Glossary

Underground Building

A building for which 50% or more of the Actual Cash Value (ACV), including machinery and equipment that are part of the building, is below ground.

Underserved Populations/Communities

Groups that have limited or no access to resources or that are otherwise disenfranchised. These groups may include people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged; people with limited English proficiency; geographically isolated or educationally disenfranchised people; people of color as well as those of ethnic and national origin minorities; women and children; individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; and seniors.

Unfinished Area

An enclosed area that is used only for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage purposes and that does not meet the definition of a finished (habitable) area. Drywall used for fire protection is permitted in unfinished areas.

Unit

A unit owned by the policyholder in a condominium building.

United States Fire Administration (USFA)

An office within the Preparedness Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Universal Air Connection (UAC)

The RIC UAC provides a standard connection that allows a rescue breathing air supply to be connected to a victim firefighter or other emergency services responder's SCBA to replenish the breathing air in the SCBA breathing air cylinder when the victim cannot be rapidly moved to a safe atmosphere.

Unmet Needs

The deficit between verified disaster-caused damages and obtainable disaster aid, including insurance assistance, Federal and State assistance, and personal resources.

U.S. ACCESS BOARD

United States Access Board.

USACE

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USGS

United States Geological Survey.

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)

A federally funded program designed to assist jurisdictions considered at high risk for incidents involving weapons of mass destruction.

Urban Community

A community generally described as a city. It has a dense population in many areas, fire hydrants, well-developed commercial areas and many multistory buildings. Most urban communities have little or no undeveloped areas.

Username

A unique identifying log-in name for an online application.

USAR

Federally sponsored and sanctioned teams designated for urban search and rescue.

Utilities

If a proposed building site is in an Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the building support utility systems for all new construction and substantial improvements shall:

(1) Be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

(2) Require within flood-prone areas new and replacement water supply systems to be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems;

(3) Require within flood-prone areas new and replacement sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters; and

(4) Require onsite water disposal systems be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.

If a subdivision proposal or other proposed new development is in a flood-prone area, any such proposals shall be reviewed to assure that all public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flooding.

National Flood Insurance Program Requirements

• 60.3 - Flood plain management criteria for flood-prone areas
  • (a) (3) (iv) Building Utility Systems
  • (a) (4) (ii)
  • (a) (5)
  • (a) (6)
  • (c) (3) (ii) Building Utility Systems in Floodproofed Buildings
  • (c) (8) (ii) Building Utility Systems in Zone AO

Other Applicable NFIP Regulations

• 60.3 - Flood plain management criteria for flood-prone areas
  • (a) (3)
  • (c) (2)
  • (c) (3)
  • (e) (4)
  • (e) (5)

Upstream Construction

Method whereby the construction of the tailings dam proceeds in an upstream direction from a starter dam, over previously deposited tailings (from the International Commission on Large Dams Dictionary).