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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 - 100 of 124

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance to high wind and hail.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Calculator determining the appropriate design pressures for steep-slope roof coverings for roofers and evlauators.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist highlighting key concepts of wind design uplift pressures and design uplift pressure ratings for proper selection and installation of residential roof covering systems to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 International Residential Code for a FORTIFIED Roof™–New Roof designation.
Author(s)
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Organization(s)
ESFI
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing safe operation of backup electrical generators for use during power outages.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction changes and highlights, on topics including siting, materials, performance, and utilities.
Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Organization(s)
HFSC
Publication Date
Description
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.
Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.
Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.
Author(s)
Diez
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Publication Date
Description
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS Fortified Home
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.
Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.
Author(s)
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.
Author(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
Organization(s)
Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the wildland-urban interface code and providing links to resources.
Author(s)
U.S Green Building Council
Organization(s)
USGBC
Publication Date
Description
Website explaining the LEED v4.1 program and providing a portal for those who want to investigate or start a LEED project.
Author(s)
Natural Disasters Association
Organization(s)
NDA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Description
Website containing USGS-related publications related to natural hazards.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
An NFPA standard for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire sprinklers, including fire pump operation and flow tests, evaluation techniques such as sprinkler inspections, valve status tests, internal piping assessments, and forward flow tests for backflow preventers, and water storage system...
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
This standard provides a benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards and has been adopted in all 50 states.
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
Description
A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
Description
A website providing timely and accurate forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over the contiguous United States.
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumers with general guidance on preparing for and surviving a winter storm.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Description
Website serving as a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet providing tips on how to assemble a kit of food, water and other disaster supplies in the event of an emergency.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage that provides regional guides to help home and business owners prioritize necessary retrofit projects for wildfire resistance.
Author(s)
Geen Business Certification Inc.
Organization(s)
GBCI
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the RELi rating system and leadership standard that takes a holistic approach to resilient design.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the report FEMA P-804 Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings (2010) with a link to this report and gives an overview of FEMA funds for wind retrofit projects.
Author(s)
U.S. Resiliency Council
Organization(s)
USRC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the USRC, which "brings an unparalleled level of capability to the mission of improving community resilience in the built environment."
Author(s)
Green Builder Media
Organization(s)
Green Builder Media
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resilient housing articles that relate to codes, including webinars, training, and guest articles.