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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 201 - 246 of 246

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.
Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
An introduction to the insect termites.
Author(s)
Stephen T. Peters,
Ian N. Robertson
Organization(s)
University of Hawaii College of Engineering
Publication Date
Description
Projectile missile testing of various wall panel configuration to understand how the different wall constructions would perform when struck with wind driven debris from a hurricane.
Author(s)
Texas A&M University
Organization(s)
Texas A&M University,
University of Maryland
Publication Date
Description
Article from Texas A&M University and the University of Maryland analyzing why and how urban flooding happens and what can be done to mitigate damage.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist.
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Webpage with data on the 20 largest wildfires in California that occurred between the year 1932 and present day.
Author(s)
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Organization(s)
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Publication Date
Description
Online course describing the behavior of wildfires for firefighters.
Author(s)
Marty Ahrens
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
A report examining the presence, reliability, effectiveness, and impact of sprinkler systems in structure fires.
Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USFS
Publication Date
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
BSD-102 report providing guidance about whether to construct a vented or unvented attic based on hygro-thermal zone.
Author(s)
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
SCEC,
University of Southern California
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) on identifying key problem spots on unreinforced masonry chimneys and how to retrofit them to withstand seismic forces.
Author(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding on homes.
Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to construct or retrofit a home to increase is resistance to high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Author(s)
Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute
Organization(s)
BEMMI
Publication Date
Description
A presentation about the need for rainscreens including the damage water and moisture ingress into a home’s siding and framing can cause, and ways to design a resilient wall that drains and ventilates well.
Author(s)
Smegal,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Water Management System Builder Checklist.
Author(s)
San Diego County Fire Authority
Organization(s)
San Diego County
Publication Date
Description
A San Diego County standard outlining the requirements for installing fire protection water tanks.
Author(s)
NW Natural
Organization(s)
NW Natural
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from NW Natural on how to prepare homes with natural gas service for earthquakes and floods, what to do during an emergency, and how to respond after the emergency has passed.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet explaining how weatherstripping can be an easy and cost-effective way to save money on energy costs and improve comfort by reducing drafts.
Author(s)
Don Jackson
Organization(s)
The Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.
Author(s)
MBS Engineering
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
An informational guide established to educate the public on seismic shut-off valves and how to avoid fires following an earthquake.
Author(s)
Krejci Cassie,
Muncaster John
Organization(s)
Polyguard
Publication Date
Description
An article describing a way to protect drain and ventilation holes in brick veneer siding against pests. Selecting a fine screen mesh opening (1/55-inch or 0.5-mm) is important to guard against small insects such as subterranean termites.
Author(s)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from IBHS on modifications to homes to prepare for a wildfire if evacuation orders are anticipated for the area.
Author(s)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Center for Science Education
Organization(s)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Center for Science Education
Publication Date
Description
A heat map showing the average number of tornadoes per year across the United States
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and how to plan residential building to mitigate wildfire risks associated with building in the WUI.
Author(s)
Marilou Cheple,
Patrick H. Huelman
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
ASHRAE,
ORNL,
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings describing moisture from basements and crawlspaces as a source of indoor humidity and providing recommendations for finishing below-grade spaces to limit potential indoor...
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from USDA and U.S. Forest Service with a map of potential wildfire risk across the U.S.
Author(s)
Restaino Christina,
Kocher Susan,
Shaw Nicole,
Hawks Steven,
Murphy Carlie,
Quarles Stephen L
Organization(s)
University of Nevada Reno Extension,
University of California Cooperative Extension,
Tahoe Resource Conservation District,
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Guide from University of Nevada, Reno Extension providing specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing homes for wildfire resilience.
Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.
Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the behavior of wildfires.
Author(s)
DisasterSafety.org
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
A webpage providing guidance on increasing the wildfire resistance of a home.
Author(s)
Congressional Research Service
Organization(s)
CRS
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing recent statistics on wildfires in the U.S.
Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.
Author(s)
U.S. Fire Administration
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from USFA compiling resources from across the U.S. on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) information.
Author(s)
CAL FIRE Fire Engineering Division
Organization(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal,
CAL FIRE - OSFM
Publication Date
Description
A list of exterior building products and materials approved for use in wildland urban interface zoned homes. These products are non-combustible or ignition-resistant.
Author(s)
Department of Resource Management Building Division
Organization(s)
County of Shasta California
Publication Date
Description
An example of wildland urban interface construction requirements for new buildings built in very high fire risk zones/areas.
Author(s)
University of Missouri Extension
Organization(s)
University of Missouri
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how generators being used for backup power during outages can lead to safety concerns.
Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.