The hardcopy FIRM and the accompanying FISs are the official designation of SFHAs and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) for the NFIP. For the purposes of the NFIP, changes to the flood risk information published by FEMA may only be performed by FEMA and through the mechanisms established in the NFIP regulations (44 CFR Parts 59-78). These digital data are produced in conjunction with the hardcopy FIRMs and generally match the hardcopy map exactly. However, the hardcopy flood maps and flood profiles are the authoritative documents for the NFIP.

The hardcopy Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Studies (FISs) are the official designation of SFHAs and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) for the NFIP. For the purposes of the NFIP, changes to the flood risk information published by FEMA may only be performed by FEMA and through the mechanisms established in the NFIP regulations (44 CFR Parts 59-78). These digital data are produced in conjunction with the hardcopy FIRMs and generally match the hardcopy map exactly. However, the hardcopy flood maps and flood profiles are the authoritative documents for the NFIP.

Section 11 of FEMA's "Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Database Technical Reference: Preparing Flood Insurance Rate Map Databases (Nov. 2022)" document contains a detailed description of each attribute code and a reference to other relevant information.

https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/guidance-reports/guidelines-standards/technical-references-flood-risk-analysis-and-mapping

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_firm-database-technical-reference_112022.pdf