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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 51 - 100 of 109

EPA Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.

EPA Lead

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA webpage on lead in homes.

EPA Map of Radon Zones

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.

EPA Radon

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.

Extended Plate Wall System Expands Adoption of High-R Envelope Solutions

Author(s)
Burkett,
Lena; Gunderson,
Patti
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the Extended Plate Wall (EPW) a system that incorporates a 2-inch layer of foam plastic insulative sheathing within the framing for top and bottom plates, streamlining air sealing, window and door installation, weather resistive barrier application, and cladding attachment for...

Fall Protection

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Labor
Organization(s)
DOL
Publication Date
Webpage developed by OSHA to provide workers and employers useful, up-to-date information on fall protection.

Fans for Cooling

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.

FEMA Flood Map Service Center: Search By Address

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A address searchable geographic information system for visualizing the flood hazard of an address and its surrounding area.

FEMA P-530: Earthquake Safety at Home

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Fire Resistant Decks

Author(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.

Fire Sprinkler Coalitions

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
A webpage containing information on state-based fire sprinkler coalitions.

Firebreak: Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate

Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Publication Date
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

Firescaping

Author(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the different landscaping strategies near homes to lower the risk of a home's ignition from wildfire.

FireWise Research Fact Sheet Series

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Webpage listing 10 factsheets describing research by IBHS into wildfire causes and construction tips for reducing the risk of ignition.

Fortified Home Technical Resources

Author(s)
IBHS Fortified Home
Organization(s)
IBHS Fortified Home
Publication Date
Website providing guides, standards, and references describing the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home program to improve the disaster resistance of new and existing homes.

Generator Safety factsheet for consumers

Author(s)
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Organization(s)
ESFI
Publication Date
Webpage describing safe operation of backup electrical generators for use during power outages.

GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD GOLD Certification for Paints and Coatings

Author(s)
Greenguard Certification
Organization(s)
Greenguard Certification
Publication Date
Website explaining GREENGUARD Certification, which helps manufacturers create and helps buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Organization(s)
HFSC
Publication Date
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.

Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety

Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC
Publication Date
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.

House Siding Options, Plus Costs, Pros & Cons 2020

Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

How to Finish Exterior Foundation Insulation

Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs Colorado
Publication Date
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Insulating Attic Ceilings

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
NREL webpage for insulating attics.

Light Your Home

Author(s)
American Lighting Association
Organization(s)
ALA
Publication Date
American Lighting Association website homepage.

List of NFPA Codes & Standards

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Webpage published by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) that lists more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Mold

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings.

NFPA 25 - Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
An NFPA standard for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire sprinklers, including fire pump operation and flow tests, evaluation techniques such as sprinkler inspections, valve status tests, internal piping assessments, and forward flow tests for backflow preventers, and water storage system...

Prepare for Wildfire - Fire-Resistant Landscaping

Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.

PVWatts Calculator

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Website estimating energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world.

Quality Standards - ACCA

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Webpage of ACCA’s Quality Standards outlining precisely the procedures that contractors should follow when designing, installing, maintaining, repairing, and verifying indoor environment systems.

Radiant & Hydronics - ACCA

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Radiant, hydronics, geothermal -- they are a vital part of modern comfort and energy solutions. ACCA helps hydronics contractors operate at peak performance.

Regional Wildfire Retrofit Guides

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Webpage that provides regional guides to help home and business owners prioritize necessary retrofit projects for wildfire resistance.

Remodeling Magazine

Author(s)
Remodeling Magazine
Organization(s)
Remodeling Magazine
Publication Date
Remodeling Magazine website.

Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA guide on responsible appliance disposal for consumers.

Siding Cost.org

Author(s)
sidingcost.org
Organization(s)
sidingcost.org
Publication Date
Website providing the pros and cons of different siding materials for home building, including wood, vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick, metal, and stone.

Smart Ventilation Controls Boost Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality

Author(s)
Burkett Helen,
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
EERE
Publication Date
Fact sheet outlining the research behind how smart ventilation controls boost energy efficiency and indoor air quality, including research findings from seasonal temperature, timer, and real-time weather-based controls showing that all three systems showed potential for energy savings while...

Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC)

Author(s)
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation
Organization(s)
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation
Publication Date
The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation is the leading solar heating and cooling product certification program in North America, certifying to the requirements of International and Uniform Codes and Standards

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

Author(s)
Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Organization(s)
Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Publication Date
SPFA website homepage.