Skip to main content

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 150

FEMA Safe Room Resources

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

FEMA Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website explaining the purpose of safe rooms and criteria necessary to meet FEMA P-361 and P-320 criteria.

FEMA Shelter-in-Place Fact Sheets

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheets giving steps for residents to shelter in place during several disaster or emergency scenarios, including flash floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, active shooters, chemical hazards, nuclear/radiological events, pandemics, as well as guidance for...

FEMA Title 44 CFR § 60.3(e)(7))

Author(s)
FEMA
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
FEMA guidance for flood damage in areas prone to flooding.

Fire in California: Preparing Your Home

Author(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Organization(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Guidelines from the University of California Cooperative Extension on how fires spread, how homes typically burn, and what homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildfire season.

Fire Spread on Ember-Ignited Decks

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety into how burning embers can ignite softwood decks like redwood and cedar and how to minimize the likelihood these decks will be ignited by embers.

Firetherm

Author(s)
Firetherm
Organization(s)
Firetherm
Publication Date
An example of commercially available thermally expansive fire stopping products for controlling the spread of fires in a rainscreen cavity.

Fixing an Expansion Tank with Excess Water

Author(s)
PEX Universe
Organization(s)
PEX Universe
Publication Date
A webpage discussing how water heater expansion tanks operate and how to repair them.

Flame-Spread Ratings

Author(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Organization(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Publication Date
Site showing flame spread ratings and definitions for common building materials.

Flood Resistant Provisions of the International Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of the international codes (including the international building, residential, exiting building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire, swimming pool and spa, private sewage disposal, and code council performance codes) and summaries of changes from the...

Foundation and Anchoring Criteria for Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.

Freeze Protection for CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping

Author(s)
Prescott Fire Department
Organization(s)
Prescott Fire Department,
City of Prescott Arizona
Publication Date
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.

Gas safety tips

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Gas Shutoff Devices

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Guide to Staying Safe During Wildfires

Author(s)
SafeHome.org
Organization(s)
SafeHome.org
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to guard homes and properties against wildfire, as well as what to do during a wildfire, whether sheltering in place or attempting evacuation.

HardiPlank Lap Siding Butt Joint Flashing

Author(s)
Todd Fratzel
Organization(s)
Home Construction and Improvement
Publication Date
A article about the best practice method of installing fiber cement siding, to install flashing at the butt joints of the siding boards, rather than face caulking the butt joints afterwards.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.

Install Window Shutters

Author(s)
Knowles III,
Miller,
Ruppert,
Lenfesty,
Haldeman
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Is battery storage right for you?

Author(s)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Organization(s)
SMUD
Publication Date
Webpage describing benefits of adding battery storage to homes and an estimation tool.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Key Installation Checkpoints for Manufactured Stone Veneer

Author(s)
National Concrete Masonry Association
Organization(s)
National Concrete Masonry Association
Publication Date
Article providing guidance for installing manufactured stone veneer, including information on rainscreens.

Landscaping Tips

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide describing landscaping tips for healthy and regionally-based gardens, including maintenance, mulching, water efficiency, and plant resources.

Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors

Author(s)
EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website describing the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule that establishes requirements to reduce lead exposure for firms and individuals performing renovations that might disturb painted surfaces in buildings and homes built pre 1978 that might be occupied by children.

Learn About Brightness

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining the measurement of light bulbs, measurable in lumens, & brightness levels that ENERGY STAR products produce.

Learn About LED Lighting

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining the basics of LED lightning, their lifespan, their use in general lighting applications, the amount of heat produced, and why you should choose ENERGY STAR certified LED products for your home.

LED Bulbs Made Easy

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A fact sheet providing information on ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs & how to find the right one to fit your lighting fixture.

Lighting Controls

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website exploring the use of lighting controls products like dimmers, motion sensors and timers to save energy in the home.

Lighting Principles and Terms

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining basic lighting principles and terms & how they are applied to the home.

Lumens and the Lighting Facts Label

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining lumens & how to compare the amount of light that lightbulbs can produce when shopping for replacements.

Masonry Detailing Series

Author(s)
International Masonry Institute
Organization(s)
International Masonry Institute
Publication Date
Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

National Flood Hazard Layer

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

New National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires

Author(s)
National Research Council Canada
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada
Publication Date
Report for local governments, planners, emergency managers, developers, insurers, and property owners describing ways to improve the wildfire resistance of buildings, infrastructure and communities in the wildland urban interface.

New Source Performance Standards

Author(s)
EPA
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA federal regulations regarding stationary sources of air pollution.

NFIP Summary of Coverage

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure outlining what is covered under the National Flood Insurance Program

NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Standard establishing criteria for levels of health care services or systems based on risk to the patients, staff, or visitors in health care facilities to minimize the hazards of fire, explosion, and electricity.

Oilheat America: Burners

Author(s)
Oilheat America
Organization(s)
Oilheat America
Publication Date
A website providing information on the purpose of burners and the components used in burners.