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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 101 - 150 of 188

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report providing a resource that communities can use to identify and evaluate a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk to natural hazards and disasters.

Moisture Barrier Systems, FEMA 1.9

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how typical wall moisture barrier systems work, the moisture barrier system and common problems associated with them; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Online geospatial map with interactive viewer showing flood risk areas and base flood elevations

National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletins

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Resources describing the National Flood Insurance Program's technical bulletins for flood zone construction, including foundation walls, corrosion protection, floodproofing, and breakaway walls among other topics.

Natural Hazards and Sustainability for Residential Buildings, FEMA P-798

Author(s)
Gromala David S,
Kapur Omar,
Kochkin Vladimir,
Line Philip,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Trusty Wayne
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Report describing the interactions, both positive and negative, between common green building practices and the robustness of residential buildings to withstand natural hazards.

NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, 2020 Edition, Volume 1: Part 1 Provisions, Part 2 Commentary, FEMA P-2082-1

Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Document presenting the minimum recommended requirements necessary for the design and construction of new buildings and other structures to resist earthquake ground motions throughout the United States.

NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, 2020 Edition, Volume II: Part 3 Resource Papers, FEMA P-2082-2

Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Document containing a series of resource papers that describe earthquake design components, including shear walls, resiliency, ground motion, and story drift and deflection, among others.

New and Substantially Improved Buildings - Fuel Systems

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide for fuel systems design including installation guidance and formulas for calculating loads and buoyancy forces for specifying number, type and capacity of strapping for hold-downs in flood-prone areas.

Non-Traditional Building Materials and Systems, FEMA 1.8

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing guidance on alternative building materials and techniques and their application in coastal environments, and discussing Engineered Wood Products, Structural Insulated Panels, Insulating Concrete Forms, Prefabricated Shear Walls and Moment Frames, Sprayed Closed-Cell Foam...

Pile Design and Installation, FEMA 3.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing basic information about pile design and installation, including pile types, sizes and lengths, layout, installation methods, bracing, field cutting, connections, and verifying capacities; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Red Cross
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Primary Frontal Dunes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date

Protect Your Property from Earthquakes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.

Protect Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.

Protect Your Property from Storm Surge

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.

Protect Your Property from Wildfires

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.

Protecting Utilities, FEMA 8.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the special considerations that must be made when installing utility equipment, such as fuel, sewage, and water/sewage lines in a coastal home, and presenting recommendations for utility protection; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction...

Protecting Windows and Openings in Buildings, FEMA PR-RA5

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Recovery Advisory document provide guidance related to the use and installation of opening protection systems to protect glazed openings (windows) from wind-borne debris during high-wind events.

Protection of Openings-Shutters and Glazing, FEMA 6.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing the selection and installation of storm shutters and impact-resistant glazing and other types of opening protection in windborne debris regions; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Ready: Winter Weather

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website providing consumers with general guidance on preparing for and surviving a winter storm.

Rebuilding After a Wildfire

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing conditions for wildfire, how a home catches fire, how to create a survivable space, the ideal fire resistant home.

Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations, FEMA P-550

Author(s)
Coulbourne Bill,
Haupt Matt,
Sundberg Scott,
Low David K,
Yeung Jimmy,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
URS Corporation,
DK Low and Associates,
Greenhorne and O'Mara,
Dewberry and Davis
Publication Date
Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

Reinforced Masonry Pier Construction, FEMA 3.4

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing an alternative to piles in V Zones and A Zones in coastal areas where soil properties preclude pile installation, but the need for an “open foundation system” still exists and recommendations for good masonry practices in coastal environments; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home...

Repairs, Remodeling, Additions, and Retrofitting - Flood, FEMA 9.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing NFIP requirements for repairs, remodeling, and additions, and discussing opportunities for retrofitting in coastal flood hazard areas with recommendations for exceeding the minimum NFIP requirements; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction...

Repairs, Remodeling, Additions, and Retrofitting - Wind, FEMA 9.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing requirements and opportunities for retrofitting, and making “best practice” recommendations for repairs, remodeling, and additions in coastal high wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Residential Safe Rooms - Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A fact sheet educating homeowners on the importance of residential safe rooms, including their cost and how to register a safe room with local officials.

Residential Tornado Safe Room Doors

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.

Roof Sheathing Installation, FEMA 7.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”