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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 1851 - 1900 of 2344

Revisions to the SRCC Rating Process for Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Huggins Jim,
Long Steven,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation,
SRCC,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Document discussing changes in testing the annual performance ratings for solar water heaters.

Rigid Insulating Sheathing Assumed Order of Work

Author(s)
NAHB Research Center
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.

Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Rodent Exclusion Methods

Author(s)
Extension
Organization(s)
Extension Foundation
Publication Date
Website providing information about how to prevent rodent entry in homes.

Roof Sheathing Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 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.”

Roof Underlayment for Asphalt Shingle Roofs, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for the use of roofing underlayment as an enhanced secondary water barrier in coastal environments and optional installation methods; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Roof Venting in a Wet Climate

Author(s)
Paul Fissette
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.

Roof-to-Wall and Deck-to-Wall Flashing, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the importance of proper roof and deck flashing, and typical and enhanced flashing techniques for coastal homes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Rooftop Solar Panel Attachment: Design, Installation, and Maintenance

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Recovery advisory guide providing guidance on existing code requirements as well as recommend best practices for attachment design, installation, and maintenance of rooftop solar panels to increase panel wind resistance in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria.

Room Air Conditioners

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Web page providing an overview of room-level air conditioning systems such as window units and mini-splits.

Safe Room Funding

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
FEMA information on safe room funding to regional governments.

Safety: Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Brochure for utility customers describing installation of an excess flow valve to automatically shut off natural gas flow into a home in the event of a gas line rupture.

San Francisco's Big Seismic Gamble

Author(s)
Fuller,
Singhvi,
Williams
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Article describing San Francisco and how impending seismic activity may affect modern skyscrapers.

Saving Energy through Advanced Power Strips

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Infographic providing details on choosing the right advanced power strip based on your habits to reduce the electricity wasted when your electronic devices are idle.

Scaling Up to Zero Energy Ready - and Down to 530 ft2

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Research report detailing Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) partnership with Manatee County Habitat for Humanity to design a compact, Zero Energy Ready Home in Florida, tackling challenges like equipment sizing and indoor air quality, offering insights for projects surpassing building code...

Science of Cool Roofs

Author(s)
CoolCalifornia.org
Organization(s)
CoolCalifornia.org
Publication Date
Webpage discussing the characteristics of sunlight and how cool roofs work to reduce solar heat gain.

Sealed Attics?

Author(s)
Coble Brian
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.

Sealed Combustion, Info-601

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about sealing combustion appliances to ensure good indoor air quality.

Securing Your Water Heater

Author(s)
Office of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
City of Seattle
Publication Date
A fact sheet providing homeowners with guidance on properly securing water heaters to prevent them from tipping in an earthquake.

Seismic Building Code Provisions for New Buildings to Create Safer Communities

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing improvements in the earthquake resistance of residential and commercial new construction through the adoption into the International Residential Code of seismic provisions including those developed by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

Seismic Design Map Tool

Author(s)
Structural Engineers Association of California,
California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Organization(s)
SEAOC,
OSHPD
Publication Date
Web-based tool that uses the USGS web services to retrieve seismic design data and presents it in a report format.

Seismic Design of Precast Concrete Diaphragms: A Guide for Practicing Engineers

Author(s)
Ghosh S K,
Cleland Ned M,
Naito Clay J,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC
Organization(s)
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
NIST
Publication Date
Document describing precast concrete earthquake design considerations including connections, detailing, and forces, among others.

Seismic Design Principles

Author(s)
Lorant
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Website providing an introduction to the concepts and principles of seismic design.

Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valve Requirements

Author(s)
City of Malibu
Organization(s)
City of Malibu
Publication Date
Fact sheet for natural gas customers describing city’s seismic gas shut-off valve requirements.

Seismic Retrofit Guide 2007

Author(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Organization(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Publication Date
Report promoting public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing homes.

Seismic Retrofit Guide 2012

Author(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Organization(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Publication Date
Report promoting public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing homes.

Seismic Retrofit Training For Building Contractors and Inspectors Participant Handbook

Author(s)
McCormick
Organization(s)
Woodward Clyde Federal Services and the Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Partnership,
Inc.
Publication Date
Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

Seismic Retrofitting

Author(s)
The Getty Conservation Institute
Organization(s)
The Getty Conservation Institute
Publication Date
Newsletter containing five articles focused on seismic retrofitting.

Seismic Safety of the Building Envelope

Author(s)
Arnold Chris
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Article outlining the key issues related to the protection of the building envelope against seismic forces.

Selecting a Lot and Siting the Building, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 2.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing guidance concerning lot selection and building siting considerations for coastal residential buildings, including factors that constrain siting decisions, coastal setback lines, common siting problems, and suggestions for builders, designers, and owners; also published in FEMA...

Selecting Caulk

Author(s)
Robinson Bill
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing various types of caulks and sealants, their formulas and best uses.

Selection Process - Replacement Windows

Author(s)
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Organization(s)
National Fenestration Rating Council,
NFRC
Publication Date
Step-by-step guide demonstrating replacement window selection process.

SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide

Author(s)
Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
Organization(s)
UFEI,
California Polytechnic State University,
Cal Poly
Publication Date
Website tool that can search for trees by name or characteristics and retrieve data describing tree attributes including site preferences and general characteristics and considerations.

Serenbe Nest Cottages

Author(s)
Butler T,
Curtis O,
Kim E,
Roberts S,
Stephenson R
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Southface
Publication Date
Report describing construction of test homes in Atlanta, GA meeting Building America savings targets and serving as a basis of design for other homes Martin Dodson plans to build within the Serenbe community.

Servicing High Efficiency Boilers Part 2

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Second part of an article series focusing on servicing high efficiency modcon boilers. This part focuses on paperwork and follow-up communication with the homeowner for scheduling annual maintenance.

Servicing High Efficiency Modcon Boilers

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the author's experiences in owning and servicing a modcon boiler.

Severe Weather Fire Safety Outreach Materials

Author(s)
U.S. Fire Administration
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Description webpage providing information about home fire safety during sever weather for consumers.