Showing results 1 - 100 of 1165
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Example of the advanced framing technique, double-stud wall cavity, which will later be filled with blown insulation
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Impervious surfaces like patio slabs, sidewalks, and driveways that are within 10 feet of the home should slope away from the house.
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Install mesh insect barrier along the bottom of the rain screen behind the exterior cladding of above-grade walls
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These folding louvered porch doors provide effective shade from low-angle east and west sunlight and can open for views; the photovoltaic panels overhead allow in filtered natural light
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A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic
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A 5,000- 6,000 Btu/hr air conditioner drawing about 500 watts can be installed in one window of a designated cool room (it is important that the installation is insulated and well-sealed
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A battery storage system can provide reliable back-up power during a grid power outage
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A battery storage system's capacity is shown using three different usage approaches.
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A combination of brackets and self-locking drawers. Drawer closures should be used to protect the home during seismic events.
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A cone or disc of plastic or sheet metal can be installed on pipes and downspouts to prevent rodents from climbing up the outside and gaining access to the roof
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A continuous drainage mat rainscreen made from vacuum-molded plastic provides uniform support for the siding and allows moisture to flow horizontally and diagonally in addition to vertically.
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A continuous load path uses structural connections to transfer horizontal and vertical loads from the roof to the foundation to help keep the building intact in high-wind and seismic events
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A cool roof utilizes materials with high solar reflectance and thermal emittance to reflect solar energy and reduce heat gain to the home
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A cool room should have low enough heat gains to be easily cooled by a small single-zone cooling system such as a mini-split or a window air-conditioner as shown here
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A Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a highly effective DIY air cleaner made of easy to obtain materials such as HVAC filters, a box fan, cardboard, and tape
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A cross-section of a vinyl-framed window showing metal reinforcement which helps support the window and prevent collapse if exposed to heat from a fire.
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A deck or other attached structure located at the top of a slope with vegetation underneath is at high risk of ignition during a wildfire
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A dense concentration of buildings and pavement can create the Urban Heat Island Effect, where local temperatures can be several degrees higher than the surrounding areas
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A dormer with an openable window (not shown) can provide access to the roof if flood waters rise too high and too quickly; the dormer should be properly insulated, flashed, and air sealed
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A dry hydrant is a pipe a homeowner can have installed in a natural water source on their rural property to provide easy access to the water by firefighting crews.
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A drywell, shown here used for downspout catchment, can also be used to receive water from a French drain.
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A flat plate solar hot water system heat potable water in a glass covered collector that sits on the roof.
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A French drain contains a perforated drain pipe wrapped in rock and landscape fabric.
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A fuel tank elevated above the design flood elevation on a platform in a high velocity flow area.
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A fuel tank is strapped onto a concrete slab at the top of compacted fill above the DFE.
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A fuel tank should be anchored with ground anchors designed for site conditions to maintain secure connection to its base in a flood or earthquake
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A gable end failure due to improper bracing caused collapse of most of the trusses on this roof under hurricane force wind conditions.
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A green strip is a type of fuel break planted with less flammable vegetation; e.g., crested wheatgrass.
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A layer of pea gravel or crushed stone, 4 inches thick and sloped 5%, provides a pest-resistant ground break around the perimeter of a slab foundation
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A layer of pea gravel or crushed stone, 4 inches thick and sloped 5%, provides a pest-resistant ground break around the perimeter of a basement foundation
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A low-sloped shed roof with the thermal boundary located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic
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A masonry chimney is reconstructed to withstand seismic forces by adding an insert to the existing firebox
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A masonry chimney is reconstructed to withstand seismic forces by completely retrofitting the firebox and chimney using light-frame construction on the top of the foundation
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A masonry chimney is reconstructed to withstand seismic forces by maintaining the current firebox but replacing the chimney section with a metal flue and light-weight chimney enclosure.
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A masonry chimney is shortened and capped at roof level to reduce its chances of detaching in high winds or earthquakes; the fireplace can no longer be used.
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A metal storm panel is installed in a track permanently mounted above and below the window frame and secured with wing nuts to studs mounted on the track.
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A mini-split air-conditioning system can be a highly effective low-energy approach to provide cooling to one designated zone in the house
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A molded plastic drainage board rainscreen allows vertical drainage while providing uniform support for the siding and resisting compression from screws and nails.
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A patio and wall constructed of noncombustible concrete, stone, or brick helps to deflect heat and protect the deck and house from approaching wildfires.
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A permanent awning prevents snow and overflowing ice dams from causing damage to HVAC equipment below.
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A piece of siding is used as sill extension and to provide slope in the opening for the window, which is deeper because exterior rigid foam has been added
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A plastic fiber drainage mat rainscreen provides uniform support for the siding and allows moisture to flow horizontally and diagonally in addition to vertically.
