood defences are put in place for example, we’ll be there to ensure this advice is followed by contractors later down the line.
Why do I Need A Flood Risk Assessment?
If you want to complete a development that falls within a flood risk area, as defined by the Environment Agency Flood Zones, it is a planning requirement. This is true if the development:
Is in an area with critical drainage problems.
Classified as being in flood zones 2, 3, or 3b.
Has a site of 1 hectare or more in flood zone 1.
Is within flood zone 1 and a strategic flood risk assessment shows the risk of flooding will increase during its lifetime
Increases the vulnerability classification.
In addition, an FRA report may be required if the site or property in question has flooded in the past, or has been listed as a flood risk by the insurance company due to previous data. This is because it falls under the due diligence requirements of a property purchase. Another reason you might need to complete a FRA report is to obtain environmental accreditations, such as BREEAM.
Why We're Right For You
Reliable
We are a team of detail-oriented professionals committed to offering a reliable service throughout every single project. To meet this commitment, we provide trusted expertise to both new and returning clients across every phase of their project, from initial consultation to final sign-off.
Innovative
Our forward-thinking engineers strive to remain at the cutting-edge of the industry. Our focus on innovation has established us as leaders in the engineering sector, and we work tirelessly to stay ahead of the latest developments.
Focused
Our primary goal is to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients and their projects. By wholeheartedly embracing the latest technologies, we are equipped to offer creative solutions to a full range of engineering challenges, from the simplest to the most complex.
Responsive
Our reputation is built on our capacity to respond swiftly to our clients’ needs. We work hard to ensure that a member of our team is available to address all of your inquiries, concerns, and questions without delay.
Get In Touch
Any changes to your project or property will require an expert and knowledgeable hand. This is where it’s about not only finding a structural engineer but the right one.
We are competent, driven professionals with excellent attention to detail. Our business is built to provide clients with authentic and reliable service.
To provide the best service, we focus on consistency and remain approachable for all our new and existing clients, no matter what development ideas or project plans you have.
Get in touch now by emailing or using the contact form below.
FAQs
Flood risk areas are defined by the Environment Agency and if your planned works fall within one of these areas you will likely need to complete an FRA. Generally, this applies to buildings on land within Flood Zones 2 and 3. In addition, your local authority may also deem a FRA necessary if they’re concerned about water levels or drainage problems.
A good example of a low risk development is a simple home extension or any development that takes place in an area with a low flood risk. Be advised that certain developments will still require a FRA even if they are categorised as low risk.
The Local Planning Authority may request a drainage strategy be put in place if it is felt that the new development should demonstrate that runoff has been considered. This isn’t always the case. It will depend on the area of your development.
Yes. Depending on the nature of the project, failure to include a satisfactory FRA could result in your local planning authority (LPA) refusing your planning application.
Completing a FRA is a relatively simple and straightforward process, especially if it’s found that there is low flood risk for the development. However, the cost can increase depending on the type of development, as well as the size and location of the site. The Home Engineers provide fixed fee services so you’ll know exactly how much your FRA report will cost.
Yes. Under government regulations you need a FRA for all minor developments, which includes extensions and changes of use. Although this still only applies to those in flood zones 2,3, and 3b, as well as large site areas within flood zone 1.