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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 51 - 66 of 66

Renewable Energy Ready Home Solar Water Heating Specification Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The RERH specifications and checklists take a builder and a project design team through the steps of assessing a home’s solar resource potential and defining the minimum structural and system components needed to support a solar energy system.

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.

Solar Photovoltaic Specification, Checklist and Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guidelines to assist builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the completion of the home’s construction easier and less expensive.

Solar Water Heating Specification, Checklist and Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Specifications to assist builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the completion of the home’s construction easier and less expensive.

Sprinkler Insulation - A Literature Review

Author(s)
Merrifield Brian
Organization(s)
Fire Protection Research Foundation,
FPRF,
National Fire Protection Association,
NFPA
Publication Date
Literature review from NFPA on the use of insulation to protect the piping in home fire sprinkler systems from freezing conditions.

Stormproof Your Roof: Self-Adhering Underlayment Provides Critical Protection In Vulnerable Locations

Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing ways to protect roofs from water infiltration by using self-adhering underlayment in vulnerable locations such as roof valleys, eave edges (to help deal with ice dams), rake edges, roofs to vertical walls (such as dormers), sidewall protection, the bottom of dormer valleys, and...

The Scary Crawlspace

Author(s)
Hales
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the risks associated with vented and unvented crawlspaces in different climate zones.

Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist Guidebook

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist.

Water Management System Builder Checklist Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Water Management System Builder Checklist.

Water Safety in Buildings

Author(s)
World Health Organization
Organization(s)
World Health Organization
Publication Date
This text is one of series of supporting documents that provide guidance on implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality. It is intended to support improvement of water safety within buildings.

What’s Wrong With This Practice? Undercutting Doors, Info-804

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Article discussing the risks that can occur from undercutting bedroom doors to provide return airflow from bedrooms, as well as corrective measures that can be taken to address these risks.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products

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
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.

Winter power outages can lead to generator concerns

Author(s)
University of Missouri Extension
Organization(s)
University of Missouri
Publication Date
Article describing how generators being used for backup power during outages can lead to safety concerns.

Wood Combustion Basics

Author(s)
Curkeet Rick
Organization(s)
Intertek
Publication Date
Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.