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A professional tree survey should be made prior to construction to assess the health and usefulness of each tree surrounding the future home and to determine which trees on a building site should be preserved.
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A raised wood pier foundation can raise the subfloor above the design flood elevation.
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A resilient home with storm shutters, a sump pump that drains to a french drain, rainwater collection, solar thermal and PV, and raised garden beds.
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A resilient multifamily building in Puerto Rico constructed of concrete on a raised slab foundation with a hip roof design for wind resistance and deep overhangs and permanent awnings to keep sun and rain off windows.
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A reversible window fan can operate via thermostatic or remote control and can selectively exhaust air or bring in outdoor air
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A roughed-in fire sprinkler head (left) and fire sprinkler riser (right), both using CPVC piping.
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A screened-in porch will protect windows from rain, provide shade, and allow more airflow through windows than window screens would
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A seismic shut off valve with a stopper to cease the flow of gas to a property during the event of an earthquake.
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A seismic snubber is a type of bracket specifically designed to anchor heavy equipment to the floor to restrain it in the event of an earthquake.
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A self-sufficient water system for a home could include a rooftop cistern and solar thermal water heater.
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A shaded fuel break is created on forested lands when trees are thinned, tree canopies are raised by removing lower branches, and the understory vegetation is managed to reduce the fire threat.
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A shallow, open floor plan allows free flow of cross ventilation through the house
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A simple kit for anchoring a TV, appliance, or furniture to a wall may include straps, attachment hardware, and screws for attaching both to the appliance and to the wall
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A single-story house floor plan showing braced wall line locations at A through E and 1 through 5
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A swale and berm can be installed together across a slope to slow the downhill flow of water.
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A thermosiphon solar hot water system heats a fluid in the solar collector; the heated fluid heats potable water in a roof top tank.
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A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.
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A variety of battery-powered fans can be used for a cool room without electric power; most charge off a USB charger so they can be solar charged
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A wall assembly approved for use in the wildland-urban interface has 5/8-inch type X gypsum installed exterior of the wood sheathing and an exterior covering or siding that has a 1-hour fire-resistance rating
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A water heater and furnace are protected from flood waters by a concrete floodwall, with a shielded, gasketed door.
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A water heater is anchored to 2 x 4 wood blocking that is attached to the wall studs.
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Above-ground welded-steel cistern with hydrant for fire engine hose hookup installed on private land for residential fire suppression.
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Accordion-type hurricane shutters protect sliding glass doors from high winds and wind-borne debris.
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Add metal connectors to strengthen framing connections in an existing wall from inside the home by removing drywall.
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Adding planted terraces to a sloped yard can slow down runoff and reduce erosion
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Adjustable weatherstripping can be installed around the interior side of the door frame to help keep out wind-blown rain and embers and hot gasses from wildfires (FEMA 577).
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Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam
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Air speeds generated by a typical ceiling fan are in the ideal range for providing occupant cooling without causing disruption
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Air-Impermeable Insulation for Condensation Control in Unvented Attics, per IRC Table 806.5.
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Airflow can be directed across thermal mass in the ceiling, floor, or elsewhere inside the home through various window and louver configurations
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All electrical system components should be raised above the design flood elevation to protect against water and speed up recovery, unless properly designed to be water-tight per code requirements.
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All holes through the top plates should be sealed with canned spray foam to prevent conditioned air from leaking into the attic.
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All populated regions in the United States can experience an extreme heat event, whether northern or southern, humid or dry, or urban or rural
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Although crawlspaces are not recommended in flood-prone areas, they can be designed or retrofitted to greatly increase resistance to flood damage.
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An alternative design includes strapping the tank to concrete counterweights on opposite sides of the tank.
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An anchor side plate is used to connect the concrete foundation to the sill plate from the exterior as part of a seismic retrofit when the sill plate is not accessible from the interior of the home
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An earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff valve is attached to the natural gas pipeline between the meter and the house, downstream of the meter, to stop the flow of gas into the house if an earthquake occurs.
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An engineered bioswale uses perforated pipe laid in rock and landscape fabric at the bottom of a vegetated trench to direct water away from a site.
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An example of a vertical California Seismic Valve
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An exterior metal staircase was added to this concrete building for roof access and refuge during tsunamis in Kesennuma, Japan
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An exterior wall braced using the let-in-bracing (LIB) method with no exterior sheathing
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An externally insulated slab-on-grade is pest-protected by a metal termite shield under sill plate, metal-flashing-wrapped foam under siding, a removable inspection strip of PVC-covered foam, and 2 feet of gravel next to the foundation.
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An indoor water heater should be secured to the wall’s studs to prevent it from moving or tipping over in the event of an earthquake