The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the NFIP. It is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F. The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate Post-FIRM (after 09/29/1978) buildings, which are buildings constructed after publication of the FIRM located in Flood Zones. The Elevation Certificate is not required for Pre-FIRM (before 09/29/1978) buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional Post-FIRM (after 09/29/1978) flood insurance rules. Use of this certificate does not provide a waiver of the flood insurance purchase requirement.