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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 274

ASCE/SEI 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind, and fire loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016 and is available in both digital...

ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures

Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, seismic, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2022 and is available in both digital...

ASTM C 926-22c - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2022, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

ASTM C 926-23 - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2023, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

ASTM C509 - 06 (2011): Standard Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2011 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2021, 2015, 2006, and...

ASTM C509 - 06 (2021): Standard Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2015, 2011, 2006, and...

ASTM C518 - 21: Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method providing a rapid means of determining the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is...

ASTM C920-18 Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...

ASTM D7032 - 21 Standard Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite and Plastic Lumber Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards, and Handrails

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard for wood-composite decking and guardrail materials under a variety of tests, including fire performance and UV resistance. This standard was produced in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of this standard...

ASTM E1827 - 22: Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
These test methods describe two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may be configured to a single zone. This standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard...

ASTM E2112 - 19c: Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. The current version of the standard was published in the year 2019, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Previous versions of this standard that are available for preview and...

ASTM E2112 – 07: Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. This version of the standard was published in the year 2007, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Other versions of this standard that are available for preview and purchase at...

ASTM E2178 - 21A: Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate and Calculation of Air Permeance of Building Materials

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method designed to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions...

ASTM E2634 - 18(2022): Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
A specification covering the application of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) that act as permanent formwork for cast-in-place reinforced concrete beams & walls. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions...

ASTM E3087-18: Standard Test Method for Measuring Capture Efficiency of Domestic Range Hoods

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method that measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chamber. The current version of this standard is available for preview and purchase at the link and was published in the year 2018. A previous version of this standard is...

ASTM E779 -19: Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that details a test method measuring air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization. This version of the standard was published in the year 2019 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the...

ASTM F1249 - 20: Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method designed to obtain reliable values for the WVTR of plastic film and sheeting. This version of the standard was published in the year 2020 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2013, 2011, 2006, 2001...

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPVC-CC-BPV) - 2017

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction. This version of the code was published in the year 2017 and is available to order at the referenced link. There are also versions...

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPVC-CC-BPV) - 2021

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction. This version of the code was published in the year 2021 and is available to order at the referenced link. There are also versions...

Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs

Author(s)
Quarles,
Pohl
Organization(s)
USFS,
IBHS
Publication Date
Report examining the cost differences between a typical home and a home constructed using wildfire-resistant materials and design features.

Building Code Requirements That Exceed or Are More Specific Than the National Flood Insurance Program

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing the flood-resistant provisions of the 2021 International Codes and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 24-14, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, that are “higher standards” and that are more specific than the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Building Energy Efficiency Standards - Title 24

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Website providing information about the Title 24 building energy efficiency standards for the State of California and links to current and past standards including the 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016 standards, etc.

Building Performance Institute Certified Professionals

Author(s)
Building Performance Institute
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
A comprehensive list of professional certifications offered by the Building Performance Institute. The webpage includes links to overviews of the different certificates, certification scheme handbooks, and directions for taking certification exams and recertification.

California Code of Regulations C-36 - Plumbing Contractor

Author(s)
California Contractors State License Board
Organization(s)
CSLB
Publication Date
California State Code of Regulations, Title 16, Division 8, Article 3, listing requirements for plumbing contractors.

California Plumbing Code 2019

Author(s)
State of California
Organization(s)
State of California
Publication Date
2019 version of California's plumbing code.

Certified Home Ventilating Products Directory

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Color and Mood

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
A website explaining the various shades of light, from warm to cool colors, with a visual diagram illustrating the various shades of light.

Combustion Appliance Safety Inspection for Vented Appliances

Author(s)
Building Performance Institute
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Fact sheet that details the steps needed to perform a combustion appliance safety inspection to determine if fossil fuel-fired appliances are operating safely under a depressurized condition.

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2012

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2021

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

CRI Research and Resources - Downloadable Fact Sheets

Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Webpage containing downloadable fact sheets covering carpet-related topics including Indoor Air Quality, Asthma and Allergy, Cleaning Products, and Environmental Sustainability.

CSA 6.19-01 (R2016) - Residential carbon monoxide alarming devices

Author(s)
Canadian Standards Association International,
CSA Group
Organization(s)
CSA International,
CSA Group
Publication Date
Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2001 and revised in...

CSA 6.19-17 (R2022) - Residential carbon monoxide alarming devices

Author(s)
CSA Group
Organization(s)
CSA Group
Publication Date
Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2017 and revised in...

DOE Building Energy Codes Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website providing information on U.S. residential and commercial building codes including adoption status.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website listing implementation timelines and links to various versions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home national program requirements.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Homepage for DOE's Zero Energy Ready Homes program.

DSA Gas Shut off Valves Certification Program

Author(s)
California Division of the State Architect
Organization(s)
DSA,
California Department of General Services,
DGS
Publication Date
A quick guide from the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) explaining the three types of gas shutoff devices to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

Earthquake Building Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website providing links to building codes, seismic codes, code enforcement, safe buildings, and seismic retrofitting.

EC-6: Rolled Erosion Control Products

Author(s)
Mile High Flood District
Organization(s)
MHFD
Publication Date
A best-practices guide compiled to reduce the effects of erosion and enhance vegetation establishment and survivability on slopes and channels.

ENERGY STAR HVAC Design Report

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
This report is designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2-2010/2013 and ANSI/ACCA’s 5 QI-2015 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.